Debt Payoff Planner
Enter your debts and choose a strategy. See exactly when each debt is paid off, how much interest you owe, and how extra payments accelerate your debt-free date.
Your Debts
2/6 debtsAvalanche vs. Snowball: Which Strategy Wins?
Avalanche (highest rate first) is mathematically optimal. By eliminating the most expensive debt first, you pay less total interest over time. If you have a credit card at 22% and a car loan at 6%, avalanche targets the credit card first — every extra dollar you pay saves you 22 cents per year in interest instead of 6.
Snowball (lowest balance first) prioritizes psychology over math. Paying off small debts quickly gives you visible wins that keep motivation high. Research shows many people actually stick to the snowball method longer — and a method you follow beats an optimal method you abandon.
Extra monthly payments are the highest-leverage move in either strategy. Even $50–$100 extra per month can shave years off your payoff timeline and save thousands in interest. Once one debt is paid off, roll its entire minimum payment into the next target — this is the "debt roll" that makes both strategies work.
Quick tip
If the difference in total interest between avalanche and snowball is small (under $500), pick snowball for the motivation boost. If the gap is large — common when you have a high-rate credit card alongside low-rate loans — avalanche is worth the discipline.