Snowball vs Avalanche — what's the difference?
Both methods pay the minimum on every debt, then throw all your spare cash at one target debt until it's gone — then roll that freed-up money onto the next. They differ only in which debt you target first:
- ❄️ Snowball — target the smallest balance first. You clear a whole debt quickly, which feels great and keeps you motivated.
- 🏔️ Avalanche — target the highest interest rate first. This mathematically minimises total interest and usually clears everything soonest.
Which one should you choose?
Avalanche saves the most money — always pick it if the numbers matter most to you. But if you've struggled to stick with debt payoff before, the quick wins from snowball can be worth a little extra interest, because the best plan is the one you actually finish. This calculator shows you the exact cost of that motivation so you can decide with eyes open.
How to make either work
- Always pay at least the minimum on every debt (missing one wrecks your credit).
- Find extra money — even a small amount dramatically shortens the timeline (try changing the "extra" field).
- Don't take on new debt while paying these off.
Why does avalanche save money?
Interest is charged on the rate, so killing the highest-rate debt first stops the most interest from ever being charged.
Is the snowball method really worth more interest?
Often the difference is small, and the behavioural boost helps many people finish. The calculator shows your exact gap so it's an informed choice, not a guess.
What counts as the minimum payment?
The smallest amount your lender requires each month — it's on your statement. Paying only minimums is slow; the "extra" is what clears debt fast.