Compare snowball vs avalanche — see which saves you more
Both the debt snowball and avalanche methods focus on paying off one debt at a time while making minimum payments on the rest. The difference is which debt you target first.
Debt snowball focuses on the smallest balance first, regardless of interest rate. You pay it off quickly, get a psychological win, then "snowball" that payment into the next smallest debt. This method is popular because it builds momentum — you see debts disappearing faster, which keeps you motivated.
Debt avalanche targets the highest interest rate first. This is mathematically optimal — you'll pay less total interest and typically become debt-free slightly sooner. However, if your highest-rate debt also has the largest balance, it can take months before you eliminate your first debt.
If you need motivation and quick wins, use snowball. If you want to minimize total interest paid, use avalanche. This calculator shows both side by side so you can see the exact difference in months and dollars for your specific situation.
Canceling even one $15/month subscription frees up $180/year for debt payoff.
Open Subscription Tracker →Subscription Tracker — Cancel subscriptions and redirect savings to debt
50/30/20 Budget Calculator — Budget your income to maximize debt payments
Net Worth Calculator — See how paying off debt changes your net worth
Paycheck Budget Calculator — Allocate each paycheck toward debt payoff
Subscription Costs in 2026 — Money you could redirect to debt
Paycheck Budgeting Guide — Budget system that prioritizes debt payoff