Debt payoff: avalanche vs snowball
Compare two ways to clear debt — least interest, or quickest early wins.
Debt payoff: avalanche vs snowball
Avalanche pays the highest interest rate first (less total interest). Snowball pays the smallest balance first (quicker early wins). Both throw every spare dollar at one debt while paying minimums on the rest.
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Show
Debt-free in
2 years 7 months
Total interest paid
$2,318
Avalanche saves
≈ same
Avalanche usually costs less interest; snowball clears individual debts sooner, which some people find easier to stick with. The best plan is the one you keep.
This is a hypothetical illustration, not advice or a prediction. The numbers are made up to show how the math works — real returns vary and can be negative. See the full disclaimer.