See exactly how long it takes to become debt-free under the Avalanche method versus the Snowball method — and how much interest each will cost you.
Attacks the highest-APR debt first. Saves the most money overall.
Attacks the smallest balance first. Quick wins build momentum.
The debate between Avalanche and Snowball is one of the oldest in personal finance. On paper, the Avalanche always wins. By targeting the highest interest rate first, you pay less total interest and escape debt sooner. A calculator will tell you that, every time.
But people are not calculators. A landmark study from the Kellogg School at Northwestern found that consumers who followed the Snowball method — paying off their smallest balance first, regardless of interest rate — were significantly more likely to eliminate their debt entirely. The quick wins created momentum. Momentum beat math.
If you have the discipline of a monk and can stay motivated by spreadsheets alone, run the Avalanche. You'll save the most money. If you've tried to pay off debt before and fallen off the wagon, run the Snowball. The emotional payoff of crossing debts off your list is a feature, not a bug.
There's also a hybrid worth considering: tackle any small debts under $500 first for a quick win, then switch to Avalanche for the rest. Best of both worlds.
Both methods assume you're making an extra payment every month. Without that, you're just making minimums — and minimums are designed by lenders to keep you in debt for decades. Find $50, $100, $200 a month. Sell something. Pick up a side gig. That extra payment is the single biggest lever you have.
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