Question 1

Avalanche vs snowball — which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Avalanche saves the most money by targeting high-interest debt first. Snowball builds momentum by clearing small balances quickly, which some people find motivating. Mathematically, avalanche wins; psychologically, snowball may help you stay on track. Use the comparison cards above to see the difference for your specific debts.

Question 2

How does the debt roll-up work?

Accepted Answer

When a debt is fully paid off, its minimum payment doesn't disappear — it gets added to the payment for the next target debt. This snowballing effect accelerates payoff dramatically. The calculator handles this automatically.

Question 3

Does this work for credit card debt?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Enter each credit card as a separate debt with its current balance, APR, and minimum payment. The calculator will show you the optimal payoff order and exactly how much interest you can save.

Question 4

What extra monthly payment should I use?

Accepted Answer

Even a small extra payment makes a significant difference. Start with whatever you can realistically afford beyond your minimums. The calculator updates in real time so you can experiment with different amounts.

Debt Payoff Calculator