Snowball vs. Avalanche: Which Debt Payoff Method Saves You More Money?
The avalanche method wins on math, but the snowball method wins on momentum. Learn how each strategy works and which one fits your personality and balance sheet.
Model both payoff strategies
Compare payoff dates and interest costs for snowball vs avalanche.
Avalanche: highest interest first
The avalanche method targets the highest APR first, minimizing total interest paid. It's the mathematically optimal strategy.
Snowball: smallest balance first
The snowball method knocks out small balances quickly for psychological wins. That momentum helps many people stay consistent long enough to finish.
Which method wins for you?
If you're disciplined and want to minimize interest, go avalanche. If you need quick wins to stay motivated, snowball can be more sustainable.
Anand Godar
Financial engineer and founder of QuantCurb. Former fintech data scientist building institutional-grade calculators for everyday wealth decisions.
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