Snowball vs avalanche: which method wins
The avalanche method targets the highest interest rate first. It saves you the most money and gets you out of debt fastest on paper, because you starve the most expensive balances first.
The snowball method targets the smallest balance first. It costs slightly more in interest, but it clears whole debts quickly, and those early wins keep many people motivated enough to actually finish. The best method is the one you will stick with. Try both in the tracker and compare the numbers side by side.
The power of an extra payment
Paying only the minimums keeps you in debt for years because most of each payment goes to interest. Adding even a small fixed amount on top, applied consistently to one target debt, dramatically shortens the timeline. Adjust the extra payment field and watch your debt-free date move to see the effect for yourself.
As each debt is cleared, roll its payment into the next one. This is what makes both methods accelerate over time: your total monthly payment stays the same, but more of it attacks the remaining balance every month.
These free tools provide general estimates for educational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or investment advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional.