Snowball method
Debt snowball calculator
The debt snowball method sends extra money to the smallest balance first while minimum payments continue on every other debt.
| Strength | Tradeoff | Compare against |
|---|---|---|
| Quick first payoff | May cost more interest | Avalanche |
| Simple order | May ignore APR pressure | Balanced |
What to know
What it prioritizes
Snowball prioritizes early wins and simplicity. It can be useful when motivation matters more than pure interest optimization.
Where it can fall short
If the smallest balance has a low APR while a larger card has a very high APR, snowball can cost more interest than avalanche or another strategy.
Best way to use it
Use snowball as one strategy in a comparison, not as the only possible answer.
FAQ
Does snowball save the most interest?
Not usually. Snowball is designed around smallest balance first, not lowest total interest.
When does snowball make sense?
It can make sense when quick progress helps you stay consistent and the interest tradeoff is acceptable.
Related reading
Make it personal
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Enter your debts once, choose your goal, and see which debt to pay first.