Highest APR first
Pay off highest interest debt first
Paying the highest-interest debt first is the core idea behind the debt avalanche method.
What to know
When it helps
This approach can reduce interest when the highest APR debt is meaningfully more expensive than the rest.
When to compare
If the high-APR debt is large, payoff may feel slow. Compare first payoff timing and total interest before choosing.
FAQ
Is highest interest first the same as avalanche?
Yes. The debt avalanche method generally targets the highest APR debt first.
Can highest interest first be too aggressive?
The order may be sound, but the payment amount still needs to fit your monthly cash flow.
Related reading
Make it personal
Build your payoff plan from your real numbers.
Enter your debts once, choose your goal, and see which debt to pay first.