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Honest Figures

Debt

Debt Payoff Calculator

With $300 extra a month on top of the minimums, these three debts clear in about 2 yr 5 mo using the avalanche method, and you pay $1,662 in interest along the way. Snowball takes a touch longer and costs a little more, but clears your smallest balance first. Edit the balances, rates and minimum payments below, set your extra, and switch methods to compare.
Debt Payoff
2 yr 5 mo
to debt-free, avalanche method
BalanceRateMin / mo
$300
Interest you'll pay−$1,662
Total paid$15,662
Debt-free in2 yr 5 mo

Two ways to attack it

Avalanche sends your extra money at the highest interest rate first, which saves the most. Snowball goes after the smallest balance first, which costs a little more but hands you a quick win, and that momentum keeps a lot of people going. If the difference in interest is small, pick the one you will actually stick with. The single biggest lever is the extra payment, not the method, so drag that slider and watch the finish line move.

Assumes you keep paying the same total each month and roll finished payments onto the next debt. Rates are annual. Not financial advice. There's a full write-up in our snowball vs avalanche guide.

Common questions

Is snowball or avalanche faster?

Avalanche is usually a little faster and always costs the least, because it kills the highest rate first. Snowball costs slightly more but gives you an early win.

Does paying extra really help?

A lot. Minimums are built to keep you paying for years, so every extra dollar hits the balance directly and cuts both the time and the interest.