The avalanche method pays the highest-APR debt first — mathematically the fastest, cheapest way out. Enter your debts to see the exact order, your debt-free date, and what an extra payment saves you in interest.
Highest APR first — that’s the avalanche. Pay the minimum on everything, throw every spare dollar at #1, then roll its payment onto #2 as each falls.
The snowball method pays the smallest balance first for quick wins; the avalanche pays the highest APR first. Avalanche always costs less in interest — the only question is how much less on your specific debts, and whether the motivational boost of an early win is worth that price to you.
On the debts above with $200/mo extra: avalanche saves $516 in interest vs snowball.
Debt Engine runs avalanche by default and supports snowball and a hybrid — plus deadline overrides that jump a 0% buy-now-pay-later promo to the front before its retroactive interest hits, something neither classic method accounts for.
A one-time number is a start. Debt Engine tracks every debt, watches your BNPL deadlines, and earmarks the two “extra” paychecks a year that actually get you to zero — then redirects them to retirement once you’re debt-free. No bank login, no signup to try it.