Debt Payoff Planner

Every debt, one plan, two strategies — pick your way out.

How to build your debt payoff plan

  1. List every debt. Name, balance, APR, minimum payment — cards, loans, all of it.
  2. Set your extra. The monthly amount beyond minimums you'll attack debt with.
  3. Choose avalanche or snowball. Math-optimal vs motivation-optimal.
  4. Press Calculate. Debt-free date, total interest, both strategies, and the exact payoff order.

Frequently asked questions

Snowball or avalanche — which should I pick?

Avalanche (highest APR first) costs less, always. Snowball (smallest first) feels better, which matters if you'll quit otherwise. The calculator prices both so it's an informed choice.

How does the snowball effect work?

When a debt is cleared, its old minimum payment gets added to your attack amount. Your monthly debt payment stays constant, but it concentrates on fewer debts — accelerating the finish.

What if I can only pay minimums?

Then the plan is just the slow road — the calculator will show exactly how slow, which is often the motivation to find extra dollars.

Should I consolidate first?

Sometimes: one lower-rate loan can beat juggling five high-APR cards. But consolidation only works if you stop adding new debt.

In what order does avalanche attack?

Highest APR first, ties broken by smaller balance. Every dollar kills the most expensive interest first.

Is this financial advice?

No. Planning estimates only — nonprofit credit counselors help for free when debt is serious.

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