Debt Payoff Strategist
Compare Avalanche, Snowball, and Hybrid strategies to find the best way to pay off your debts.
Compare Avalanche, Snowball, and Hybrid strategies to find the best way to pay off your debts.
Amount you can pay each month beyond all minimum payments
Total monthly: ₹12,000 (₹7,000 minimums + ₹5,000 extra)
Total Debt
₹2,00,000
Avg. Interest Rate
19.0%
Monthly Budget
₹12,000
Pay highest interest rate first
Debt-Free In
1 year 10 months
Total Interest
₹38,642
Total Payment
₹2,38,642
Payoff Order
Pay smallest balance first
Debt-Free In
2 years
Total Interest
₹48,481
Total Payment
₹2,48,481
Payoff Order
Quick win, then highest interest
Debt-Free In
1 year 10 months
Total Interest
₹38,642
Total Payment
₹2,38,642
Payoff Order
By choosing Avalanche, you save
₹9,839
in interest compared to the least optimal strategy
| Month | Payment | Remaining | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,91,583 | |
| 2 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,83,010 | |
| 3 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,74,277 | |
| 4 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,65,382 | |
| 5 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,56,321 | |
| 6 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,47,091 | |
| 7 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,37,689 | |
| 8 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,28,112 | |
| 9 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,18,356 | |
| 10 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,08,418 | |
| 11 | ₹12,000 | ₹98,294 | |
| 12 | ₹12,000 | ₹87,981 |
When you have multiple debts, the order in which you pay them off can significantly impact how much interest you pay and how quickly you become debt-free. This calculator compares three popular strategies to help you find the best approach for your situation.
The avalanche method prioritizes debts with the highest interest rates first. While paying minimum payments on all debts, you put any extra money toward the debt charging the most interest. This is mathematically optimal and saves the most money in interest charges over time.
The snowball method focuses on smallest balances first. You pay off the smallest debt first, then roll that payment into the next smallest. While you may pay more interest overall, the quick wins provide psychological motivation that helps many people stay committed to their debt payoff journey.
The hybrid approach combines the best of both strategies. It starts with a quick win by paying off the smallest debt that can be eliminated within 3 months, then switches to the avalanche method for optimal interest savings. This gives you early motivation while still minimizing total interest paid.
Stay consistent: The best strategy is the one you can stick with. If motivation is your challenge, consider snowball. If pure math drives you, choose avalanche.
Avoid new debt: While paying off existing debt, avoid taking on new debt. This prevents the cycle from continuing and accelerates your path to being debt-free.
Build an emergency fund: Having even ₹25,000-50,000 set aside prevents you from going back into debt when unexpected expenses arise.
Enter your debts with their current balances, interest rates, and minimum monthly payments. Then specify how much extra you can pay each month beyond all minimums. The calculator simulates each strategy month by month, showing exactly when each debt gets paid off and how much interest you pay.
All calculations assume you continue making the same total monthly payment (minimums + extra) until all debts are paid. Interest is calculated monthly based on annual rates.