Debt Avalanche: A Decisive Method to Pay Off Credit Cards

Can you make disciplined financial decisions, even if the benefits aren’t immediate?

Tally
Tally
Sep 7, 2018 · 4 min read

Originally published at www.meettally.com on September 7, 2018.

In the world of financial advice, there are two common debt repayment strategies: the debt snowball method and the debt avalanche method.

They’re usually pitted against one another in a wintery welterweight bout — Snowball vs. Avalanche: Who Reigns Supreme? — but both have something to offer.

Let’s put the hyperbole on ice and dig into the details.

What’s the Debt Snowball Method?

The debt snowball method prioritizes your balances. You pay off your credit card debts from smallest balance to largest balance, regardless of the interest rate, while paying the minimum on the rest.

With the debt snowball method, you see quicker results. Credit card debt can be frustrating, and those small victories can be empowering. They can help build confidence and keep you motivated to get rid of your debt entirely.

Here’s how it works: You have three credit cards with outstanding balances of $2,000, $4,000 and $6,000. With the debt snowball method, you pay the minimum on your $4,000 and $6,000 credit card balances, then put as much as you can afford toward the $2,000 balance.

By tackling the smallest balance first, you’ll clear the debt faster — and that momentum can have a snowball effect as you move on to address your remaining balances.

What’s the Debt Avalanche Method?

The debt avalanche method prioritizes your interest rates. You pay off your credit card debts from highest interest rate to lowest interest rate, regardless of the balance.

With the debt avalanche method, you save money on interest and, ultimately, pay off your credit card debt faster.

Here’s how it works: You have three credit cards with outstanding balances of $2,000, $4,000 and $6,000. With the debt avalanche method, you pay the minimum on your $2,000 and $4,000 credit card balances, then put as much as you can afford toward the $6,000 balance.

By tackling your highest interest rates first, you save money in the long run. You won’t experience the quick, small victories that come with the debt snowball method, but that first big victory can make a major impact (kind of like an avalanche).

What’s the Best Way to Repay My Debt?

The debt snowball and debt avalanche methods can both help you achieve your goal. The question of which strategy is best boils down to your individual needs.

Do you need that extra bump of motivation? Would a few small victories inspire you to push harder toward your goal of becoming debt-free? If that sounds like you, the debt snowball method may be right for you.

Consider the pros and cons of the debt snowball method:

Pros:

  • Paying off smaller balances will yield quick results
  • Those small victories can be a motivational tool
  • Fewer outstanding balances can reduce stress

Cons:

  • Ignoring higher interest rates could cost you more money
  • Higher interest rates increase your total amount of debt
  • Increasing your debt means you’ll be in debt longer

Are you losing a big chunk of money to interest payments every month? Can you make disciplined decisions, even if the benefits aren’t immediate? If that feels right, the debt avalanche method may be a better fit.

Are you losing a big chunk of money to interest payments every month? Can you make disciplined decisions, even if the benefits aren’t immediate? If that feels right, the debt avalanche method may be a better fit.

Consider the pros and cons of the debt avalanche method:

Pros:

  • Paying off balances with higher interest rates will save you money over time
  • Tackling higher interest rates first decrease your debt
  • Decreasing your debt means you’ll be out of debt quicker

Cons:

  • Prioritizing high interest rates requires patience
  • Motivation can be hard to sustain without immediate results
  • More outstanding balances can cause stress

If you’re still unsure, use an online calculator to see exactly how the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods can help you. Figure out how long it will take to be free from credit card debt and how much you’ll spend in interest.

Bottom line: The small victories that come with the debt snowball method are encouraging, but the debt avalanche method is the most effective and efficient way to get out of credit card debt.

Tally

The world’s first automated debt manager

Tally

Written by

Tally

Making it easier to save money, manage credit cards and pay down balances faster. | meettally.com

Tally

Tally

The world’s first automated debt manager

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