Shared foundation for both methods
- Make all minimum payments (protect credit and fees).
- Create one “extra debt” dollar amount from cash flow.
- Throw every extra dollar at the current target debt.
- When a debt dies, roll its payment into the next target.
Avalanche
Order by highest APR to lowest. Best when interest gaps are wide (for example 27% card vs 7% auto) and you can tolerate slower visible wins.
Snowball
Order by lowest balance to highest. Best when you need momentum and past plans died from complexity.
| Situation | Lean toward |
|---|---|
| Large APR spread | Avalanche |
| Multiple tiny balances causing stress | Snowball |
| History of abandoned spreadsheets | Snowball or hybrid |
| Strong systems, stable income | Avalanche |
Hybrid that still respects math
Clear one micro-balance for a quick win, then switch to highest APR. Write the rule down so hybrid does not become random.
Track progress monthly. If extras disappear, fix cash flow with Net salary and a budget reset before blaming the method.
Metrics that matter
- Total interest projected under each order.
- Months to first debt eliminated.
- Months to debt-free date.
- Adherence: did you actually pay the extra?
Disclaimer: Educational only.