Debt Payoff Planner
Compare avalanche vs snowball, estimate your debt-free date, and see how your monthly debt budget changes payoff time, total interest, and payoff order across multiple balances.
Last updated:
Planner inputs
| Name | Balance | APR % | Min payment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total starting debt: $11,200.00. The planner pays minimums first, then sends the remaining budget to the current avalanche target.
Debt-free in
1 yr, 8 mo
By Dec 2027
Total interest
$2,288.05
Total paid
$13,488.05
Payoff order
3 debts
Store Card → Visa → Mastercard
Strategy comparison
Same balances and budget — different payoff order.
Selected · avalanche
- Payoff time: 1 yr, 8 mo
- Payoff date: Dec 2027
- Total interest: $2,288.05
Alternative · snowball
- Payoff time: 1 yr, 8 mo
- Payoff date: Dec 2027
- Total interest: $2,423.33
vs snowball: same payoff time, $135.28 less interest.
Monthly payoff schedule
First 18 months of the simulation.
| # | Date | Starting | Payment | Interest | Ending | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 2026 | $11,200.00 | $700.00 | $224.51 | $10,724.51 | Store Card |
| 2 | Jun 2026 | $10,724.51 | $700.00 | $213.40 | $10,237.91 | Store Card |
| 3 | Jul 2026 | $10,237.91 | $700.00 | $202.04 | $9,739.95 | Store Card |
| 4 | Aug 2026 | $9,739.95 | $700.00 | $190.40 | $9,230.35 | Store Card |
| 5 | Sep 2026 | $9,230.35 | $700.00 | $178.49 | $8,708.84 | Visa |
| 6 | Oct 2026 | $8,708.84 | $700.00 | $166.69 | $8,175.53 | Visa |
| 7 | Nov 2026 | $8,175.53 | $700.00 | $155.90 | $7,631.43 | Visa |
| 8 | Dec 2026 | $7,631.43 | $700.00 | $144.90 | $7,076.33 | Visa |
| 9 | Jan 2027 | $7,076.33 | $700.00 | $133.68 | $6,510.01 | Visa |
| 10 | Feb 2027 | $6,510.01 | $700.00 | $122.23 | $5,932.24 | Visa |
| 11 | Mar 2027 | $5,932.24 | $700.00 | $110.55 | $5,342.79 | Visa |
| 12 | Apr 2027 | $5,342.79 | $700.00 | $98.62 | $4,741.41 | Visa |
| 13 | May 2027 | $4,741.41 | $700.00 | $86.46 | $4,127.87 | Visa |
| 14 | Jun 2027 | $4,127.87 | $700.00 | $74.04 | $3,501.91 | Visa |
| 15 | Jul 2027 | $3,501.91 | $700.00 | $61.38 | $2,863.29 | Visa |
| 16 | Aug 2027 | $2,863.29 | $700.00 | $48.47 | $2,211.76 | Visa |
| 17 | Sep 2027 | $2,211.76 | $700.00 | $35.28 | $1,547.04 | Mastercard |
| 18 | Oct 2027 | $1,547.04 | $700.00 | $24.37 | $871.41 | Mastercard |
Formula
Monthly rate = APR ÷ 12
Monthly interest = Current balance × Monthly rate
Principal reduction = Payment − Interest
New balance = Old balance + Interest − Payment
Avalanche sends extra money to the highest-APR debt first; snowball sends extra to the smallest balance first.
How to calculate
- Enter each debt with balance, APR, and minimum payment.
- Set your total monthly debt budget across all balances.
- Choose avalanche (highest APR) or snowball (smallest balance).
- Review debt-free date, total interest, total paid, and payoff order.
- Raise the budget to test how faster payoff changes the outcome.
Worked example
Three debts — a $6,200 Visa at 24.99%, a $1,800 store card at 29.99%, and a $3,200 Mastercard at 18.9% — with a $700 monthly debt budget. The planner covers minimums first, then sends the remaining money to the avalanche or snowball target. Avalanche usually saves more interest; snowball clears small balances sooner for motivation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between avalanche and snowball?
Avalanche targets the highest APR first and usually minimizes total interest. Snowball targets the smallest balance first and may feel more motivating because balances disappear sooner.
Does this planner include new purchases, late fees, or transfer fees?
No. It assumes no new purchases, no late fees, and no balance transfer fees during the payoff period.
What if my monthly budget is below the sum of minimum payments?
The planner will still simulate, but results may show very slow progress or incomplete payoff because the budget may not be enough to reduce balances meaningfully.
How is this different from the Credit Card Payoff Calculator?
The Credit Card Payoff Calculator focuses on a single card and payment-strategy testing. This planner is built for multiple balances with one shared monthly budget and a payoff order across all of them.
Related calculators
Educational guides
Short explainers covering the math and concepts behind this calculator.
This debt payoff planner provides educational estimates only. Actual interest, minimum payments, statement timing, late fees, promotional APRs, and issuer rules can change real-world results.