Understand the result
Motivation versus mathematical interest savings
Snowball and avalanche are not different payment amounts; they are different rules for deciding where the extra money goes after every required minimum is covered.
Avalanche often minimizes interest, while snowball can eliminate individual accounts sooner. The best behavioral plan is the one you can follow, but this calculator lets you see the mathematical tradeoff first.
Compare more than the winner
- Look at total interest, not just payoff month.
- Look at which account disappears first.
- Consider whether early wins or lower cost matter more to your follow-through.