Snowball or Avalanche? How to Pay Off Debt Based on Who You Are, Not Just What You Owe

Paying off debt is usually framed as a math problem. But if you’ve ever felt stuck, scared, or ashamed while looking at your balances you already know that debt is emotional.

And that’s OK.

The good news? There are multiple ways to tackle debt, and you don’t have to choose the “smartest” method. You just have to choose the one that fits you.

Method 1: The Snowball

What it is:
List your debts from smallest to largest. Pay minimums on everything else, and throw any extra money at the smallest balance first.

Why it works:
It creates quick wins and momentum.
You pay off 1–2 debts faster, feel encouraged, and stay motivated.

This is a good fit if you:

• Need quick wins to stay motivated
  
• Are emotionally drained by looking at too many open accounts
  
• Are ready to build confidence through action  

Method 2: The Avalanche

What it is:
List debts by interest rate, highest to lowest. Pay off the ones with the most expensive interest first to save the most money over time.

Why it works:
It reduces the total amount of interest you pay over time.

This is a good fit if you:

• Feel steady and math-driven
  
• Don’t mind slower progress if the long-term payoff is bigger
  
• Have larger debts with high interest rates (credit cards, personal loans) 

Which One Is Better?

Whichever one you’ll stick with. That’s not a cop-out. It’s the truth.

You’re not “bad at money” if you choose momentum over math.
You’re not “too emotional” if you want to feel progress right away.

Your debt payoff plan should support your mindset—not punish it. For the record, I recommend snowball method 100% of the time.

Want to know Which Method Fits You Best?

Take my free Money Style Quiz to find out whether the Snowball or Avalanche method is the best fit for your personality, priorities, and energy.

✅ It takes less than 2 minutes
✅ It’s judgment-free and super practical
✅ You’ll get a custom recommendation with next steps

👉 Take the quiz HERE 

Final Thought

Paying off debt is hard but living without debt means you get to spend your time, energy, and money on what you want instead of what you owe. 

Don’t try to be perfect, start in a way that feels good enough to keep going.