Strategies for Paying Off Debt Faster
Learn proven methods like the debt avalanche and snowball approaches to eliminate high-interest debt and achieve financial freedom sooner.
Taking Control of Your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt
percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt can feel overwhelming, suffocating even. Whether it's credit-utilization" title="Try our Credit Utilization Calculator">credit cards, Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Student Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">payment" title="Try our Student Loan Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Student Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Payment Calculator">student loans, auto loans, or medical bills, carrying percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt creates stress and limits your financial options. But with a strategic approach and discipline, you can systematically eliminate percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt and reclaim your financial freedom.
Understanding Your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Landscape
Before you can develop a payoff percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">strategy, you need a complete picture of your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt situation:
Create a percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt rate" title="Try our Sell-Through Rate Calculator">sell-through-rate" title="Try our rate" title="Try our Sell-Through Rate Calculator">Sell-Through Rate Calculator">Inventory
List every percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt you owe with the following information:
- Creditor name
- Current balance
- Rate)">rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest rate (rate" title="Try our Mortgage Rate Calculator">APR)
- Minimum monthly Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Student Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">payment
- Due date
- Type of percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt (credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">credit card, student rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest-rate" title="Try our Effective rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rate Calculator">loan, auto rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest-rate" title="Try our Effective rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rate Calculator">loan, etc.)
Seeing everything in one place can be eye-opening (and sometimes painful), but it's the critical first step toward taking control.
The Two Most Effective Payoff Strategies
The percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Method: Save the Most Money
The percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche method focuses on paying off debts with the highest rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest rates first while making minimum payments on everything else. This approach saves you the most money in rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest over time.
How It Works:
- List all debts from highest to lowest Rate)">rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest rate
- Make minimum payments on all debts
- Put any extra money toward the highest-rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt
- Once that's paid off, roll that Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Student Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">payment into the next-highest rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt
- Repeat until percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-free
Example:
- credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit Card A: $5,000 at 22% rate" title="Try our Mortgage Rate Calculator">APR ($150 minimum)
- credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit Card B: $3,000 at 18% rate" title="Try our Mortgage Rate Calculator">APR ($90 minimum)
- Auto rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest-rate" title="Try our Effective rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rate Calculator">Loan: $15,000 at 6% rate" title="Try our Mortgage Rate Calculator">APR ($300 minimum)
- Student rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest-rate" title="Try our Effective rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rate Calculator">Loan: $20,000 at 4% rate" title="Try our Mortgage Rate Calculator">APR ($200 minimum)
With $1,000 available monthly, you'd pay: $150 + $90 + $300 + $200 = $740 in minimums, leaving $260 extra to attack credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit Card A (22% rate). Once credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit Card A is paid off, you'd put $410/month toward credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit Card B, and so on.
Pros: Mathematically optimal, saves the most money in rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest
Cons: Can feel slow if your highest-rate percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt has a large balance
The percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball Method: Build Momentum
The percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball method focuses on paying off your smallest debts first, regardless of Rate)">rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest rate. This creates psychological wins that keep you motivated.
How It Works:
- List all debts from smallest to largest balance
- Make minimum payments on all debts
- Put any extra money toward the smallest percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt
- Once that's paid off, roll that Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Student Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">payment into the next-smallest percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt
- Repeat, creating a "percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball effect"
Using the same example, you'd attack credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit Card B ($3,000) first, then credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit Card A ($5,000), then the auto rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest-rate" title="Try our Effective rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rate Calculator">loan, and finally the student rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest-rate" title="Try our Effective rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rate Calculator">loan.
Pros: Quick wins boost motivation, psychologically rewarding
Cons: May cost more in rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest over time
Which Method Should You Choose?
Choose percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche if:
- You're motivated by math and conversion-rate" title="Try our Conversion Rate Calculator">optimization
- You have significant high-rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt
- You can stay disciplined without quick wins
- Saving money is your top priority
Choose percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball if:
- You need psychological wins to stay motivated
- You've tried paying off percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt before and failed
- You have several small debts that can be eliminated quickly
- Momentum matters more to you than mathematical perfection
The Truth: The best method is the one you'll actually stick with. A "suboptimal" plan you follow is infinitely better than the "perfect" plan you abandon.
Additional percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Payoff Strategies
Balance Transfer credit-utilization" title="Try our Credit Utilization Calculator">Credit Cards
Many credit-utilization" title="Try our Credit Utilization Calculator">credit cards house" title="Try our What To Offer On A House Calculator">offer 0% rate" title="Try our Mortgage Rate Calculator">APR on balance transfers for 12-21 months:
- How It Works: Transfer high-rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest balances to a 0% rate" title="Try our Mortgage Rate Calculator">APR card
- Typical Fee: 3-5% of the transferred balance
- Key Benefit: Every Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Student Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">payment goes to mortgage-housing-loan" title="Try our Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Calculator">amortization" title="Try our Mortgage housing-loan" title="Try our Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Calculator">Amortization Calculator">principal, not rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest
- Warning: Must pay off before the promotional period ends or you'll face deferred rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest
percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Consolidation Loans
Take out a single rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest-rate" title="Try our Effective rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rate Calculator">loan to pay off multiple higher-rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest debts:
- Best For: credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">Credit card percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt with rates above 15%
- Typical Rates: 6-12% for those with good credit
- Benefit: One Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">Student Student Loan Payment Calculator">Loan Payment Calculator">payment, lower Rate)">rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest rate, fixed payoff date
- percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Risk: Some people rack up credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">credit card percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt again after consolidating
Negotiate Lower rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">Interest Rates
Simply asking your credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">credit card company for a lower rate can work:
- Call your credit-card-payoff" title="Try our Credit Card Payoff Calculator">credit card issuer's customer service
- Explain you've been a good customer and request a rate reduction
- Mention competitive offers you've received
- Success rate: About 50-70% of people who ask receive some reduction
Maximizing Your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Payoff Speed
Find Extra Money in Your Budget
Even small amounts accelerate your payoff timeline significantly:
- $50 extra/month: Can cut years off your payoff timeline
- $100 extra/month: Can save thousands in rate" title="Try our Effective Interest Rate Calculator">interest
- $500 extra/month: Transforms your financial life in 2-3 years
Budget Categories to Trim:
- Dining Out: Cook at Home Affordability Calculator">affordability" title="Try our Home Home Affordability Calculator">Affordability Calculator">home and pack lunches
- Subscriptions: Cancel unused streaming services, gym memberships, apps
- Transportation: Carpool, use public transit, or bike when possible
- california-commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales Tax Calculator">tax" title="Try our California commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales Tax Calculator">tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales Tax Calculator">tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales Tax Calculator">Tax Calculator">New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales Tax Calculator">Tax Calculator">commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">sales-tax-calculator-new-jersey" title="Try our New Jersey commission" title="Try our Sales Commission Calculator">Sales Tax Calculator">Tax Calculator">Shopping: Implement a 30-day rule for non-essential purchases
- Entertainment: Find free alternatives (libraries, parks, free events)
prorated-rent" title="Try our Prorated Rent Calculator">rent-increase" title="Try our prorated-rent" title="Try our Prorated Rent Calculator">Rent Increase Calculator">Increase Your Income
While cutting expenses helps, earning more money can supercharge your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt payoff:
- Side Hustles: Freelancing, gig economy, consulting
- Sell Unused Items: Declutter and generate cash
- Ask for a Raise: Document your value and negotiate
- pay" title="Try our 12-Hour Shift Pay Calculator">Overtime: If available at your job
- Part-Time Job: Temporary second job dedicated entirely to percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt
Avoiding Common percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Payoff Mistakes
- Not Building a Small Emergency Fund First: Save $1,000-$2,000 before aggressively paying percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt to avoid new percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt when emergencies arise
- Ignoring 401(k) Match: Never leave free money on the table—always get the full employer match
- Closing credit-utilization" title="Try our Credit Utilization Calculator">Credit Cards After Payoff: This can hurt your credit-utilization" title="Try our Credit Utilization Calculator">credit score by reducing available credit
- Not Addressing the Root Cause: If overspending got you into percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt, you need a budget and better habits
- Trying to Do Too Much: Balance percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt payoff with Future Value of Annuity Calculator">annuity" title="Try our Time Value of Money Calculator">Present Value of Future Value of Annuity Calculator">Annuity Calculator">retirement savings and emergency fund
- Giving Up After a Setback: One bad month doesn't erase your progress—get back on track
Staying Motivated During Your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt-Free Journey
Track Your Progress Visually
- Create a percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt payoff chart and update it monthly
- Use apps that show your progress and celebrate milestones
- Share your journey with an accountability partner
Celebrate Milestones
- Each percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt paid off deserves recognition (inexpensive celebration!)
- $5,000 paid off, $10,000 paid off, etc.
- Halfway to your goal
Visualize Your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt-Free Life
- What will you do with the money once percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt is gone?
- How will it feel to have no payments?
- What opportunities will open up?
Life After percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt: Protecting Your Progress
Once you're percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-free, protect your hard-won freedom:
- Build a Full Emergency Fund: 3-6 months of expenses
- Pay credit-utilization" title="Try our Credit Utilization Calculator">Credit Cards in Full: Never carry a balance again
- Redirect percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Payments: Put former percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt payments toward Future Value of Annuity Calculator">annuity" title="Try our Time Value of Money Calculator">Present Value of Future Value of Annuity Calculator">Annuity Calculator">retirement and goals
- Use the One-Month Rule: Can you pay cash for it in full next month? If not, you can't afford it
- Stay on a Budget: Continue tracking spending to maintain control
Your Action Plan
- Create your complete percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt rate" title="Try our Sell-Through Rate Calculator">sell-through-rate" title="Try our rate" title="Try our Sell-Through Rate Calculator">Sell-Through Rate Calculator">inventory today
- Choose percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche or percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-snowball-avalanche" title="Try our percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator">Avalanche Calculator">snowball method
- Calculate how much extra you can pay monthly
- Set up automatic payments to avoid missed payments
- Track progress and celebrate small wins
- Stay focused on your percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-free goal
Remember: Thousands of people become percentage-rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">return" title="Try our Percentage rate" title="Try our Interest Rate Calculator">Return Calculator">Loss Given Default)">debt-free every day. With a plan, discipline, and persistence, you can be one of them.
Try These Related Calculators
Put these concepts into practice with our interactive calculators
Continue Learning
Real Estate Investing: ROI and Cash Flow Analysis
Evaluate rental properties with comprehensive analysis of cash flow, cap rates, and return on investment to make informed real estate decisions.
Debt Payoff Strategies: Avalanche vs Snowball Method
Avalanche or Snowball? Choosing the right debt payoff strategy can save you thousands in interest or keep you motivated to finish. Discover which method fits your financial personality.
The Ultimate Guide to Retirement Planning
Everything you need to know about planning your retirement. From 401(k)s and IRAs to Social Security and healthcare costs, this guide covers the roadmap to a secure future.