When it comes to your credit card debt, you have two main choices when it comes to paying it off: the snowball method or the avalanche method. There are many pros and cons to each strategy and no one debt repayment strategy is better than the other, so it really comes down to what makes the most sense to you in your personal situation based on how much money you earn, how much debt you owe, and what kind of interest rates you’re paying on that debt.
The Snowball Method
The Snowball Method is a debt repayment strategy where you start by paying off your smallest debt first, while making minimum payments on your other debts. Once your smallest debt is paid off, you roll the money you were using to pay it off into paying off your next smallest debt, and so on, until all of your debts are paid. The most important thing with this method is that you should not spend any extra money (beyond what you already budgeted) because then you won’t have enough to pay for larger debts later on in the process. If you find yourself running out of funds before you’ve paid off a debt, then take some time and make sure that your budget reflects this so that it doesn’t happen again.
The Avalanche Method
The avalanche method is a debt repayment strategy where you focus on paying off your debts with the highest interest rates first. This method saves you money in the long run because you’re paying less in interest. To use this method, list your debts from highest to lowest interest rate and make the minimum payments on all of your debts except the one with the highest interest rate. Once you’ve paid off that debt, move on to the next debt on your list. Repeat until you have paid off all of your debts. Although this may seem like an easy method, it’s not necessarily an effective one. Why? Well, if you only have a few small balances on low-interest credit cards and student loans, it could take years before you get any real benefit from this method because most of your payments are going towards more expensive balances with higher interest rates instead.
The Stair Step Method
This strategy entails making the minimum payment on all debts except for the one with the highest interest rate. Once that debt is paid off, you move on to the next debt with the second highest interest rate and so on. This method saves you money in interest over time and can help you get out of debt faster. However, it requires discipline to follow through. If you have trouble sticking to a plan, consider a different option like the Debt Snowball Method below. The basic idea behind this method is to focus on paying off your smallest balance first, which should give you motivation to keep going. After each balance has been paid in full, use any extra funds to go towards your larger balances until they are also paid off.
The Divide and Conquer Method
This debt repayment strategy involves attacking your debts one by one, starting with the debt with the highest interest rate. The logic behind this method is that you’ll save more money in the long run by paying off your most expensive debt first. To do this, list out all of your debts from highest interest rate to lowest and make minimum payments on all except the one with the highest interest rate. Pay the maximum payment possible for the highest-interest-rate debt each month until it’s paid off. Once it’s paid off, repeat the process for your next high-interest-rate debt, and so on until all of your debts are paid off.
The Fast Track Method
This strategy involves making the minimum payment on all debts except for the one with the highest interest rate. Once that debt is paid off, you move on to the next debt with the second highest interest rate and so on. This method saves you money in interest payments in the long run, but can be difficult to stick to if you have a lot of debt. It may also take longer than other methods depending on how much debt you have. The Snowball Method of Debt Repayment: With this method, debts are repaid from smallest to largest amounts owed, regardless of their interest rates. When the smallest amount owed is paid off, its remaining balance gets added to the balance owed on the next-smallest account until it too is cleared.
The Quadratic Formula Method
This debt repayment strategy is great for those who have a lot of debt and want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. The quadratic equation will help you figure out how much you need to pay each month in order to be debt-free within a certain number of years. If your monthly payment changes at any point, the equations can be recalculated and updated accordingly. If you’re not sure about anything, remember that there are plenty of online calculators that can do all the math for you! Some good ones include Credit Karma’s Quadratic Formula Calculator, CreditOne’s Monthly Payment Calculator, and Chase’s Debt Reduction Calculator. All three sites also provide helpful guides on their websites with step-by-step instructions on how to use their tools to find out what plan works best for you.
Other Important Things to Know About Choosing a Debt Repayment Strategy
-Your debt repayment strategy should be based on your unique financial situation.
-There is no one-size-fits-all approach to debt repayment.
-You may need to try out different strategies before you find the one that works best for you.
-There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a debt repayment strategy, including your overall financial goals, the types of debt you have, and your risk tolerance.
-A debt management plan can help consolidate your debts into one manageable monthly payment, regardless of whether or not they are secured or unsecured.
-If you have high-interest rate credit card balances with a balance over $5,000 and low income, it might make sense to pursue consumer bankruptcy as an option. Consumer bankruptcy will give you up to seven years to get back on track with your finances. If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, most of your assets will be liquidated and the proceeds are given to creditors. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you’ll work with a trustee who will create a personalized repayment plan tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
Final Thoughts
No matter which debt repayment strategy you choose, the important thing is that you get started! The sooner you start paying off your debt, the sooner you’ll be free from its burden. If you’re not sure where to start, sit down and create a budget. This will help you see where your money is going and where you can cut back in order to put more towards your debt. And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a financial advisor or counselor.