Sample output
Made on 27 October 2026
Arithmetic assumptions
- Starting balances: Card A $3,200 at 34% APR, Card B $1,100 at 29% APR, car loan $8,500 at 9% APR.
- Total debt budget is $600/month, including minimums.
- Interest is calculated monthly as APR ÷ 12, then payments are applied; figures are rounded to cents.
- Card minimums remain $96 and $40 until payoff; the car payment is $320. Freed payments immediately roll to the current target.
- No new charges, fees, missed payments, APR changes, or prepayment penalties. Final payments may be smaller than $600.
- The stated car terms are internally inconsistent: $8,500 at 9% with $320/month amortizes in about 31 months, not 30. The projections use the balance, APR, and $320 payment.
- “Months to clear” means the payoff month counted from now; Month 1 is the first payment month.
| Strategy | Payoff order | Months to clear each debt | Total interest | Finish month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | Card A → Card B → Car | A: 14; B: 18; Car: 23 | ≈ $2,176.86 | 23 |
| Snowball | Card B → Card A → Car | B: 8; A: 17; Car: 23 | ≈ $2,220.95 | 23 |
Recommendation: Use the avalanche because it targets the 34% card first and saves about $44 in interest under these assumptions. The snowball is reasonable instead if clearing Card B earlier would materially improve your motivation and consistency.
First six months
| Month | Strategy | Card A payment | Card B payment | Car payment | End Card A | End Card B | End Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avalanche | $240.00 | $40.00 | $320.00 | $3,050.67 | $1,086.58 | $8,243.75 |
| 1 | Snowball | $96.00 | $184.00 | $320.00 | $3,194.67 | $942.58 | $8,243.75 |
| 2 | Avalanche | $240.00 | $40.00 | $320.00 | $2,897.10 | $1,072.84 | $7,985.58 |
| 2 | Snowball | $96.00 | $184.00 | $320.00 | $3,189.19 | $781.36 | $7,985.58 |
| 3 | Avalanche | $240.00 | $40.00 | $320.00 | $2,739.18 | $1,058.77 | $7,725.47 |