Debt Snowball Calculator – Momentum for Fast Wins

Pay smallest debts first to build momentum. Calculate your timeline, interest, and payoff order with our snowball calculator.

Published on 9/15/2025

Debt Snowball Calculator – Momentum for Fast Wins

How the snowball works

  1. List debts by balance (small → large)
  2. Pay minimums on all
  3. Put all extra toward the smallest
  4. Roll freed payment to the next debt

Calculator inputs

  • Debts: balance, APR, minimum
  • Extra payoff budget
  • Optional: expected income boosts

Outputs

  • Payoff order and dates
  • Interest paid and saved vs minimums
  • Motivation milestones ("first debt gone" date)

Best for

  • Many small balances
  • Motivation challenges
  • Simplicity preference

Tips

  • Automate payments and rounding‑up
  • Celebrate each payoff to sustain momentum
  • Pair with micro‑side hustles for faster results

Walkthrough example

Starting debts:

  • Store Card: $800 @ 24% (min $25)
  • Card B: $2,400 @ 18% (min $60)
  • Loan C: $6,000 @ 9% (min $120)
  • Extra payoff: $300/mo

Month‑by‑month snapshot

  • Months 1–2: Store Card gone → roll $25 to Card B
  • Months 3–8: Card B gone → roll $85 to Loan C
  • Months 9–? : Attack Loan C with $120 + $385

Result: Debt‑free faster with visible wins; total interest lower than minimums‑only by $X.


Related

  • Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator: /calculator/snowball-vs-avalanche-calculator
  • Debt Avalanche Calculator: /calculator/debt-avalanche-calculator
  • Budget Calculator: /calculator/02-budget-calculator

Related keywords we cover

  • small balance strategy, motivation-based debt payoff
  • debt payoff milestones, visual progress tracker
  • automate extra payment, round‑up savings for debt
debt snowball calculatordebt payoff calculatordebt reductionpersonal finance