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Which debt should you clear first?
Snowball against avalanche on your own debts — which order clears them soonest, and which costs least in interest. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Your debts
Credit card
Personal loan
Store account
Anything above the minimums — this is what does the work
Nothing you type is transmitted or stored. This calculator runs entirely in your browser — move a slider and the answer recalculates on this device.
Total owed
R66 500
Snowball
smallest balance first
Clear in
2y 5m
Interest paid
R20 223
Avalanche
highest interest rate first
Clear in
2y 2m
Interest paid
R17 038
Avalanche saves about R3 186 in interest on these figures. Snowball closes an account sooner, which some people need more than the saving. Neither is wrong.
Assumes every account is current, the payment stays constant, interest compounds monthly and you borrow nothing new. Treat it as a comparison between two strategies, not a date to plan around.
Questions about this calculator
What is the difference between snowball and avalanche?
Snowball clears the smallest balance first, so you close accounts sooner and it feels like progress. Avalanche clears the highest interest rate first, so you pay less interest overall. Snowball usually costs a bit more; avalanche usually takes more discipline.
Which one should I use?
Whichever one you will actually stick to. The difference in total interest is often smaller than people expect, and a plan abandoned in month four costs far more than the wrong ordering. This tool shows both and does not pick for you.
Does this work if I am already behind?
No. It assumes every account is current and you can cover the minimums. If you are missing payments or have had a Section 129 letter, the arithmetic here is not your situation — that is what debt review is for.
How accurate is the projection?
It assumes the payment stays constant, interest compounds monthly, and you borrow nothing new. Real months are rarely like that, so treat the result as a comparison between two strategies rather than a date to plan around.
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Want the real number?
A calculator works from what you type. A registered debt counsellor works from your actual credit agreements. The assessment is free and commits you to nothing.
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