Two popular strategies help you pay off multiple debts. Snowball focuses on the smallest balance first; Avalanche targets the highest interest rate. Snowball wins on motivation—you see quick wins and keep going. Avalanche wins on math—you pay less interest overall. Which should you choose? If you struggle to stay consistent, start with Snowball for momentum. If you're disciplined and comfortable waiting longer for your first victory, Avalanche may save you more. Our payoff helper shows both timelines side by side so you can pick the approach that matches your personality.