Credit & Cash Flow Calculators
Debt Payoff Planner
Compare debt payoff strategies, estimate your debt-free date, and see how extra payments may reduce interest over time.
Debt payoff can feel overwhelming when every balance, APR, and minimum payment is different. This planner compares common strategies like avalanche and snowball, then estimates payoff timing, interest cost, and how extra payments may change the path.
Educational estimate only. This calculator is not financial, legal, credit, debt, or professional advice.
Add your balances, APRs, and minimum payments. The planner compares payoff strategies using a month-by-month estimate.
Jump to resultsDebt list
Include the debts you want modeled. Excluded debts stay visible but do not affect the result.
Debt 1
Lower numbers are paid first when custom order is selected.
Debt 2
Lower numbers are paid first when custom order is selected.
Debt 3
Lower numbers are paid first when custom order is selected.
Monthly payoff plan
Choose how extra payments are directed and whether freed-up minimum payments keep rolling forward.
Rolling payments forward usually speeds up payoff because the same total monthly amount keeps attacking the next balance.
Optional one-time payment
Model a bonus, tax refund, or other one-time amount without changing the monthly plan.
Optional balance transfer scenario
This is a simple educational scenario, not an approval estimate or specific card recommendation.
Scenario presets
Use a preset to test a common payoff setup, then fine-tune the inputs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the debt avalanche method?+
Avalanche targets the highest APR debt first while making minimum payments on the others. It often estimates the lowest interest cost.
What is the debt snowball method?+
Snowball targets the smallest balance first. It may cost more interest than avalanche, but some people like seeing smaller balances disappear sooner.
Which payoff strategy saves the most interest?+
Based purely on APR math, avalanche usually saves the most interest. The exact difference depends on your balances, rates, minimum payments, and extra payment.
Why does rolling payments forward matter?+
Rolling payments forward keeps your total monthly payoff amount working after one debt is paid off, which can shorten the overall timeline.
What happens if my minimum payment does not cover interest?+
The balance may grow or fail to pay down. The planner shows a warning when a user-entered minimum payment appears too low for the monthly interest.
Is a balance transfer always worth it?+
No. Fees, promo length, future APR, payment amount, and eligibility all matter. This calculator only models a simple educational scenario.
Does this calculator include credit score effects?+
No. It does not estimate credit score changes, approval odds, lender rules, or credit reporting effects.
Is this financial advice?+
No. This planner is for educational estimates only and is not financial, legal, credit, debt, bankruptcy, or professional advice.