Step 1 — list every card
Write down each card, its balance, APR, and minimum payment. The snowball ignores APR for ordering — it ranks purely by balance.
Multi-card payoff calculator
$
%
$
$
%
$
$
Strategy
Months to debt-free
26 mo
Debt-free by Sep 2028
Total interest
$998
Vs. snowball
−$708
You save $708 staying on avalanche
You're at risk of losing your 0% APR on Card 2 — balance remaining on Nov 16, 2026: $1,640
Card
Payoff date
Interest paid
Card 1
Apr 2028
$998
Card 2
Sep 2028
$0
Calculations are estimates for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual payoff timelines, interest charges, and credit outcomes may vary.
How the snowball works
Why clearing the smallest balance first keeps people on the plan.
Step 2 — pay minimums on all but one
On every card except the smallest, pay the minimum. On the smallest-balance card, put every extra dollar you have.
Step 3 — roll the payment
When the smallest card hits zero, take what you were paying on it and add it to the next-smallest card's payment. That's the snowball.
Why it works
Each cleared card removes a whole bill from the rotation — fewer due dates, fewer minimums, fewer reasons to fall off plan. Momentum is the point.
When to choose avalanche instead
If your highest-APR card has a much bigger balance, avalanche can save significantly more in interest. Run both above and compare.
FAQ