# Debt Snowball Calculator

> Organize and pay off your debts by starting with the smallest balances first to build psychological momentum.

**Category:** Finance
**Keywords:** debt, snowball, payoff, savings, finance, Dave Ramsey, budget
**URL:** https://complete.tools/debt-snowball

## How it works

The tool processes user inputs by first sorting debts based on their total balances. It then calculates the monthly payment amounts for each debt, applying any extra funds available to the smallest debt until it is fully paid off. After the smallest debt is cleared, the tool reallocates the total payment amount (previous minimum payment plus any extra funds) toward the next smallest debt. This continues until all debts are paid off. The algorithm ensures that each step is based on the remaining balance and minimum payment requirements.

## Who should use this

1. Financial advisors assisting clients in debt management strategies. 2. Individuals with multiple credit card debts seeking an organized repayment approach. 3. Personal finance educators teaching debt reduction techniques. 4. Bankruptcy counselors helping clients navigate debt repayment options.

## Worked examples

Example 1: A user has three debts: $500 credit card (minimum payment $50), $1,200 car loan (minimum payment $100), and $2,500 student loan (minimum payment $150). The user has $100 extra each month. They pay off the credit card first, totaling $150 monthly payment, clearing it in 4 months. Next, they tackle the car loan now with a $200 monthly payment, which will take 6 months to pay off. Finally, they apply that $200 to the student loan, paying it off in 13 months. 

Example 2: Another user has a $1,000 medical bill (minimum payment $50), a $3,000 personal loan (minimum payment $100), and a $5,000 home equity line (minimum payment $200). With no extra funds, they focus on the medical bill first, paying it off in 20 months. The personal loan then receives $200 monthly, taking 15 months, and the home equity line is paid off last with $200 monthly, taking 25 months to clear.

## Limitations

The Debt Snowball tool has several limitations. First, it assumes that users will consistently have the same amount of extra funds available each month, which may not always be the case. Second, the tool does not account for fluctuating interest rates, which can affect total repayment time and cost. Third, if a user has debts with similar balances, the order of repayment may require reassessment. Lastly, the tool does not consider potential penalties for early repayment of loans, which could affect the overall financial strategy.

## FAQs

**Q:** How does the tool determine which debt to pay off first?


**A:** The tool prioritizes debts based on their total balance, focusing on the smallest debt first to gain momentum in repayment.


**Q:** Can I input variable interest rates for my debts?


**A:** The current version of the tool does not accommodate variable interest rates; it assumes fixed rates for simplicity.


**Q:** How does the tool handle minimum payments that change over time?


**A:** Users must manually update minimum payment amounts in the tool if they change, as the tool does not automatically adjust for this.


**Q:** What happens if I accumulate more debt while using the tool?


**A:** The tool requires recalculating the debt list to include any new debts, which may affect the repayment strategy.

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*Generated from [complete.tools/debt-snowball](https://complete.tools/debt-snowball)*