When you have more than one debt, deciding which to pay first can feel like a puzzle. Two common approaches, often called the avalanche and the snowball, give you a clear order to follow. Both rely on the same foundation: make every minimum payment, then send any extra money to one target debt at a time.
The avalanche: highest rate first
With the avalanche method, you list debts by interest rate and focus extra payments on the highest rate first. Because that balance costs you the most each month, this approach usually minimizes the total interest you pay. The trade-off is that if your highest-rate debt is also large, it can take a while before you see one disappear.
The snowball: smallest balance first
The snowball method orders debts from smallest balance to largest. Clearing a small balance quickly frees up its payment, which you roll into the next debt on the list. You may pay somewhat more interest overall, but the early wins can make it easier to stay committed, and staying committed is what actually gets debt paid off.
Pick, then protect your progress
If you are motivated by numbers, the avalanche may suit you. If you need to see momentum, the snowball may be the better fit. Whichever you choose, write the order down and keep a small emergency cushion so a surprise expense does not undo your progress. If high rates are making progress feel impossible, it can be worth asking your lender or a nonprofit credit counselor about options.