Debt Snowball vs Debt Avalanche: Which is best in India?

debt-snowball-vs-debt-avalanche

When you’re drowning in multiple loans — credit cards, personal loans, or EMIs — choosing the right repayment strategy can save you money, reduce stress, and give you control over your finances.

In this post, we’ll compare Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche methods with real Indian examples, and help you decide which one fits your mindset and situation.

What is the Debt Snowball Method?

The Debt Snowball Method focuses on repaying the smallest loan first, regardless of interest rate. Once the smallest loan is cleared, you move to the next smallest, like a snowball getting bigger as it rolls downhill.

Benefits

  • Quick wins build motivation
  • Clears individual loans faster
  • Great for people who want to feel progress

Downsides

  • You might end up paying more interest overall

Example

Loan TypeAmountInterestEMI
Credit Card 1₹10,00036%₹1,000
Personal Loan₹50,00014%₹1,500
Credit Card 2₹25,00036%₹1,200

In Snowball: You pay off ₹10,000 loan first, then ₹25,000, then ₹50,000 — smallest to biggest.

What is the Debt Avalanche Method?

The Debt Avalanche Method focuses on repaying the loan with the highest interest rate first, regardless of the amount. It saves you the most money over time.

Benefits

  • Minimizes total interest paid
  • Faster debt freedom (in numbers)

Downsides

  • Takes longer to feel progress
  • Might be emotionally harder to stick to

Example:

Loan TypeAmountInterestEMI
Personal Loan₹50,00014%₹1,500
Credit Card 1₹10,00036%₹1,000
Credit Card 2₹25,00036%₹1,200

In Avalanche: You pay off the ₹10,000 credit card (36%) first, then ₹25,000 (36%), then personal loan (14%).

Which is Better for Indians?

FactorDebt SnowballDebt Avalanche
GoalMotivationInterest Saving
Your emotional strengthLowHigh
Your math/logic levelLess ImportantVery Important
Suitable forBeginners with no habitsDisciplined savers
Loan TypesMultiple small loansHigh-interest loans

My Personal Suggestion

Most individuals from Indian households prefer the Debt Snowball to start with, because it’s emotionally rewarding.

But if you’re financially educated and comfortable with delayed rewards, switch to Debt Avalanche to save more money.

Best Hybrid Strategy: Start with Snowball (build momentum), then shift to Avalanche to save interest!

Try This: Debt Repayment Calculator

We’re building a calculator that compares both strategies for you. Enter your loans and get:

✅ Total Interest Paid
✅ Time to Become Debt-Free
✅ Strategy Comparison Summary

🔔 Stay tuned or subscribe to get early access.

Peace or Profit: Your Mindset Matters

If You Feel…Choose…
“I just want to get rid of one loan now.”Snowball
“I don’t mind the wait, I want to save.”Avalanche
“I want the best of both.”Hybrid Approach

We’re collecting stories from readers who used either Snowball or Avalanche. Want to share yours? Email or comment below!

Final Thoughts

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution.

Debt Snowball gives speed and satisfaction.
Debt Avalanche gives logic and savings.

👉 The best strategy is the one you can stick to. Choose based on your personality and debt types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Debt Avalanche or Debt Snowball Better?

Both Debt Avalanche and Debt Snowball methods help you pay off loans faster — but the best one depends on your mindset and money habits.
Debt Avalanche (Best for Saving Interest):
You pay off the highest interest debt first (e.g., credit cards, personal loans).
This method saves the most money on interest over time.
Ideal for: People who are analytical, motivated by numbers, and want the most efficient strategy.
Debt Snowball (Best for Quick Wins):
You pay off the smallest loan first, regardless of interest rate.
Helps build momentum and motivation by showing quick progress.
Ideal for: People who are emotionally overwhelmed by debt and need fast encouragement.
On CashVanto, we recommend the Debt Avalanche method if your goal is to become debt-free faster and save more money.

What Are the Three Biggest Strategies for Paying Down Debt?

1️⃣ Debt Avalanche MethodSave the Most on Interest
Focus on high-interest debts first (like credit cards).
Make minimum payments on all other debts, and put extra money toward the highest-interest loan.
👉 Best for: Saving money over time and becoming debt-free faster.
2️⃣ Debt Snowball MethodGet Motivated with Quick Wins
Focus on paying off the smallest loan first, regardless of interest rate.
Once that’s paid, roll over the payment to the next-smallest debt.
👉 Best for: Building motivation and confidence with fast results.
3️⃣ Debt ConsolidationSimplify & Lower Monthly Payments
Combine multiple debts into one loan with a lower interest rate.
Easier to manage with one EMI, often at a lower cost.
👉 Best for: Reducing stress and avoiding missed payments.

What Are the Disadvantages of the Debt Snowball Method?

The Debt Snowball Method is popular for its motivational benefits, but it comes with a few important drawbacks you should consider before choosing it:
1️⃣ Ignores Interest Rates
The snowball method focuses on the smallest balance first, not the highest interest rate.
This may lead to paying more interest over time compared to the Debt Avalanche method.
2️⃣ Can Be More Expensive
Since high-interest debts remain unpaid longer, you could end up spending thousands more in interest, especially with credit card debt.
3️⃣ Slower Overall Debt Payoff
While you’ll see quick wins early on, the overall timeline to become debt-free may be longer, especially if your smallest debts don’t carry much weight.
4️⃣ May Not Be Ideal for Large Debt Loads
If your debt includes large, high-interest loans, this method can be inefficient.
You might feel like you’re making progress, but the real financial impact is delayed.

What Are the 4 Steps in the Debt Snowball Method?

The Debt Snowball Method is a simple and motivating strategy to pay off your debts. It focuses on building momentum by clearing smaller balances first. Here are the 4 key steps to follow:
1️⃣ List All Your Debts from Smallest to Largest
Ignore interest rates for now.
Focus purely on the outstanding balance — from the smallest to the largest.
2️⃣ Make Minimum Payments on All Debts
Continue paying the minimum due on every loan or credit card.
This keeps your accounts in good standing while you focus on one target debt.
3️⃣ Put Extra Money Toward the Smallest Debt
Use any extra income (bonus, side hustle, or savings) to attack the smallest debt first.
This gives a quick win, boosting your motivation.
4️⃣ Repeat the Process with the Next Smallest Debt
Once the smallest debt is paid off, roll its payment into the next smallest.
Like a snowball, your repayment power grows as each debt is cleared.
The debt snowball method gives you quick emotional wins, making it easier to stay committed — especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed by multiple loans.

What Is an Advantage to Using the Debt Snowball Method?

The biggest advantage of the debt snowball method is the psychological motivation it creates by helping you see quick wins.
Key Benefit: Builds Momentum Fast
With the debt snowball method, you pay off your smallest debt first, regardless of interest rate. This gives you a sense of achievement early on, which boosts your confidence and keeps you motivated to continue tackling bigger debts.
As you pay off each loan, you free up more money to attack the next debt — just like a snowball rolling downhill and getting bigger.

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