Snowball vs Avalanche
Two proven ways to kill debt — here is the real difference.
Both methods tell you to make every minimum payment, then throw every spare dollar at one debt until it is gone, then move to the next. They differ only in which debt you attack first.
Snowball (smallest balance first)
You list debts from smallest balance to largest and aim extra money at the smallest. Psychologically this is powerful: you get quick, visible wins that build momentum. Behaviorally, it is the easier habit to keep.
Avalanche (highest APR first)
You list debts from highest interest rate to lowest and aim extra money at the costliest one. Mathematically this always minimizes total interest paid, because you stop the most expensive debt from growing first.
Which should you pick?
If two methods clear the same debt in the same number of months, avalanche wins on interest. But if the snowball keeps you paying when you would otherwise quit, the "suboptimal" math is the one that actually finishes. Many people use avalanche on paper and celebrate small wins anyway.