The debt avalanche is mathematically optimal - pay minimums on everything while throwing extra money at the highest interest rate debt first. You'll pay less interest and get out of debt faster than any other method. But humans aren't calculators. The debt snowball - paying off smallest balances first - provides psychological wins that keep people motivated when the spreadsheet says they should quit.
The interest rate difference between methods is often smaller than you'd think. If you have $25,000 in debt across five accounts, avalanche might save you $800 in interest over three years compared to snowball. That's real money, but if the snowball method keeps you engaged and prevents you from abandoning the plan, it saves far more than $800. The best method is the one you'll actually stick with.
Your personality type should drive the decision. If you're highly analytical and motivated by optimizing numbers, avalanche works great. You can watch your total interest payments decrease month by month and find satisfaction in maximum efficiency. If you need tangible progress markers to stay motivated, snowball is superior. Eliminating entire debts provides emotional fuel that carries you through the longer journey.
The critical factor both methods require is finding extra money to accelerate payoff. Whether you use snowball or avalanche, paying only minimums means you'll be in debt for decades. Cut expenses, increase income, or both - and direct every extra dollar toward debt elimination. The specific ordering matters far less than the intensity of your attack.
Track your progress obsessively regardless of method. Update your debt payoff spreadsheet weekly. Watch the total balance decrease. Celebrate each account you eliminate. The visibility keeps you focused and provides evidence that your sacrifices are working. Many people abandon debt payoff plans because they lose sight of their progress - don't let that happen to you.