Debt. Not the glamorous kind, if there is one—but the slow-drip, interest-heavy kind that quietly creeps into your monthly budget and overstays its welcome. A few years back, I found myself juggling multiple debts with different balances and interest rates—some student loans, a credit card I swore I’d pay off “next month,” and a car loan that felt more annoying than necessary.
I wasn’t in financial free fall, but I definitely wasn’t in control, either. I knew I needed to pay things down strategically, not just throw money at the minimums and hope for the best. That’s when I discovered the Avalanche Method—and I decided to go all in.
So here’s what using the avalanche method actually felt like—from the awkward recalculations to the quiet victories.
The Avalanche Method is a debt repayment strategy where you focus on paying off your highest-interest debt first, while continuing to make minimum payments on everything else.
So instead of paying off the smallest balance (which is what the Snowball Method suggests), you go after what’s costing you the most in interest. Once that high-interest debt is gone, you move on to the next highest—like an avalanche rolling downhill and gaining momentum.
Here’s why it appealed to me:
This method made sense on paper. But emotionally? It had some twists I didn’t quite expect.
Still, it was necessary. I built a simple spreadsheet and ranked my debts from highest to lowest interest. That credit card was clearly the top priority. And I mean clearly—24% interest is no joke. It was racking up more in charges every month than I realized.
Brutal honesty with a side of anxiety. But also a strange sense of control. Once everything was in front of me, I stopped guessing. I had clarity, and that’s a powerful starting point.
Next came the real work: figuring out how much extra I could throw at that credit card each month while still covering everything else. This meant reworking my budget—not just trimming lattes, but reevaluating subscriptions, meal planning better, even renegotiating my phone plan.
I didn’t go full minimalist, but I got serious about intention. And I’ll say this: the clarity that came with aligning my spending to my actual goals? Underrated. It wasn’t about restriction—it was about choice.
I still went out with friends, still traveled, but I chose what I valued more. And seeing that avalanche balance drop a little faster each month? That became way more motivating than a new jacket I’d forget about in three weeks.
Empowering. A little annoying at times, sure (goodbye, impulsive takeout). But more than anything, it reminded me that progress doesn’t require perfection—just consistency.
Paying off high-interest debt can feel like watching paint dry—especially when the balance is large and the progress feels slow at first. The Snowball Method, with its quick wins, might feel more emotionally satisfying. But here’s the trade-off: I was saving a lot more money in the long run.
I tracked how much I was saving in interest month over month. Even seeing $18 less in interest fees felt like a win. That was my money now—not the bank’s.
And as the balance dropped, the momentum picked up. More of each payment chipped away at the principal. Eventually, that card went from being the weight around my neck to the receipt I kept as a reminder: you did that.
Slow burn with a big payoff. You have to keep your eyes on the future benefits. It’s not always flashy, but it’s effective—and deeply satisfying when that first debt disappears. According to the Federal Reserve, the average U.S. credit card interest rate is over 20% as of 2024. The Avalanche Method may save hundreds—or even thousands—in interest over time compared to other repayment strategies.
Once I paid off the first debt, the next step was simple: take the full amount I had been putting toward that credit card and redirect it to the next highest-interest debt. In my case, that was the student loan.
This is where the avalanche really starts rolling. Instead of just minimum payments, I was putting serious money toward the second debt—and watching it melt faster than I expected.
Here’s the thing most people don’t talk about: this part starts to feel addictive. In a good way. Seeing tangible progress makes you want to keep going. And each payoff frees up more cash to attack the next.
Exhilarating. There’s a tipping point where the emotional payoff catches up to the financial one, and suddenly you’re not just trying to escape debt—you’re chasing freedom.
Let’s talk about the human side of this. Debt carries emotional weight. Shame, fear, frustration—it’s rarely just numbers on a screen. For me, the Avalanche Method helped reframe that relationship.
Instead of feeling like I was drowning in debt, I felt like I had a strategy. A map. It wasn’t easy, and there were definitely months I wished I had more flexibility. But there’s something incredibly stabilizing about knowing you have a plan that’s grounded in logic—not just emotion.
Also, seeing the why behind your strategy helps when motivation wavers. I had a post-it on my fridge that just said: “Every dollar is a vote for your future.” That reminded me to stay focused.
Let’s be clear: this method isn’t perfect for everyone. Here's what stood out to me after going through it.
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re someone who likes structure, optimization, and clear logic, the Avalanche Method could be a great fit. It rewards patience and consistency—and may be especially appealing if you’re dealing with high-interest credit card debt.
On the other hand, if you need to feel success quickly to stay motivated, it might be worth starting with a Snowball approach—or blending both. For example, start with a small win, then switch to Avalanche for the long haul.
Using the Avalanche Method taught me more than just how to manage money. It taught me patience. It helped me build confidence. It reminded me that sustainable progress often looks quiet and unremarkable—until one day, you look up and realize how far you've come.
If you’re in debt right now, I get it. It’s heavy. But it doesn’t have to be forever. Find a method that fits your personality, commit to a plan, and start where you are. You don’t need to wait for the “perfect time.” You just need to start.
And if you’re curious about whether the Avalanche Method is worth it?
It is. At least, it was for me.
