Debt Snowball / Avalanche Calculator
Compare two debt-payoff strategies. Snowball pays smallest balance first (faster wins). Avalanche pays highest APR first (less total interest).
Your debts
Payoff order
- 1. Personal loanMonth 6
- 2. Credit cardMonth 13
- 3. Car loanMonth 20
Compared to avalanche
1 months slower
AED 1,268 more interest
How to use
- 1
Add each debt with its name, balance, APR, and minimum monthly payment.
- 2
Enter how much extra you can pay each month beyond minimums.
- 3
Pick snowball (smallest balance first — fast wins) or avalanche (highest APR — less interest).
- 4
The result shows months to debt-free, total interest, and the order debts are cleared. Plus a comparison with the other strategy.
Frequently asked questions
If you struggle to stay motivated, snowball — clearing a debt entirely feels like a real win and builds momentum. If you're disciplined and just want to pay less interest, avalanche. The math gap is usually small (a few hundred AED on most household debt loads), so the right answer is whichever you'll actually stick to.
Month by month. Each month: charge interest on every balance (APR ÷ 12), then pay minimums on everything, then throw your extra payment at the target debt (smallest balance for snowball, highest APR for avalanche). Once a debt is cleared, its minimum payment rolls into your extra. Repeat until everything is at zero.
UAE credit card APRs are among the world's highest — usually 30-42% per year. The CBUAE caps cash advance APR at 39.78%. Check your card's terms and conditions for the exact figure; most UAE cards sit between 35-42%.
Usually no — mortgages have low APRs (4-7% in UAE) and long terms. The snowball/avalanche framework is for revolving debt (credit cards) and short personal loans where APRs are high enough that aggressive payoff makes a big difference.
Stop here and call the bank. Most UAE banks will offer a payment plan if you ask before defaulting. The Al Etihad Credit Bureau records missed payments — that affects your score for 5+ years and makes future loans much more expensive.
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Source: Standard amortisation; snowball vs avalanche methodology · Last verified 2026-06. This tool provides estimates only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Always verify your specific situation with the relevant UAE authority or a licensed advisor before taking action.