By Javan C 
I’ll never forget the moment I properly faced my debts. I was sitting at the kitchen table, half a cup of tea going cold, and I’d just totalled everything up. Between credit cards, a car loan, and an old overdraft I’d forgotten about — it wasn’t a small number.
Like many people, I didn’t have a plan. I was just juggling payments, trying not to miss one, and constantly feeling like I was getting nowhere. Then I came across two strategies that changed how I thought about it: Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche.
I’m going to walk you through both, from someone who’s been there — with examples, pros and cons, and some real talk about which one might suit you best.
❄️ What is the Debt Snowball Method?
The Debt Snowball method focuses on tackling your smallest debts first, regardless of interest rates. You make minimum payments on everything except the smallest one — that one, you hit hard with any spare cash you have.
Once it’s paid off, you take what you were paying and roll it into the next smallest. Over time, your payments grow larger, like a snowball rolling downhill. You build momentum as you go.
✅ Example:
Let’s say you owe:
- £200 on a store card
- £600 on a credit card (18% interest)
- £3,000 on a personal loan (7% interest)
With the snowball, you’d first pay off the £200 store card. Once that’s gone, the money you were paying towards it now goes towards the £600 credit card, and so on.
It’s simple, and it feels like you’re winning from the start.
👍 Pros of the Debt Snowball:
- Quick wins keep you motivated – Knocking out that first debt gives you a psychological boost.
- Simple to follow – You don’t need to calculate interest rates. Just order your debts by balance.
- Momentum builds confidence – Every debt paid off is one less thing on your plate.
👎 Cons of the Debt Snowball:
- You may pay more interest overall – Since you’re not focusing on the highest-interest debts first.
- Less efficient mathematically – If your biggest debt is also the most expensive, it might drag on longer.
🔥 What is the Debt Avalanche Method?
The Debt Avalanche method goes after your debts with the highest interest rates first, regardless of the amount you owe. You still pay minimums on everything else, but your extra money targets the most financially painful debt.
It’s a more analytical, numbers-first approach. And over time, it can save you hundreds or even thousands in interest.
✅ Example:
Let’s say you owe:
- £1,500 on a credit card (19.9%)
- £300 overdraft (0%)
- £2,500 personal loan (6.9%)
With the avalanche, you’d start with the £1,500 credit card because it has the highest interest. Even though it’s not the smallest debt, it’s the one draining your money fastest.
👍 Pros of the Debt Avalanche:
- You save more money in the long run – Less interest paid overall.
- Mathematically the fastest way out of debt – Your balances drop faster once you get going.
- Feels financially savvy – You know you’re making the most logical choice.
👎 Cons of the Debt Avalanche:
- Can feel slow to start – If your highest-interest debt is also large, it might take months before you see a win.
- Motivation can dip – No early “wins” like with the snowball.
- Requires discipline – You need to stick with it even when results aren’t immediate.
🧠 So, Which One Should You Use?
If you need motivation and a clear sense of progress, go for the snowball.
If you want to save the most money and you’re good with delayed gratification, try the avalanche.
Here’s a little story from my own journey:
I started with the snowball. I needed that boost. My £250 store card went first — done in one paycheque. I felt amazing. From there, I worked my way up.
But once I’d cleared a few, I switched to avalanche. My biggest credit card had a high interest rate and I realised it was costing me too much to ignore. So I adjusted my approach.
There’s no debt police — do what works for you. Mix and match if you need to. The best method is the one that keeps you going.
💡 Real-World Tips That Helped Me
- Write it all down – On paper. Not just in your head. Seeing your debts lined up makes it real.
- Track your progress – I used a notebook. Each payment got a tick. It helped me stay accountable.
- Throw every bit of extra cash at it – Birthday money, side gigs, eBay sales — I even sold my PS4.
- Tell someone you trust – Even just one person. It stops it being a secret you carry alone.
- Celebrate small wins – Every debt paid off is a win. Treat yourself (cheaply!) when you hit a milestone.
🔁 Would I Recommend It?
100%. Whichever route you choose, the moment you commit to a plan, things change. You go from drifting to driving.
It’s hard. It takes time. But that feeling of seeing your debts vanish, one by one? It’s worth it.
If you’re still deciding, just start small. Pick one card or one loan and throw £50 more at it this month. Then another. Watch it drop. And watch how good that feels.
👀 Check Out More
Trying to be smarter with your money while still enjoying life? I’ve written about how I managed great holidays on a budget, even while working through debt:
➡️ Read: My Prague Birthday Trip
➡️ Read: Our Summer Holiday to Split, Croatia