Guides

Debt payoff guides, strategies, and real numbers

Plain-language articles about getting out of debt faster. No affiliate links, no product pitches, just the math and the method.

Debt Strategy
Snowball vs Avalanche: Which Debt Payoff Method Actually Works in 2026?
The math favours avalanche. The psychology favours snowball. Here is how to decide which one you will actually finish, and a third option most people overlook.
8 min read  ·  June 2026
Debt Education
Why Minimum Payments Are Costing You a Decade
At 22% APR, a $10,000 balance on minimum payments takes nearly 20 years to clear and costs more in interest than the original debt. Here is the exact math.
7 min read  ·  June 2026
Debt Strategy
How to Pay Off $20,000 in Debt Without Earning More
You do not need a raise or a windfall. A sequenced plan using your existing income can close $20,000 in debt in under a year. Here is the exact method.
9 min read  ·  June 2026

Calculators & Tools

Free calculators for specific debt scenarios

Built for exact situations, pick the one that matches yours.

Calculator
Debt Snowball Calculator
See the exact closing date for every debt, month by month, not just a final payoff date.
Free tool
Calculator
Debt Avalanche Calculator
Attack your highest-APR debt first. See exactly how much interest you save.
Free tool
Calculator
Debt Free Date Calculator
Find your exact month and year, plus a closing date for every individual debt.
Free tool
Guide + Calculator
How Long to Pay Off Credit Card Debt?
The real timeline on minimum payments vs a sequenced plan, with your own numbers.
Free tool
Scenario Guide
Pay Off $30,000 in Credit Card Debt
A worked example for larger balances, exact sequencing and timeline.
Free tool
Scenario Guide
Pay Off Car Loan Early
See exactly how much you save and when your car loan closes in Phase 2.
Free tool
Scenario Guide
Pay Off Student Loans Faster
Where student loans fit in your sequence relative to credit cards and other debt.
Free tool
Scenario Guide
Get Out of Debt on a Low Income
A realistic plan when every dollar of surplus counts.
Free tool