🔎 Disclosure: WE DON’T SELL ANY COURSES. Money Vice is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The ideas presented on this site are opinions and are presented for entertainment purposes only. We’re not licensed financial advisors. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.
1. Rank Debts by Interest Rate
You know that moment when you realize your “small” credit card balance has been eating away at your wallet faster than Miami sun melts ice cream?
Yeah, that’s interest doing its dirty work.
The debt avalanche method starts with one simple move. You rank all your debts by their interest rates, not their balances.
You go after the one charging you the most interest first, because that’s the one burning your cash the fastest.
Think of it like putting out the biggest fire before it spreads. Smart, right?
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make a quick list of all your debts with interest rates beside each one (use a free tool like Undebt.it to organize them automatically).
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌
2. Focus on One Debt at a Time
Trying to pay all your debts equally is like trying to tan evenly under a beach umbrella. Good luck with that.
When you use the avalanche method, you throw all your extra cash at the highest-interest debt while making minimum payments on the rest.
Once that monster’s gone, you roll that payment into the next debt on your list.
It’s like a money snowball rolling downhill, only this one’s fueled by strategy, not chaos.
And honestly, watching those balances disappear one by one feels better than payday.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use your banking app to set an extra payment toward the debt with the highest interest rate every payday. Even if it’s just $20 more.
3. Cut Expenses to Free Up Cash
You can’t attack debt if your cash keeps sneaking out for late-night Uber Eats runs or “emergency” Amazon orders.
The fastest way to win this game? Cut what doesn’t make your life better.
Cancel those subscriptions you forgot about (yeah, even that streaming service you “might use again someday”).
Cook at home a few extra nights. Your wallet and your waistline will both thank you.
You’ll be shocked at how much extra cash shows up when you stop paying for stuff you barely use.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your Rocket Money app or bank statement for subscriptions you don’t need and cancel at least one today.
Bonus Tip: Make Paying Off Debt Easier Than Ever
Have you ever felt like keeping track of multiple debts is more confusing than Miami traffic at rush hour?
Yeah, it’s a headache. Especially when every lender seems to have a different due date, balance, and interest rate.
That’s why using Undebt.it can honestly feel like a lifesaver (and no, this isn’t one of those “as seen on TV” pitches 😏).
It’s an online tool that helps you build a personalized debt avalanche or snowball plan, track every payment, and see your progress in real time. Kinda like having your own money coach that never forgets a payment.
People who use it often say they stay motivated because they can literally see their balances shrink month after month. And let’s be real, watching debt disappear feels better than getting a raise.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Head to Undebt.it, plug in your balances and interest rates, choose the avalanche method, and let it automatically organize your plan. You’ll know exactly which debt to crush next without lifting a finger.
4. Automate Payments for Consistency
Let’s be honest. No one actually remembers due dates anymore.
Automation is your secret weapon here.
You set up automatic payments, and boom. You’re never late, never hit with a fee, and never tempted to “wait until next week.”
It’s like hiring a personal assistant who works for free and never complains.
Once you automate, your debts start disappearing without you even thinking about it.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Log into your online banking and set recurring payments for your top-priority debt so it hits right after payday.
5. Track Savings From Lower Interest
Watching your interest drop month after month is like watching your bank account finally breathe again.
Seriously, it’s addicting. The good kind.
When you track how much interest you’re saving, you’ll feel that motivation kick in hard.
You’ll start realizing how powerful small, consistent moves really are.
And once you see your money working for you instead of against you, there’s no going back.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use Undebt.it or a spreadsheet to track your progress and watch your total interest shrink every month. It’s like seeing your freedom number grow in real time.
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌
And that’s it!
Never forget it…
🍔 A Bigger Bank Account Is Waiting For You!
😉 Dale!
