If you’ve spent any time in the debt-free community, you’ve heard the debate: Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche.

The avalanche method says pay off the highest interest rate first. Mathematically optimal. Saves you the most money.

The snowball method (Dave Ramsey’s approach) says pay off the smallest balance first. Quick wins. Momentum. Motivation.

After paying off $203,000 in 27 months, here’s our take: the snowball won — and it wasn’t even close.

Why the Math Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think

Let’s be real. The difference between snowball and avalanche on most debt loads is a few hundred dollars in interest over the life of the payoff. On our $203K, the mathematical difference was roughly $1,800.

You know what costs more than $1,800? Quitting in month 4 because you never felt any progress.

The snowball gave us our first win in 6 weeks. We paid off a $1,200 credit card and it felt like we’d conquered Everest. That feeling — that dopamine hit of “we actually did it” — carried us through the next 25 months of sacrifice.

Why This Matters More When You’re Married

Here’s what nobody talks about: debt payoff is a team sport when you’re married. And teams need wins to stay motivated.

If one partner is skeptical (Cristina was, at first), the snowball gives you proof fast. It’s hard to argue with results. After that first card was gone, she was ALL in.

The avalanche? You might grind for 8 months before your first debt disappears. That’s 8 months of sacrifice with nothing to show for it. That’s 8 months of “is this even working?” conversations.

Our Debt Snowball in Action

Here’s how our snowball actually played out:

Month 1-2: Paid off $1,200 credit card (minimum payments on everything else)
Month 2-4: Paid off $3,400 credit card (rolled the first payment into this one)
Month 4-8: Paid off $8,900 personal loan
Month 8-14: Paid off $22,000 car loan
Month 14-22: Paid off $67,000 student loans
Month 22-27: Paid off $101,000 remaining student loans + medical debt

Each payoff freed up more money for the next one. By month 14, we were throwing $4,500/month at debt. The momentum was unstoppable.

The Secret Weapon: Gazelle Intensity

Dave Ramsey talks about “gazelle intensity” — running from debt like a gazelle runs from a cheetah. Here’s what that looked like for us:

Side hustles: I drove for Uber on weekends. Cristina sold items on Facebook Marketplace.
Lifestyle cuts: No restaurants for 18 months. $20 date nights only. One streaming service.
Windfalls: Tax refunds, bonuses, birthday money — ALL went to debt. No exceptions.
Coupon dates: We turned grocery shopping with coupons into a competitive date night.

When the Avalanche MIGHT Make Sense

We’re not absolutists. The avalanche could work better if:

Both partners are already 100% committed (no one needs convincing)
Your smallest debt is also your highest interest rate (then they’re the same thing)
You have a massive high-interest debt that’s costing you hundreds per month

But for most couples? Especially if one partner is hesitant? Start with the snowball. You can always switch methods later. You can’t un-quit.

The Real Answer: The Method You’ll Actually Stick With

Here’s the truth Dave Ramsey gets right that the math nerds miss: personal finance is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge.

The best debt payoff method is the one that keeps both of you motivated, aligned, and working together. For us, that was the snowball. For you, it might be different.

But whatever you choose, choose it TOGETHER. Make it a decision you both own. Because the real enemy isn’t interest rates — it’s disconnection.

Your Next Step

Ready to start your own debt snowball? Here’s the play:

List every debt from smallest balance to largest
Pay minimums on everything except the smallest
Attack the smallest with every extra dollar you have
When it’s gone, roll that payment into the next one
Celebrate every single win together

Want to know your Money Personality first? Take our free Money Personalities Quiz — it’ll help you understand why one of you might prefer the snowball and the other wants the avalanche. (Spoiler: it’s usually the Saver vs. the Security Seeker.)

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