Yeah, I went through something similar myself. Started with snowball because it felt good to cross debts off the list quickly, but after a while, I realized I was losing money on interest. Switching to avalanche definitely saved me more cash in the long run. One thing I'd add is that it's helpful to periodically reassess your strategy—life changes, interest rates fluctuate, and what motivates you can shift over time. Flexibility is key...
I get what you're saying about avalanche saving more money overall, but honestly, sometimes the psychological boost from snowballing can outweigh the interest savings. When I was drowning in debt, seeing those smaller balances disappear quickly gave me the motivation to keep going. Avalanche might've saved me a bit more cash, sure, but without that early momentum, I might've given up altogether. Like you said, flexibility matters—but so does knowing yourself and what keeps you moving forward.
Totally get where you're coming from. Debt management isn't just numbers—it's also about mindset. In real estate investing, I've learned that feeling progress early can really help sustain momentum, even if the math doesn't always line up perfectly. Numbers matter, sure, but so does your mental health and motivation. Sounds like you found what works best for you, and that's genuinely commendable. Keep trusting your instincts and staying disciplined; that's half the battle right there.
"Numbers matter, sure, but so does your mental health and motivation."
Couldn't agree more. I tried the avalanche method first—made sense mathematically—but honestly, seeing those smaller debts disappear early with snowball kept me sane. Sometimes the mental win outweighs the spreadsheet logic... at least for me.
Totally get your point about the mental boost from paying off smaller debts first, but I'm wondering—wouldn't seeing the overall debt shrink faster with avalanche also be motivating? I mean, sure, fewer quick wins, but maybe knowing you're saving more money in interest could give a different kind of mental boost. Guess it depends on what motivates you more... quick victories or long-term savings. Curious if anyone's tried switching methods halfway through?
