"Did you find tracking every expense tedious after a while, or did it become second nature eventually?"
Honestly, I never got to the point where tracking every single expense felt natural—it always seemed like a chore. Tried apps, spreadsheets, even pen and paper... nothing stuck. Instead, I found setting a strict monthly spending limit easier to manage. As long as I stayed under that number, I didn't stress about every coffee or snack. Different strokes, I guess, but obsessing over each dollar just wasn't sustainable for me.
I get what you're saying about tracking every little thing—it can definitely feel tedious at first. But honestly, after a couple months, it became second nature for me. I think the key was finding an app that synced automatically with my accounts, so I wasn't manually logging every coffee run. Still, your monthly limit idea sounds pretty solid too. Curious though...did you find it harder to stay disciplined without seeing exactly where each dollar went?
I actually think a monthly limit can work pretty well, as long as you're realistic about it. If you're not into tracking every dollar, maybe just do a quick weekly check-in to see if you're on track...keeps things simple without feeling overwhelming.
Yeah, monthly limits can definitely help keep things manageable without feeling like you're chained to a spreadsheet. I've found that even just a quick glance at spending every week or so helps catch those sneaky little expenses that add up fast—like grabbing coffee on the go or impulse Amazon buys (guilty here...).
But back to the snowball vs avalanche thing, I think it really depends on your personality. Avalanche makes sense mathematically—tackle the highest interest first and save money in the long run—but honestly, the psychological boost from the snowball method can be huge. Paying off smaller debts first gives you those quick wins, and sometimes that's exactly what you need to stay motivated.
Maybe a hybrid approach could work too? Like knocking out one or two small balances first to build momentum, then switching gears to tackle the high-interest ones. Just something to consider if you're feeling stuck between the two methods.
Totally agree that personality plays a huge role in deciding between snowball and avalanche. I tried the avalanche method first because, logically, it seemed like the smartest move. But after a few months, I felt like I wasn't making any real progress—just chipping away endlessly at one big debt. Switched to snowball, and those smaller wins really did help me stay motivated.
I like your hybrid idea though. Maybe start with snowball to clear out a couple of smaller balances, then once you feel more confident, shift gears toward avalanche. Also, I've found setting mini milestones or rewards (nothing expensive, obviously!) helps keep the momentum going. Like treating yourself to a movie night at home or something simple after hitting a debt payoff goal. Curious if anyone else has tried something similar...
