Debt Payoff Planner

Add all your debts, set a monthly budget, and find the fastest path to becoming debt-free.

Your Debts

Must be ≥ sum of all minimum payments
Avalanche — pays highest interest rate first. Saves the most money.
Snowball — pays smallest balance first. Gives quick wins and motivation.

Avalanche vs Snowball — Which Should You Choose?

There are two proven frameworks for paying off multiple debts. The Debt Avalanche targets the highest-interest debt first — mathematically optimal, minimizing total interest paid. The Debt Snowball targets the smallest balance first, generating early payoffs that build momentum. Behavioral finance research shows that the psychological reward of eliminating a debt significantly improves follow-through. The "best" method is the one you'll actually stick with.

⚡ Avalanche — Mathematically Optimal

Pay minimums on all debts, then channel every extra rupee toward the highest-rate debt. Once eliminated, roll that full payment to the next. Best when rates differ significantly (e.g., 36% credit card vs 10% personal loan).

❄️ Snowball — Psychologically Effective

Ignore interest rates. Pay minimums everywhere, then attack the smallest balance. Each closed account is a concrete win — and the freed-up minimum payment rolls into the next target.

💸 The Cost of Minimum Payments

Paying only the minimum on a ₹1,00,000 credit card at 36% APR takes over 11 years and costs ₹2.2 lakh in interest. A fixed ₹5,000/month clears it in 26 months with ₹28,000 in interest.

🌍 Debt Rate Benchmarks

Credit cards: 18–42% APR. Personal loans: 10–24%. Auto loans: 8–16%. Home loans: 8–10%. Any debt above 15% should be treated as a financial emergency.

The Debt-to-Income Ratio — Your Financial Vital Sign

Lenders assess you using your DTI ratio: total monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income. Below 36% is healthy. Above 50%, borrowing becomes difficult and financial stress intensifies. If your DTI exceeds 40%, aggressive payoff — not new investments — should be your primary financial priority. Clearing 24% debt is a guaranteed 24% return, better than most market instruments.

When to Consider Debt Consolidation

Juggling 3+ high-rate debts? A consolidation loan can simplify repayment and reduce your blended interest rate. It works best when you can secure a personal loan at a meaningfully lower rate than your current weighted average. The critical discipline: do not use freed-up credit lines to accumulate new debt. Consolidation solves a cash-flow problem — not a spending habit problem.

📌 Emergency Fund First

Before aggressive payoff, maintain a ₹50,000–₹1 lakh buffer. Without it, one unexpected expense pushes you back into 36% credit card debt — erasing months of progress.

📊 Balance Transfer Cards

Many banks offer 0% interest balance transfers for 6–18 months. Used correctly, this is an arbitrage opportunity — but only if you clear the balance before the promotional rate expires.

Take the Next Step

Platforms to help you act on your numbers.

Some links below may be affiliate links — if you sign up, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

💳
Paisabazaar

Refinance high-interest debt at a lower rate. Compare personal loan offers from 50+ lenders — preapproved in seconds.

Refinance at Lower Rate →
📊
BankBazaar

Check your free CIBIL score and get balance transfer offers that could cut your interest cost significantly.

Check Free CIBIL Score →