It might sound like an issue specifically for winter, but deciding whether to follow the “avalanche” or “snowball” approach to tackling debt is relevant at any time of year. If you’ve accumulated debt, trying to reduce it can seem intimidating. Where do you start? How do you limit the amount of interest you have to pay? The avalanche and snowball approaches are proven ways to pay off consumer debt. Before we consider how each strategy works and which one may better suit your circumstances, let’s see what these strategies have in common. For each method, make a list of all your consumer-related debts and commit to making the minimum payment, except for one. The debt balance that you’ve singled out is what you’ll target to eliminate first. Once that balance is cleared, proceed to the next balance on your list, and so on. With that in mind, here’s how the avalanche and snowball approaches differ.

Debt avalanche: Start by making a big impact

Organize your list of debts by the interest rate that’s being charged, from highest to lowest. The primary objective of the debt avalanche method is to minimize the overall interest you pay. After making the minimum payments on all debt balances except the one with the highest interest rate, put as much money as possible toward reducing the balance on this highest-rate debt (while ensuring you still have enough to live on and can maintain an emergency fund for unexpected, urgent expenses). As you retire that highest-rate debt, set your sights on the debt with the next highest rate, and apply the same approach of paying down as much as you can each month, until that debt is retired. As you work through your list of balances – always targeting the one with the highest rate – you’ll reduce your debt and save on interest charges. The debt avalanche strategy may help you get out of debt sooner, but it requires consistent discipline and a steady flow of discretionary cash to put towards your balances.

Debt snowball: Get momentum on your side

Organize your list of debts by the balance owing, from the lowest-dollar balance to the highest. As with the debt avalanche approach, ensure you have sufficient money to live on and to sustain an emergency fund. After making the minimum payment on all balances, your first target will be the smallest balance on your list. Each month, apply discretionary cash to eventually pay off this smallest balance, and then do the same for your next-smallest debt. The snowball approach focuses on systematically eliminating the number of balances outstanding. It may be good for people who enjoy the sense of achievement that comes from seeing fewer bills arrive in their mailbox or inbox. A series of small wins could help people stay motivated to repay their debts. With the snowball method you’ll likely end up paying more interest and will take more time to eliminate your debt, but you’ll see tangible progress sooner.

Be proactive with your debt

The avalanche and snowball methods have their merits and drawbacks, but each can put you on track to eliminate debt faster. While it’s important to stay disciplined with the strategy you choose, it’s also crucial to manage future debt obligations. Being mindful of how much money you spend – and what you spend it on – can help you evaluate your spending habits and avoid impulsive, unnecessary expenses. These expenses can quickly increase your debt balances again and potentially unwind the work you’ve done with the avalanche or snowball method. Stay focused on debt management and you’ll be in a stronger financial position over the long haul.