The debt snowball method
The snowball method focuses extra money on the smallest balance first while making minimum payments on the others. After the smallest debt is paid off, that payment rolls into the next smallest debt. The main advantage is motivation because accounts disappear faster.
The debt avalanche method
The avalanche method focuses extra money on the highest interest rate first while making minimum payments on the others. This method usually saves the most interest when followed consistently.
Which one saves more?
The avalanche method often wins mathematically because high-interest debt is attacked first. The snowball method can still be useful if quick wins help you stay consistent.
What matters most
The best method is the one you can stick with. A perfect plan does not help if it gets abandoned. It can also make sense to combine methods, such as paying off one very small balance first and then switching to the highest interest rate.
Before paying extra
Keep up with minimum payments, avoid late fees, and consider building a small emergency buffer. Extra payments are most useful when they do not cause new debt later.