Smallest Balance First
Pay minimums on all debts. Throw every extra dollar at your smallest balance until it's gone. Then roll that payment to the next smallest. R...
Highest Interest First
Pay minimums on all debts. Throw every extra dollar at the highest-interest debt first. This is the mathematically optimal strategy — it sav...
Debt Consolidation
Combine multiple debts into one single loan — ideally at a lower interest rate. Simplifies your payments to one monthly bill and reduces tot...
Balance Transfer Method
Move high-interest credit card debt to a new card offering 0% APR for an introductory period (typically 12–21 months). Pay it off before the...
Emotional Priority Method
Pay off whichever debt causes you the most stress first — regardless of balance or interest rate. This is a psychology-driven approach, not ...
Debt-to-Income Reduction Plan
Track your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio monthly. Set a target below 36%. Every financial decision is evaluated by whether it improves this num...
Debt Settlement Negotiation
Negotiate directly with creditors to pay a lump sum less than what you owe. Typically used when accounts are already seriously delinquent. L...
Payment Windfall Method
Pre-commit to sending any unexpected money — tax refunds, bonuses, gifts, side income — directly to debt before it gets absorbed into everyd...