Which debt should I pay off first?

Mathematically, the highest interest rate first (avalanche) always saves the most. If you need quick wins to stay motivated, clearing the smallest balance first (snowball) costs a little more and works for more people. Either beats minimum payments by years.

Should I save or pay off debt first?

Hold a small buffer (even £500 to one month of essentials) so surprises do not go straight back on the card, then attack the debt. Card interest rates dwarf savings rates, so beyond that buffer, the debt wins.

What if I cannot afford even the minimum payments?

That is the point to get free help rather than calculators: StepChange and National Debtline are free, non-judgemental and can negotiate with lenders. Acting early protects far more options than waiting.

Money moment · 6 steps · all free

Debt reset

Face the full list once, kill the minimum-payment trap, find the money to attack with, and get a date when it is done.

1
Face the full list
Every balance, every rate, one screen. The plan orders them so the same money clears everything fastest, and gives you the date.
Debt payoff planner →
2
Stop the minimum trap
Minimum payments shrink as the balance does, which is why a card can take decades. Fixing the amount you pay saves years; see exactly how many.
Credit card minimum payment calculator →
3
Find the attack money
Subscriptions you forgot are the easiest overpayment fund you will ever find. Fifteen minutes of audit usually finds £30 to £80 a month.
Subscription audit →
4
Set the wartime budget
A deliberately lean split that channels everything spare at the debt. It is temporary, and it has an end date now.
Budget planner →
5
Check cheaper borrowing carefully
Consolidating cards into one cheaper loan can help, or quietly extend the pain. Compare the total interest both ways before signing.
Loan repayment calculator →
6
Build the never-again buffer
Most debt restarts come from surprises hitting an empty account. Even one month of essentials breaks that cycle.
Emergency fund calculator →

Not sure where you stand overall?

The Money Health Check scores your whole position in three minutes and ranks what to fix first.

Start the health check

Common questions

Which debt should I pay off first?: Mathematically, the highest interest rate first (avalanche) always saves the most. If you need quick wins to stay motivated, clearing the smallest balance first (snowball) costs a little more and works for more people. Either beats minimum payments by years.
Should I save or pay off debt first?: Hold a small buffer (even £500 to one month of essentials) so surprises do not go straight back on the card, then attack the debt. Card interest rates dwarf savings rates, so beyond that buffer, the debt wins.
What if I cannot afford even the minimum payments?: That is the point to get free help rather than calculators: StepChange and National Debtline are free, non-judgemental and can negotiate with lenders. Acting early protects far more options than waiting.

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Debt reset

Face the full list

Stop the minimum trap

Find the attack money

Set the wartime budget

Check cheaper borrowing carefully

Build the never-again buffer

Common questions