Credit Card Payoff Planner
Enter your card balances and monthly payment to compare avalanche vs snowball — and see your debt-free date.
Runs entirely in your browser — your numbers never leave this page.
How it works
Two proven strategies for killing card debt, both using one fixed monthly payment:
- Avalanche: attack the highest APR first. Mathematically cheapest — every rupee kills the most expensive debt.
- Snowball: attack the smallest balance first. You pay slightly more interest, but quick wins keep motivation alive.
- The real enemy: minimum-only payments. At 42% APR, minimums can stretch Rs 1.5L into a decade of payments.
- Minimums assumed: 5% of balance or Rs 500, whichever is higher — typical Indian card terms.
- Speed lever: every extra Rs 1,000/month cuts months off. A balance-transfer card (0% intro) or personal loan at 12–14% can refinance 40%+ card APRs.
Frequently asked questions
Avalanche or snowball — which is better?
Avalanche costs less in interest; snowball feels better with faster first wins. The difference is usually small — pick the one you'll actually stick with.
How are minimum payments calculated?
Typically 5% of the outstanding balance or a flat Rs 500, whichever is higher. This planner uses that standard.
How fast can I clear Rs 2 lakh of card debt?
At Rs 25,000/month across cards averaging 36% APR: roughly 10–11 months. At minimums only: several years.
Should I take a personal loan to pay cards?
Often yes — refinancing 36–42% card APR into a 12–14% personal loan slashes interest, as long as you don't run the cards back up.
Does closing cards help?
No — closing cards hurts your credit utilization ratio and shortens credit history. Pay them off, keep them open, don't use them.
What if I can't cover minimums?
Call the bank before missing payments — hardship programs exist. Missing payments triggers late fees plus CIBIL damage.
Balance transfer cards in India?
A few banks offer 0%-low intro rates on transferred balances for 3–6 months. Read the revert rate — it jumps after the intro period.
How does card interest compound?
Monthly on the outstanding balance — 42% APR ≈ 3.5%/month. Unpaid interest itself starts earning interest next month.
Should I invest while in card debt?
No — no investment reliably beats a guaranteed 36–42% return from killing card debt. Clear it first.
Will this hurt my CIBIL score?
Paying down helps it — utilization drops and history builds. The score recovers as balances fall.