I Tried Two Debt Repayment Methods—Here’s What Helped Me Get Out of Debt Faster

A few years ago, I found myself staring down at a credit card statement with a sinking feeling in my stomach. Between student loans, a personal credit card disaster, and a car loan, my debt loomed over me like a dark cloud. The sheer weight of it all felt overwhelming, and to be honest, I didn’t even know where to begin. I knew I couldn’t keep living paycheck to paycheck, praying for some magical windfall. I needed a plan, and what I found through trial, error, and persistence was that not all debt repayment strategies are created equal.

I experimented with two popular methods for tackling debt, and along the way, I discovered what works, what doesn’t, and how you can find a rhythm that matches your financial situation.

Takeaways

• Breaking your debt into smaller goals can keep you motivated.
• The avalanche method saves you money but requires patience.
• The snowball method builds momentum and confidence early.
• Tracking your progress is key to staying motivated.
• Making small lifestyle changes (not drastic sacrifices) can accelerate your success.

Method 1: The Snowball Method

Ever hear the saying, “Small wins lead to big changes?” That’s the heart of the snowball method. Instead of focusing on interest rates, this strategy gets you tackling the smallest debts first. Once you clear one debt, you roll its payment into the next one, creating momentum as you go.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that Americans now owe a staggering $1.182 trillion in credit card debt, as of early 2025.

Here’s what it looked like for me:

• My smallest debt was a lingering $400 medical bill, followed by a $1,200 department store credit card balance.
• I focused every spare penny on the $400 bill, scrapping together payments from side gig income. Within a month, it was paid off.
• The sense of accomplishment from that single win was incredibly motivating.

The snowball method might not save you as much on interest as other strategies, but the emotional impact can’t be overlooked. For someone like me who struggled with procrastination, knocking out those first few debts was the push I needed.

What I Learned

The rapid wins made money management feel empowering rather than overwhelming. However, once I’d paid off the smaller balances, I noticed how much interest my larger debts (like my student loans) were accruing. That’s when I decided to pivot.

Method 2: The Avalanche Method

The avalanche method, in contrast, is math-driven. It involves tackling the debt with the highest interest rate first, saving you money over the long haul. I switched to this approach after my confidence grew from snowballing a few smaller debts.

Here’s how I applied it:

• I listed all my debts and their interest rates. My car loan had a 6% rate, but my credit card was at a whopping 21%.
• Every extra payment after meeting minimums went toward the credit card.

This strategy felt less like an emotional payoff and more like strategic chess. The toughest part? It didn’t provide quick wins. Two months in, I started to feel my motivation waver because the progress wasn’t as immediately satisfying.

What Helped Me Stick With It

To keep myself on track, I started visualizing my progress (literally). I grabbed a poster board, divided it into sections representing my total debt, and colored in a box each time I paid off $500. It sounds simple, but turning progress into something tangible made a huge difference.

The avalanche method can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest compared to paying debts in random order.

The Combo Strategy That Actually Worked for Me

I call it “emotional snowball, practical avalanche.” Here’s how it looked in real life:

• I started with a couple of small debts to create quick wins and build momentum.
• Then I shifted focus to my highest-interest balance for maximum savings.
• When I started feeling tired or overwhelmed, I allowed myself to tackle a mid-sized, more manageable balance—not because it was mathematically optimal, but because I needed a win.

What helped was not locking myself into one rigid path. I used the math of the avalanche method as a guide, but gave myself permission to occasionally “snowball” a balance for emotional payoff. It was a mix of logic and self-compassion—and that’s what made it sustainable.

Lifestyle Tweaks That Made Debt Repayment Faster

You can’t talk about debt repayment without addressing spending, but cutting back doesn’t always have to mean deprivation. Here are a few unexpected changes that saved me time and money while staying realistic:

1. The No-Impulse Rule

Before buying anything that wasn’t essential, I forced myself to wait 72 hours. Nine times out of ten, I didn’t actually need that purchase (hello, forgotten carts of random skincare).

2. The Weekday No-Spend Challenge

I gamified saving by setting a goal to spend zero discretionary money from Monday to Friday. Packing lunches and cutting back on midweek happy hours added up fast.

3. Automating My Savings

Once I realized how little effort automation required, I set up weekly transfers to make minimum payments automatic. I even created a “micro-savings” rule where every Friday, I rounded leftover dollars in my account into my debt repayment pot.

4. Turning Hobbies Into Side Income

I dusted off my photography skills and picked up a few gigs doing portraits, which gave me an extra $300 a month to throw at debt. This kept me engaged, without sacrificing time with friends on weekends.

While fast repayment is tempting, burning out on a restrictive budget usually backfires. I learned to balance spending with my repayment goals. It wasn’t about cutting every coffee or meal out, just being intentional.

What I Would’ve Done Differently (And What I’d Do Again)

I wouldn’t wait so long to ask for help. I kept my debt quiet for too long, thinking it was something to hide. But the truth is, so many people carry some kind of debt—and most of us just need better tools and a little more grace.

I also wouldn’t avoid the interest rates. Looking at them hurt, yes. But understanding how much I was actually paying lit a fire I really needed. Sometimes the hard truths are what push you forward.

What I would do again, without question: use a hybrid strategy that honors both math and motivation. Stay flexible. Celebrate the small stuff. And track your wins like they matter—because they do.

Debt Repayment Is All About Alignment

Here’s the thing I learned that doesn’t get said enough: Getting out of debt isn’t just a financial move. It’s a mindset shift. A lifestyle reset. A quiet decision, made over and over again, to move toward freedom—no matter how long it takes.

It’s not about choosing the “right” method. It’s about choosing you over and over again. Choosing peace over panic. Progress over perfection.

And if you're still in it—still working your plan—know this: You're not behind. You're not bad with money. You're in the middle of a powerful transition. One step at a time.

And now, I get to decide what to build next.