Tools
Debt payoff calculator
Compare avalanche and snowball plans in rands. See payoff dates, total interest, and what an extra payment changes before you commit.
Currency
Defaults lean South African (rand). Rates update when you switch currency. Override any rate on each debt.
Your debts
Add every balance you want in the plan. Minimums stay on all debts; extras go to one focus debt at a time. When a debt clears, its minimum moves to the next focus debt.
Debt 1
R
% a year
R
Debt 2
R
% a year
R
Total debt
R205,000
Total minimums
R5,250
Extra payment
Tap the amount to type an exact figure. This sits on top of your minimums.
Total you pay each month
R7,250
Results
Avalanche and snowball cost about the same in interest with these numbers. Pick the path you will stick with.
Avalanche
R41,685
interest · 2 yrs, 11 mo
Snowball
R41,685
interest · 2 yrs, 11 mo
Time to debt-free
2 yrs, 11 mo
Total interest
R41,685
Starting monthly payment
R7,250
Payoff order
1. Credit cardFocus
22.5% · start R25,000
R2,666
interest
2. Car loan
12.75% · start R180,000
R39,019
interest
Avalanche vs snowball, simply
Both methods pay the minimum on every debt, then throw every extra rand at one focus debt. Avalanche picks the highest interest rate first to cut total interest. Snowball picks the smallest balance first so you clear debts sooner and stay motivated. When a debt clears, its minimum moves to the next focus debt, so your total monthly payment stays the same. When rates and balances are close, the cheaper path and the motivating path often look similar. Pick the one you will actually follow.
How to use this calculator
Enter each balance, rate, and minimum. Set an extra payment you can afford every month. Compare the two paths in the summary and results card. If you expect raises, add a small annual increase so the plan grows with you.
Common questions.
More calculators.
Keep reading.
Debt · May 12, 2025
Debt Restructuring: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Do It
A practical South Africa guide to debt restructuring and debt counselling context: what it solves, how to approach lenders calmly, and when to use a payoff calculator. Not legal advice.
Budgeting · October 5, 2026
Can I actually afford this?
The price on the tag is not the cost of saying yes. See a South African example in rands, why a repayment that fits can still be expensive, and a free calculator for your own quote.
Housing · October 1, 2026
Should I invest or pay off my home loan?
A practical South African guide to putting extra money into your bond or investing it. Compare the after-fee return with your bond rate, then run your own rands in the free calculator.
