Debt calculator cluster
Debt Consolidation Comparison Calculator
Compare staying the course with snowball or avalanche against rolling everything into one modeled consolidation loan.
This page is a decision helper, not a generic toy calculator. It highlights the tradeoff between lower monthly payments, faster payoff, and lower total cost while calling out fee drag, secured-loan risk, and the classic mistake of rebuilding card balances after consolidation.
Scenario builder
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How to use this calculator
- Enter each debt with its current balance, APR, and minimum payment.
- Add any extra monthly amount you can consistently throw at the current debt stack.
- Model the consolidation loan using either a target monthly payment or a target payoff date.
- Compare the winners on payment, cost, and payoff speed instead of chasing only one metric.
Methodology
Snowball and avalanche results come from the same shared payoff engine. The only thing that changes is the priority order: smallest balance first for snowball, highest APR first for avalanche.
The consolidation scenario uses a separate installment-loan model that finances upfront fees into the modeled balance for MVP and estimates monthly interest using APR divided by 12.
The winners shown on this page are modeled winners only. They are useful for understanding tradeoffs, but they are not personal financial advice.
FAQ
Is debt consolidation always cheaper?
No. A lower rate can still cost more overall if the term gets stretched out or fees eat the savings.
Why compare snowball and avalanche too?
Because consolidation should beat realistic alternatives, not just look good in isolation.
Why is a home-backed option flagged as risky?
Because securing consumer debt against your home can reduce the rate while increasing downside if repayment goes sideways.
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Disclaimer
These results are scenario estimates based on the assumptions shown here. They do not account for taxes, credit-score effects, lender underwriting, behavioral changes, or every fee a real loan might include.