---
title: "Debt Payoff Planner: Avalanche vs Snowball Python Script"
description: "A Python script that compares avalanche, snowball and minimum-only debt payoff with your extra payment, showing months to debt-free and interest saved."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/debt-payoff-planner-python-script"
---

Paid script

# Debt Payoff Planner (Python script)

List your debts, add what extra you can pay each month, and see exactly how long each strategy takes and what it costs in interest.

[![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)

Paid script

## Debt Payoff Planner Python script

Buy this script on its own for $19, one time. No membership needed. It runs on your own computer and nothing you enter leaves it. Read how it works and the questions below first.

The [Personal Finance Suite](/bookkeeping/personal-finance-suite) includes this and 3 more tools for $29. Members get this included. [See the membership](/membership) or [sign in](/membership/login). Already bought it? Email me my access link.

How it works

## How it works

Each month the script adds interest, pays every minimum, and rolls your extra money plus the minimums freed by paid-off debts onto the target debt. **Avalanche** targets the highest rate first, which minimizes total interest. **Snowball** targets the smallest balance first, which gives quick wins. It compares both with paying only minimums, flags any debt whose minimum does not cover its interest, and can write the full month-by-month schedule to a CSV. Pure Python, no installs, nothing leaves your computer.

FAQ

## About this calculator

**Which is better, avalanche or snowball?**

Avalanche costs less interest. Snowball can be easier to stick with because the first debts disappear sooner. The script shows the dollar and time difference for your own debts so you can decide.

**What does it assume?**

Fixed rates, no new charges and on-time payments. Variable rates, promotional rates that expire and new borrowing will change the real result.

**Is this financial advice?**

No. It is a planning calculator for general information.

**Is anything saved?**

No. The math runs in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to us.

**Is this tax or financial advice?**

No. It is a calculator for general information. Check the numbers against your own records, and ask an accountant before you act on them.

Related: [simple interest calculator](/bookkeeping/simple-interest-calculator), [compound interest calculator](/bookkeeping/compound-interest-calculator). See [all free tools](/free-tools). More free tools: [Tax deduction checklist](/bookkeeping/tax-deduction-checklist), [Contractor vs employee cost](/bookkeeping/contractor-vs-employee-cost-calculator), [Discount and percent change calculator](/bookkeeping/discount-and-percent-change-calculator), or [see all free tools](/free-tools).

Free

### Month-End Close Checklist (PDF)

The five-day close, one page to print. Enter your email and we send a link to confirm it is yours, then the download. We may email you about new toolkits, and every email has an unsubscribe link.

General information, not tax or legal advice. [How we write and check our tools](/editorial-standards).

## Want your books and numbers handled?

[Free health check](/bookkeeping/health-check)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)