Compare rates, not balances
A $500 card at 20% costs more interest per dollar than a 6% mortgage. Paying the card first reduces interest faster. The mortgage balance can look more urgent because it is larger. The rate is the avalanche test.
This site does not pull your card rates. The DTI calculator can show how those payments affect a housing ratio. It does not order the debts.
When the mortgage still gets the money
Private mortgage insurance, a risky adjustable reset, or a payment that already fails your budget can matter more than the pure rate ranking. Those are reasons outside the avalanche.
Refinancing cards into the mortgage lowers the rate only on paper if you also lengthen the debt and secure it with the house. See the cash-out guide before treating that as an avalanche win.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | List the interest rates |
| 2 | Pay minimums on all of them |
| 3 | Send extra cash to the highest rate |
Calculators
Related guides
Sources
Common questions
Is avalanche the same as snowball?
No. Snowball pays the smallest balance first for motivation. Avalanche pays the highest rate first for interest. This guide describes avalanche.
Should I stop retirement contributions to pay the mortgage?
The calculators do not weigh an employer match or a tax-advantaged account. That is a larger decision than the mortgage schedule.