Paying off debt can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without the picture on the box.
You know what the end should look like: debt-free and less stressed, but figuring out where to start, what pieces fit where, and how to stay motivated can be overwhelming.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all method, the key is choosing a strategy that works for your brain and your budget.
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The money you don’t spend? That’s your new debt payoff fund.
Now, let’s find your path forward.
There are two main strategies to pay off debt:
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Debt Snowball: This is where you start with your loan that has the smallest balance. Quick wins help build momentum and motivation. Perfect for those who need visible progress to keep going.
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Debt Avalanche: This is where you tackle the highest interest rate first. It can be slower to start, but saves you more in the long run. Ideal if long-term savings fires you up.
🎯 Your 3-Step Challenge:
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📋 List all your debts (balance, interest, minimums).
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⬇️ Download and use our FREE Debt Payoff Workbook to map it out.
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🧚 Pick your method and throw any extra cash at your top-priority debt.
Want even more help keeping your strategy organized?
📊 Our mobile-optimized Spending Planner Spreadsheet is designed to keep everything in order. From monthly budgeting to tracking spending and seeing your full year at a glance, it’s a practical, easy-to-use tool to help you stay focused and on track with your debt freedom goals!
This Week on Frugal Friends
On Tuesday, we unpacked the billion-dollar back-to-school machine and how marketers use fear and guilt to get parents to overspend, PLUS what to do instead. Catch it all on Youtube: Deinfluencing BACK TO SCHOOL Sales
We also talked even more about debt payoff in our episode: Which Debt Should You Pay Off First?
Tune in wherever you get podcasts and let us know what you thought of the episode over on our latest Instagram post!
Weekend Checklist
✅ Do: Vote for Frugal Friends as ‘Best Podcast’ in best of the bay! After 7.5 years of doing this thing we would love to win an award 😂
✅ Watch (and please subscribe!): to our YouTube channel! we’re doing some fun stuff over there and would love to connect with you all in the comments 💜
✅ Meal prep: This fast Easy High Protein Mapo Tofu Recipe. 44g of protein?! 😲
Talk soon,
Misti
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.
