The two methods
Avalanche vs. Snowball
Both funnel every spare dirham at one debt at a time while paying minimums on the rest. They differ on which debt goes first — and that choice is really about money vs. momentum.
Debt Avalanche
Attack the debt with the highest interest rate first, then roll its payment onto the next-highest. Mathematically optimal — it clears your most expensive debt fastest, so you pay the least interest overall.
Debt Snowball
Attack the smallest balance first, regardless of rate. You clear whole debts quickly, and each payoff is a visible win that keeps you going. You may pay a little more interest — but many people stick with it longer.
| ❄️ Avalanche | ⛄ Snowball | |
|---|---|---|
| Pays off first | Highest interest rate | Smallest balance |
| Best for | Saving the most money | Staying motivated |
| Total interest paid | Lowest possible | Slightly higher |
| First win arrives | Later | Sooner |
| Good if… | You're rate-driven and patient | You need momentum |
A quick example
Say you have a small store card at 36% and a large personal loan at 9%. Avalanchehits the 36% card first — it's bleeding you the fastest — saving the most interest. Snowball might clear a tiny AED 900 balance first for an instant win, then move on. Same budget, different order, different feeling.
You don't have to guess
Ledger runs both plans on your real numbers and shows them side by side — debt-free date, total interest, and month-by-month — so you can pick the one that fits how you're wired.