Pay off your smallest debt first, then roll that payment into the next - see your full snowball payoff timeline.
The debt snowball method has you pay minimums on every debt while throwing all extra money at your smallest balance first. Once it's paid off, you roll that payment into the next-smallest debt, building momentum as you go.
Debts are sorted smallest to largest. Each month, minimum payments are made on every debt, and any extra payment plus freed-up minimums from paid-off debts go entirely toward the current smallest remaining balance.
With an $800 debt and a $3,000 debt, the snowball method pays off the $800 debt first (even though it's not necessarily the highest-interest one), for a quick psychological win.
You pay minimums on all debts but put extra money toward the smallest balance first, then roll that payment into the next-smallest debt once it's paid off.
Snowball prioritizes smallest balance first (for psychological wins and motivation); avalanche prioritizes highest interest rate first (for mathematically minimal total interest).
Debt avalanche typically saves more in total interest, but debt snowball's quick wins can help some people stay motivated and stick with the plan longer.