Changing snowball order

**Shya** · 06-08-2009, 03:58 PM

We've been following Daves plan for about a year now. We've paid off our smaller debts in order of smallest to largest. We've now got two large debts left, approx $16,000 and $26,000. The plan has been to snowball the lower of the two, following the plan. But, I am considering paying off the larger balance first, because: 1. It is the more motivating of the two for me. 2. It is easier to make multiple payments per month on the larger balance. I can hop online and within a few clicks, a payment is made. Not nearly as easy for the smaller. I like the instant gratification, and it keeps me motivated.

Would you do it? Have you done it?

QM · 06-08-2009, 04:13 PM

I say 'do what works for you'. If it keeps you motivated to pay off the larger amount first, then do so. Regardless, you'll be getting rid of debt...which is a good thing.

**mateosbaby** · 06-08-2009, 06:42 PM

I think you should do what keeps you most motivated and on track. If you'd rather tackle the big one first, go for it!

**MarianneR** · 06-09-2009, 05:14 PM

Shya,

We got on the Dave Ramsey plan about 18 months ago. My husband was on board with the idea of getting out of debt, but wanted to do it in a different order than Dave recommends. (He chose to pay things off according to interest rate.) After 25 years of marriage, I have learned to choose your battles, so I gave DH that bit of control. All the debts got paid off just the same. We are as debt-free as we would have been if we'd done it Dave's way.

Dave's philosophy is that paying off the smaller debts keeps you motivated. That's the whole idea. If paying off a larger debt works best for you, then I say go for it! Staying motivated is what it's all about.

Cheers,

Marianne

**mateosbaby** · 06-09-2009, 05:26 PM

Marianne's post also made me think, with motivation as the key to it, if it turns out paying off that bigger debt isn't keeping you motivated anymore, there's nothing saying you can't switch it around again and start paying more on the smaller debt instead.

Just do what keeps you motivated, and if you're not staying motivated, change it up and find what does keep you motivated.

**Cricketlegs** · 06-10-2009, 11:30 AM

Another thing to consider is that if you do pay the larger one first you will still be paying on the smaller debt and it might reach a point where you might stop the snowball, switch it over, and pay off the smaller then finish the larger one.

It is all about DOING something about the debt.

Congrats on your sucesses so far and welcome to the village!

**MaryCarney** · 06-12-2009, 12:10 AM

It's all about motivation! Just get ANGRY at that debt, and attack it each and every day.

**Shya** · 06-17-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by mateosbaby

Marianne's post also made me think, with motivation as the key to it, if it turns out paying off that bigger debt isn't keeping you motivated anymore, there's nothing saying you can't switch it around again and start paying more on the smaller debt instead.

I hadn't thought of it that way.

Thanks for the support!