Blog

What is the Debt Snowball Method?

How to Reduce Debt with the Debt Snowball Method

  If you are reviewing your finances and realizing that you are underwater in debt, it can feel very stressful and challenging to get yourself out of it. The Debt Snowball Method is a strategic way to reduce, and eventually, eliminate debt. Here’s how the Debt Snowball Method works.  

How to Use the Debt Snowball Method

  As the name suggests, the Debt Snowball Method is designed to help people get out of debt by starting small and gaining traction as time goes on. Follow these steps to use the Debt Snowball Method.  

 
  1. Gather your debts and list them from smallest to largest. Common debts include credit card, student loans, auto loans, and medical bills.
  2. Pay minimum payments on each debt on time. Doing this will ensure that you aren’t charged any late or missing payment fees and your credit doesn’t take a negative hit.
  3. With your remaining money, pay off as much as you can for the smallest debt. Let’s assume that your credit card is $1,000 in debt, your auto loan has $2,000 left to go, and your student loan still has $10,000. With the Debt Snowball Method, you will want to pay down your credit card balance first before your auto or student loans, even if one of these loans has a higher interest rate.
  4. Roll over payments from debts paid off to the next. This is where the snowball effect comes in. Money that you would’ve normally paid towards that credit card debt is now available to be put towards your auto loan. Once your auto loan is paid off, money from both your credit card debt and auto loan will now be available for your student loan. Soon, you will realize that by eliminating smaller debts, it will be much easier to pay off larger ones. Also, getting rid of that smaller debt will certainly feel good!
  5. Repeat until you are debt-free. A big part of getting out of debt is discipline. Eliminating one debt doesn’t mean you should take on another. Stay focused and stay positive about paying down your debt and eventually you won’t need to stress over it any longer.
 
  While not all debts are planned, such as an emergency trip to the hospital or an unfortunate car accident, you can help reduce the financial strain from these sudden debts with healthy budgeting habits. Check out the popular 50/30/20 budget rule to find out if you are spending too much each month.   For more financial tips, along with everything automotive, make sure to follow the OKCarz blog. Do you need a high-quality reliable vehicle that fits your budget? Explore our current pre-owned vehicle inventory online here.

Recommended Posts

Hand holding a phone showing an upward-trending credit score line above a desk with car keys and a wallet.

Which Habits Matter Most to Your Credit Score?

Smart Credit Habits That Pay Off Having bad credit sucks. And a lot of the time, it's not necessarily your fault. Credit fraud can destroy your credit, for instance. People who haven't had a lot of debt or haven't taken out loans also won't have much credit history, resulting in a pretty poor credit score. Don't worry—good credit habits are something you can start practicing today. Here are the ones that matter most. The Habits at a Glance Pay off your credit card at the end of each month Don't miss payments on cards or loans Keep the number of credit cards you carry manageable Only borrow what you can afford Pay Off Your Balance One of the best credit habits is to completely pay off your credit card at the end of every month. If this isn't possible, then consider designating your credit card for only essential bills like utilities, groceries, and gas. Try to keep what you owe below 30% of your credit limit if completely paying off your credit card isn't something that you can do reliably. Do Not Miss Payments Missing a payment here or there isn't great, but it's not the end of the world. Consistently missing payments is terrible. Timely payments show lenders that you are responsible and that they will get the money owed to them if they were to lend to you. Prioritize making your payments on time, every time—according to FICO's published breakdown, payment history is the single biggest factor in computing your credit score. Have Only a Few Cards If you don't have a credit card, get one, and only one. If you have multiple cards, try consolidating them. Pay off cards with low balances and either stop using them altogether or cancel them. If you have more than three credit cards, you may be shooting yourself in the financial foot. Need a Car, But Have Bad Credit? Here at OK Carz, we work with all credit situations through The OK Carz Finance Solution—bad credit, no credit, we welcome your application. All we need are three simple documents to get started: verifiable income, a valid U.S. driver's license, and proof of Florida residence. And our in-house financing reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus, so every timely payment you make becomes a positive entry in your record. Apply for pre-approval online at okcarz.com—it takes less than 2 minutes—or ask about trading in your old vehicle. All financing is subject to approval and verification of income, identity, and Florida residency. See dealer for details. OK Carz – Anything Else is NOT OK.

Driver’s view from behind the wheel of an open road at sunrise, heading toward the horizon.

What is the OK Carz Conquest Program?

Today's Keys, Tomorrow's Options Most buy here pay here dealerships are focused on one thing: getting you into a car today. And look, we get it—that's the urgent part. When you need wheels to get to work, today matters. But here's a question most buy here pay here car dealers never ask: what about your tomorrow? That's where the OK Carz Conquest Program comes in, and it's one more way OK Carz goes beyond the traditional buy here pay here model. What the Conquest Program Is The Conquest Program is simple to explain: after 12 months of timely payments, customers may have the opportunity to qualify for traditional lending through conventional lenders. It's a potential path forward—from in-house financing today toward conventional lending options down the road. It's an opportunity, never a guarantee—qualifying depends on your overall situation when the time comes. But it's a path that many traditional buy here pay here lots simply don't offer, and it reflects how we think about our customers: not as a payment, but as a driver with somewhere to go. How You Get There The journey starts with The OK Carz Finance Solution, our in-house financing program. We work with all credit situations—bad credit, no credit, we welcome your application. All we need are three simple documents to get started: verifiable income, a valid U.S. driver's license, and proof of Florida residence. From there, every payment counts. Our in-house financing reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus, so your payment history goes on the record with every one you make on time. Twelve months of timely payments later, you may have the opportunity to qualify for traditional lending through the Conquest Program. And because OK Carz is Buy-Here-Pay-Anywhere, staying on schedule is easier than at traditional buy here pay here dealerships that make you drive to the lot every time. Pay through our online portal, at Walmart or Amscot locations, by mail, or by phone—whatever fits your life. Start the Clock Today Here's the thing about a 12-month milestone: it starts whenever you do. Every month you wait is a month further from the opportunity. Get pre-approved online at okcarz.com in less than 2 minutes, then visit any of our 11 buy here pay here dealerships across Central Florida—from Tampa to Orlando, Lakeland to Ocala, Bradenton to Kissimmee—where in-person approval normally takes less than 15 minutes. Our inventory of used cars, SUVs, trucks, and minivans moves fast, so don't sit on it. Questions first? Call (888) 263-2024, Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–7 PM. Your next chapter could start with the car you drive home this week. All financing is subject to approval and verification of income, identity, and Florida residency. See dealer for details. OK Carz – Anything Else is NOT OK.

OK Carz finance specialist in a light green polo receiving a driver’s license and proof of income from a customer at a dealership desk

Who Qualifies for Financing at OK Carz?

The OK Carz Finance Solution Requirements Do you have bad or no credit? OK Carz works with all credit situations through The OK Carz Finance Solution, our in-house financing program. Our in-house financing reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus, and after 12 months of timely payments, customers may have the opportunity to qualify for traditional lending through the OK Carz Conquest Program. Wondering what it takes to apply? Check out our eligibility requirements regarding identification and income below. Proof of Identification and Florida Residence Financing is available to Florida residents. Customers must prove Florida residence by simply providing a recent utility bill or bank statement. In addition, a valid U.S. driver's license must be presented for identification. Verifiable Income Regarding income, customers must have verifiable income in order to apply. To prove your income, customers can present their choice of their most recent paystub or recent bank statements. Our team will walk you through anything else needed when you visit. If you are ready to get started, apply for pre-approval online at okcarz.com—it takes less than 2 minutes—or call our team at (888) 263-2024. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have. All financing is subject to approval and verification of income, identity, and Florida residency. See dealer for details. OK Carz – Anything Else is NOT OK.