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README.md

Personal Finance Debt Payoff Calculator & Strategy Planner

Description

A Python-based debt payoff calculator that helps you strategically plan your debt repayment. This tool compares two popular debt repayment strategies:

  • Debt Avalanche: Pay off debts with the highest interest rate first (saves more money)
  • Debt Snowball: Pay off debts with the lowest balance first (provides quick wins)

Features

  • Calculate payoff time for multiple debts
  • Compare Avalanche vs Snowball strategies
  • Track total interest paid
  • Visualize debt payoff timeline
  • Get personalized recommendations

Usage

python debt_payoff_calculator.py

Input Required

  • Number of debts
  • For each debt:
    • Name (e.g., "Credit Card", "Student Loan")
    • Current balance
    • Annual interest rate (%)
    • Minimum monthly payment
  • Extra monthly payment amount (optional)

Output

The calculator provides:

  1. Avalanche Strategy Results: Total payoff time and order of debt elimination
  2. Snowball Strategy Results: Total payoff time and order of debt elimination
  3. Recommendation: Guidance on which strategy may work best for your situation

Example

Personal Finance Debt Payoff Calculator
==================================================
Number of debts: 2

Debt #1:
  Name: Credit Card
  Balance: $5000
  Interest Rate (%): 18.5
  Minimum Payment: $150

Debt #2:
  Name: Student Loan
  Balance: $10000
  Interest Rate (%): 6.5
  Minimum Payment: $200

Extra monthly payment: $300

==================================================
AVALANCHE STRATEGY (Highest Interest First)
==================================================
Total payoff time: 24 months (2y 0m)
  Credit Card: Paid off in month 12
  Student Loan: Paid off in month 24

==================================================
SNOWBALL STRATEGY (Lowest Balance First)
==================================================
Total payoff time: 25 months (2y 1m)
  Credit Card: Paid off in month 11
  Student Loan: Paid off in month 25

==================================================
Recommendation: Avalanche saves more on interest, Snowball provides quick wins.

Benefits

  • Avalanche Method: Minimizes total interest paid, faster overall debt freedom
  • Snowball Method: Provides psychological motivation through quick wins

Requirements

  • Python 3.6+
  • No external dependencies required (uses only standard library)

Related to Issue

Solves issue #630: Personal Finance Debt Payoff Calculator & Strategy Planner

License

This project follows the repository's license.