Our Methodology

This page explains exactly how we build our calculators, source our data, and review our content. We document our methodology because YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content deserves transparency, not vague reassurances.

Calculator math

All our calculators use standard amortization formulas. For a debt with balance B, monthly APR r (annual APR / 12), and monthly payment P, the months to payoff are computed iteratively: each month, interest accrues (B × r), the payment is applied to interest first then principal, and balance reduces. This is the same method used by the CFPB in their published consumer calculators.

For multiple debts under the snowball method, we order debts by balance ascending; minimum payments are made on all, and extra payment is directed at the smallest. When a debt clears, its payment cascades to the next. For the avalanche method, debts are ordered by APR descending; same cascading logic applies.

Data sources

Every statistical claim on this site is sourced from one of the following authoritative bodies:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — for credit card data, consumer rights, debt collection statistics
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York — for household debt totals, delinquency rates, credit conditions
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — for tax-related debt, refund averages, tax credit data
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — for debt settlement regulations, consumer protection rules
• Peer-reviewed academic research — for behavioral research on debt repayment strategies (e.g., Kellogg School snowball studies)

Review cycle

Every page has a "Last reviewed" date at the bottom. Our review cadence:

• Pillar pages (debt payoff strategies, credit card debt, debt consolidation): reviewed at minimum every 6 months
• Calculator pages: math verified after every code change, content reviewed annually
• Blog articles: reviewed annually or when underlying data changes (e.g., Fed reports new credit card APR averages)
• Statistical claims: re-verified against the most current source quarterly

Editorial independence

We participate in affiliate programs. When we recommend a debt consolidation product or balance transfer card, it is because the math works for typical users in the scenarios we describe — not because we earn more on one product than another. Read our affiliate disclosure for the specific commercial relationships we have.

Corrections policy

If you find an error in our content or calculations, please email xaviercahe@gmail.com. We take corrections seriously: factual errors are corrected promptly and the page is updated with a new "Last reviewed" date. Significant corrections are noted at the bottom of the affected article.

What we don't claim

We don't claim to provide personalized financial advice. We don't claim to know your specific situation. We don't claim that any single strategy works for everyone. We don't claim that following our calculators will eliminate financial stress. What we do claim: the math is correct, the data is sourced from authoritative bodies, and our content is reviewed honestly.

Last reviewed: May 26, 2026.