Plan debt payoff

The debt planner helps you turn balances, APRs, and minimum payments into a calendar-aware payoff plan.

What to enter

• Debt name
• Current balance
• APR
• Minimum payment
• Due day

Choose a strategy

CalBudget can compare payoff orders such as highest interest first or smallest balance first.

Export to calendar

When a plan looks right, export it. CalBudget adds planned debt payments to the calendar so your future cash flow reflects the payoff plan.

What the debt planner needs

Debt payoff planning works best when each debt has a real balance, APR, minimum payment, and due date. These values let CalBudget compare payoff strategies and show how payments affect the calendar.

Build a payoff plan

1. Add each debt account.
2. Enter the balance, APR, minimum payment, and due day.
3. Choose a strategy to compare payoff order.
4. Review whether the payment budget is realistic.
5. Check the projected payoff timeline.
6. Export the payment plan to the calendar when you are ready.

Compare strategies

Highest-interest-first can reduce interest pressure. Smallest-balance-first can create faster visible wins. The better strategy is the one you can follow while keeping the rest of your cash flow stable.

After exporting payments

Exported payments affect your running balance like other planned expenses. Review the dates around each payment and make sure the plan does not create a new low balance problem before payday.

Debt plan checklist

• Every debt has a current balance.
• APRs are entered as accurately as possible.
• Minimum payments match the required monthly amounts.
• Payment dates line up with real due days.
• Exported payments do not create a cash-flow problem.

Keep the plan realistic

A payoff plan only works if the calendar can survive it. If the exported plan creates negative days, lower the extra payment, move the payment date, or adjust other planned spending before committing.

Review after life changes

Update the plan when income changes, a minimum payment changes, a balance is transferred, or a debt is paid off outside the planned schedule. Debt planning should stay connected to the real calendar, not remain frozen as an old estimate.