Question 1

Is Snowball or Avalanche better for gig workers?

Accepted Answer

Snowball, for income-fragmentation reasons. Gig income arrives in dozens of small amounts daily; the simplest possible rule (send today's surplus to the smallest balance) survives the schedule that defeats Avalanche's monthly-rate-tracking model. The math says Avalanche saves $400-800 on $15k; the operational simplicity of Snowball is worth more.

Question 2

How do I track gig income for a debt payoff plan?

Accepted Answer

Use the platform's weekly summary, not the daily one. Daily volatility is too noisy to plan against; weekly averages over 4-6 weeks show your actual income range. Apply the median weekly net to the household budget; anything above median goes to debt. This pattern naturally accelerates payoff during strong weeks.

Question 3

Should I claim all gig income for tax purposes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Underreporting gig income triggers IRS audits at higher rates than W-2 underpayment, and the resulting back taxes plus penalties become new debt at IRS short-term rates plus 3%. Use a separate account for gig earnings; transfer 25-30% to a tax savings account weekly before deploying the rest.

Question 4

How do vehicle expenses affect my gig work debt payoff?

Accepted Answer

Track them. Most gig drivers underestimate vehicle wear at $0.30-0.50 per mile; the IRS standard mileage rate accounts for this at $0.65-0.70/mile. Subtract real vehicle costs from gross gig earnings to find your true net. Most gig debt accumulates because the household budget treats gross earnings as available cash.

Question 5

Is my gig platform information private when I use this calculator?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is no platform field, no driver ID field, no earnings import. The calculator only takes per-debt balance, rate, and minimum payment. The numbers stay in your browser. No app data, no driver score, no platform integration.

Question 6

What do I do if I get a large payment all at once?

Accepted Answer

When a big payment lands — a project deposit, a bonus, a tax refund, a commission check — treat it as the best extra-payment opportunity of the year. Put it directly toward whichever debt the calculator is prioritizing. A single $2,000 lump sum can compress your debt-free date by more than six months of $200-per-month extra payments. The slider only shows consistent monthly extra amounts; for lump sums, re-run the calculator after the payment with a lower remaining balance.

Question 7

My income is much higher in some seasons than others. How do I plan around that?

Accepted Answer

Use a 12-month average of your income, not your peak month. Over-planning against a good summer creates a gap every winter. Find your lowest-income month and set your extra payment target at what you can actually manage then. In your high months, send as much extra as you can — treat those months as lump-sum opportunities (see above). Your debt-free date from the calculator reflects the consistent amount you enter; your actual date will be earlier when you apply high-season surpluses.

Question 8

I have multiple income sources. How do I use this calculator?

Accepted Answer

Add up all your take-home income from all sources to get your monthly total. Then subtract all your fixed obligations — rent, car, insurance, minimum debt payments — to find your real discretionary amount. That leftover is what you can allocate to extra debt payments. It does not matter whether the money comes from two jobs, a side hustle, or three freelance clients; the calculator only needs the extra amount you can consistently send each month. On months when one stream dries up, reduce the extra payment for that month and re-run.

Question 9

I drive for Uber or DoorDash — my car is both a debt and my income tool. Should I aggressively pay it off?

Accepted Answer

This is the specific trap of rideshare debt. Paying off the car faster saves interest but also reduces your monthly payment — which is one of your lowest-rate debts. If your car loan is at 9-10% and your credit cards are at 24-28%, the cards are draining your income far faster than the car loan. The calculator's Avalanche recommendation will tell you to attack the high-rate credit cards first and pay only the minimum on the car loan. Your car stays; the expensive debt disappears faster.

DebtPayoffToolforGigWorkers

Pre-loaded with a typical gig economy debt profile

Common questions