Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about DebtRiot

Getting Started

  • Enter your monthly budget (income, essentials, emergency buffer) and your debts (balance, interest rate, minimum payment). DebtRiot calculates 5 different payoff strategies and shows you which one gets you debt-free fastest or saves the most money. You can preview results for free, then purchase your complete PDF plan with full payment schedules.

  • You'll need your monthly take-home pay (after tax), your essential costs (rent, utilities, groceries, transport, insurance), and for each debt: the current balance, interest rate (APR or EAR), and minimum payment. Check your latest statements or banking app — the more accurate your numbers, the more useful your plan.

  • Yes! You can enter all your information, compare all 5 strategies, see your debt-free date, and preview the first 3 months — completely free. You only pay when you want the complete PDF with full payment schedule, calendar, and what-if scenarios.

  • Credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, store cards, car finance, and buy-now-pay-later. Mortgages are not covered — they work differently and typically span 25+ years.

Payoff Strategies

  • Snowball pays off your smallest balance first. You get quick wins and motivation as debts disappear faster — but you may pay more interest overall.

    Avalanche pays off your highest interest rate first. You save the most money mathematically — but it can feel slower early on.

    DebtRiot shows you both so you can choose what matters more: motivation or maths.

  • Hybrid combines both approaches.

    Hybrid S→A starts with Snowball (clear 2 small debts for quick wins), then switches to Avalanche (highest interest) for the rest.

    Hybrid A→S starts with Avalanche, then switches to Snowball later.

    Best of both worlds — psychological momentum plus interest savings.

  • Cash Flow Index (CFI) prioritises debts that free up the most monthly cash flow relative to their balance.

    Formula: Balance ÷ Minimum Payment = CFI

    Lower CFI = pay first. This strategy maximises your monthly breathing room fastest — useful if cash flow is tight.

  • It depends on you. Avalanche saves the most money mathematically. Snowball provides the fastest psychological wins. DebtRiot calculates all 5 and marks the "BEST" one — usually the one that minimises total interest. But the best strategy is the one you'll actually stick with.

UK-Specific

  • APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is used for UK credit cards and loans. DebtRiot divides by 12 for monthly interest.

    EAR (Equivalent Annual Rate) is used for UK overdrafts and accounts for compounding.

    Most US-built calculators get this wrong. DebtRiot handles both correctly.

  • Yes. For any debt with a promotional rate, enter the promo rate and how many months remain. DebtRiot calculates using the promo rate until it expires, then switches to the standard rate automatically. You can also enable "Prioritise ending promos" in Advanced Options.

  • Snowflakes are one-time extra payments you're expecting — like a tax refund, bonus, or birthday money. Add them to your plan with the month they'll arrive, and DebtRiot shows how they accelerate your debt-free date.

Privacy & Security

  • Yes, 100%. All calculations happen in your browser. Your income, debts, and personal data never leave your device — we can't see it even if we wanted to. There's no account, no login, and no data stored on our servers.

  • No. DebtRiot works without any account, email, or sign-up. Your plan is stored locally in your browser. When you purchase, payment is processed securely by Stripe — we never see your card details.

  • No. DebtRiot doesn't run credit checks or connect to any credit reference agencies. Using the calculator or buying the PDF has zero impact on your credit score.

Pricing & Payment

  • Comparing strategies and previewing your plan is free. The complete PDF plan is £9.99 one-time — no subscription, no recurring fees. You get unlimited updates forever on the same device.

  • No. One-time payment. Pay once, access forever. No monthly fees, no annual renewals, no hidden charges. Ever.

  • Come back anytime, update your numbers, and generate a new PDF plan. Once you've paid, you have unlimited access on your device — no extra charge for updates. We recommend reviewing your plan whenever income, debts, or payments change.

  • Because the PDF is personalised and available immediately, the usual 14-day cancellation right doesn't apply once generation starts. However, if your file is corrupted or won't open, email hello@debtriot.co.uk and we'll fix it or refund you.

Your PDF Plan

  • Your PDF includes:

    - Cover page with your debt-free date and key stats

    - Debt breakdown showing all your debts

    - Full payment schedule — every month until debt-free

    - 36-month calendar showing exactly what to pay when

    - Milestones — when each debt gets cleared

    - What-if scenarios — see how paying extra accelerates your journey

  • Yes, the PDF is designed to be printed. Many people stick the calendar on their fridge or keep the payment schedule visible as motivation.

Legal & Support

  • No. DebtRiot is an information and planning tool. We are not authorised by the FCA. If you're struggling to cover essentials or minimum payments, speak with a free UK debt charity like StepChange or National Debtline.

  • Email hello@debtriot.co.uk. We typically respond within 24 hours.

Still have questions?

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