The Math Nobody Taught You

You're Paying Off Debt Wrong. Probably.

Highest interest rate first? Not always. Lowest balance first? Feels good, but leaves money on the table. There's a third way. It is based on a number your bank doesn't show you.

Cash Flow Index score

Your debt efficiency

Payoff Order

Optimized for you

Real Math

Not debt snowball guesses

01Cash Flow Index

Which Debt Is Actually Killing Your Cash Flow?

It's not about interest rates. It's about how much cash each debt traps every month. The Cash Flow Index tells you which debts, if paid off, would free up the most cash fastest. It's simple math. Almost nobody does it.

Step 01

Plug In What You Owe

Mortgage, car, credit cards, business loans, whatever you've got. Balance and monthly payment. Takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

See Which Debts Are Bleeding You

Each debt gets a Cash Flow Index score. Lower = more cash freed per dollar paid off. The results might surprise you.

Step 03

Make a Smarter Payoff Plan

Now you know which debts to attack first. Not for psychology, but for actual cash flow. Bring it to your advisor.

The Formula

Balance ÷ Monthly Payment = Your Cash Flow Index score

Low

Pay This Off First

Big cash freed per dollar paid. This is trapping your money.

Medium

Second Priority

Decent efficiency. Attack after the low-score debts are gone.

High

Keep This Last

Probably your mortgage. Low payment relative to balance. Let it ride.

Cash Flow Index doesn't replace interest rate analysis. It complements it. Sometimes the highest-rate debt isn't the biggest cash flow killer. Now you can see both.

Coming Soon

What If You Could See the Future?

ON THE ROADMAP

Cash Flow Sandbox

Before you buy that rental property, pay off that mortgage, or change your business structure, run the numbers. See exactly how it changes your cash flow. No guessing.

Expected: 2026

ON THE ROADMAP

Deal Radar

Score deals before you commit. Is that syndication worth it? Does this rental cash flow for real? Get a risk-adjusted analysis that shows you what your broker won't.

Expected: 2026

02Why This Matters

Cash Flow Is Everything. Everything Else Is a Distraction.

More Options

When you free up $2k/month, you have choices. Invest it. Save it. Spend it. But you can't do any of that if it's trapped in bad debt.

Compounding Speed

Get your money working 2 years earlier and watch it multiply. Debt payoff order isn't trivial. It's transformative.

The Full Picture

Your mortgage, car, business loan, and credit card all interact. See how they fit together, not just one at a time.

Math Over Feelings

Debt snowball feels good but isn't always optimal. Cash Flow Index scores give you the numbers. Do what works, not what's popular.

Watch Yourself Win

Track your Cash Flow Index score over time. Watch the bad debts disappear. See your cash flow climb. Numbers don't lie.

Decisions Before Commitments

Should you pay off the car or invest? Model it first. Know the answer before you sign anything.

Decision support

Sequence debt with real math

This keeps payoff decisions tied to real monthly impact instead of rules of thumb.

What the Cash Flow Index is
The Cash Flow Index is a payoff priority metric: balance divided by monthly payment. Lower scores free more cash per dollar paid off. It complements rate analysis.
Decision checklist
  • Do you have balances and monthly payments for every debt?
  • Is cash flow the real constraint right now?
  • Would freeing $500-$2,000 per month change your options?
  • Have you compared payoff order by cash flow and by rate?
  • Do you know which debt creates the most drag on decisions?
Questions for your advisor
  • If I pay this off first, how much monthly cash is freed?
  • Where does payoff sequencing beat investing or saving?
  • Which assumptions would change the best order?

Related resources

Translate cash flow into strategy

Use cash flow insights to guide your next tax and strategy moves.

Tool

Cash Flow Index Calculator

Rank debts by how much monthly cash they free.

Tool

Cash Flow Analyzer

Answer a few questions and uncover hidden cash flow.

Resource

Year-End Tax Projection

See which moves matter before key deadlines.

Feature

Play Builder

Discover strategies that fit your cash flow reality.

Feature

Tax Optimization

Pair payoff plans with tax-focused decisions.

Important Financial Information

X1 Financial Tools provide educational calculations to help you analyze your financial situation. They do not constitute financial advice. Financial strategies depend on many factors including interest rates, tax implications, and personal circumstances. Consult with a qualified financial advisor before making significant financial decisions.

X1 Wealth, Inc. is a financial technology company, not a registered investment advisor, CPA firm, or law firm. Our tools provide educational information and should not be construed as personalized financial, tax, or legal advice.

Get Started

How Much Cash Is Trapped in Your Debt?

Plug in your numbers. Find out which debts to attack first. Takes 2 minutes.

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