DOLP Debt Tactic
- David Bach’s DOLP debt tactic is an older payoff system, not a new policy or product: borrowers rank cards by a “DOLP number” and throw extra cash at the card that can die fastest. - DOLP stands for “Dead On Last Payment,” and Bach’s worksheet tells users to divide each balance by its minimum payment, rank the lowest result first, automate minimums elsewhere, and avoid closing paid-off cards. - The tactic is resurfacing as U.S. credit-card balances hit $1.28 trillion and average card APRs sit near 19.57%, keeping pressure on revolving borrowers. (newyorkfed.org) (bankrate.com)
David Bach’s DOLP debt tactic is not new. It is a years-old credit-card payoff system that is resurfacing as balances and borrowing costs stay high. (davidbach.com) (ibtimes.co.uk) DOLP stands for “Dead On Last Payment.” Bach’s rule is to list every card, divide each outstanding balance by its minimum monthly payment, and rank the lowest result first. (davidbach.com) (static.oprah.com) That ranking is supposed to show which balance can disappear fastest if you keep making minimum payments. Bach then says to make the minimum on every card except the No. 1 DOLP card and put as much extra cash as possible there, ideally at least double the minimum. (davidbach.com) When one card is paid off, the payment rolls to the next card on the list. Bach’s worksheet also tells users to keep reminders for due dates so they do not miss payments. (davidbach.com) The method resembles the debt snowball more than the debt avalanche. It prioritizes quick eliminations and visible progress instead of starting with the highest annual percentage rate. (barbarafriedbergpersonalfinance.com) (davidbach.com) Bach’s version adds one twist: the ranking is not just the smallest balance. A card with a modest balance and a relatively large minimum payment can move to the front because its DOLP number is lower. (davidbach.com) (static.oprah.com) He also says not to close a card after paying it off. In Bach’s materials, leaving the account open preserves unused available credit, which can help credit utilization. (static.oprah.com) The backdrop is a consumer-credit market that is still expensive. Bankrate’s national average credit-card APR was 19.57% on April 22, 2026, after peaking at 20.79% in August 2024. (bankrate.com) Household credit-card balances also remain elevated. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said balances rose by $44 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 to $1.28 trillion. (newyorkfed.org) So the real story is less a new debt hack than an old behavior-first system getting fresh attention. Bach’s pitch is simple: kill one balance, keep the minimums current, and repeat until every card is dead on last payment. (davidbach.com) (ibtimes.co.uk)
