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By paying down the principle you decrease the amount of interest you pay on the loan. This will save you considerable on interest charges over the life of the note. If you simply pay an additional amount on the loan each month, over and above the required payment amount, you will also pay the loan off in a shorter period of time.

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Q: Can you really keep paying principle payments towards your car loan and reduce interest?
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When does a mortgage go from interest to principle?

That depends on the length, amount, and interest rate of the loan. You would need to use an amortization calculator to figure out the exact point when you are paying more on the principle than the interest. You will be paying at least a little bit of interest up until the very last payment.


What are the terms of an interest only mortgage Is it equivalent to a 30-year fixed with additional principal payments?

With an interest only mortgage, the borrower pays only the interest due on the money that is borrowed. There is no money allotted in the payment amount that is reducing the principle. Interest only mortgages therefore have much lower payments but can result in negative amortization. 30-year fixed rate mortgages have money (albeit a very small amount to begin with) figured into the payment which is paying off the principle from the very first payment. Making additional payments toward the principle not only reduces the total amount of the loan, but also the amount of the total interest that will be paid to the lender. The amount of the payment may be much higher, but the result is equity (ownership). An interest only loan never leads to equity other than appreciation.


What does extra mortgage payments do?

Do you mean paying MORE than your minimum payment? Paying more than your minimum payment is a good idea on your mortgage, if you can afford it. It will decrease the amount of time you have your mortgage and lower the overall amount of money you end up paying towards interest. Paying extra on your loan creates more savings the earlier you do it. Example: On a 300,000 loan at 5% for 30 years, paying $200 extra per month reduces the number of monthly payments by 78, or 6.50 years, and reduces the interest and total paid by $69,210.39. That is a huge cost savings to you.


Can you call your credit card company and have them freeze the account to stop incurring interest and have your payments go towards the principal?

No. It doesn't work that way, however, you can ask for a lower interest rate. Also, find a card offer with 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases for 1 year, apply and transfer the balance. You will at least have a head start on paying the principle. When it gets close to the end of your year, repeat the process with another credit card offer. It is possible to have 0 interest on your money, you just have to keep track of things and make your payments. Also, if you qualify, you may be able to apply for hardship. Ask your credit card company for details.


How much faster will you pay off your mortgage if you make biweekly payments?

Paying off your loan BI_WEEKLY shortens the interest on your loan. It's important because the first (many) years ---- you're paying on interest, not principal. By paying "bi-weekly", you're paying more on principal than interest. Which means that you're paying less on interest and more on principal, which will shorten the length of your loan obligations. Good luck --- JIM

Related questions

What will happen if a person just pay the minimum balance?

If you only pay the minimum payments you don't make a huge impact on the principle balance, if at all. This means that you will continue to owe money since most of the payments are going towards interest and not paying down your balance.


Is it better to pay off the interest or the prinicipal on a loan first?

Make your payments on time and pay as much extra on the principle. That will drop your interest as well. On most payment plans, you are paying the interest first and nothing on the principle. Put as much as you can into it and get it paid off quicker and cheaper.


Will I save money by paying off my car loan early?

When it comes to car loans you want to always make extra payments, whether it be an extra 20 bucks here and there. This will go to principle rather then interest. That way you are not paying only interest on your loan, and you are not gathering interest.


What is capital repayment plan?

Capital repayment refers to paying down the principle amount of the loan to reduce the interest amount paid and reduce the overall payments. This system is used in business or personal situations.


When does a mortgage go from interest to principle?

That depends on the length, amount, and interest rate of the loan. You would need to use an amortization calculator to figure out the exact point when you are paying more on the principle than the interest. You will be paying at least a little bit of interest up until the very last payment.


How do you spell principle and interest?

The correct spelling is principal and interest. The principal is normally the amount borrowed, which is reduced by paying any amount exceeding the interest.


What are the terms of an interest only mortgage Is it equivalent to a 30-year fixed with additional principal payments?

With an interest only mortgage, the borrower pays only the interest due on the money that is borrowed. There is no money allotted in the payment amount that is reducing the principle. Interest only mortgages therefore have much lower payments but can result in negative amortization. 30-year fixed rate mortgages have money (albeit a very small amount to begin with) figured into the payment which is paying off the principle from the very first payment. Making additional payments toward the principle not only reduces the total amount of the loan, but also the amount of the total interest that will be paid to the lender. The amount of the payment may be much higher, but the result is equity (ownership). An interest only loan never leads to equity other than appreciation.


What does extra mortgage payments do?

Do you mean paying MORE than your minimum payment? Paying more than your minimum payment is a good idea on your mortgage, if you can afford it. It will decrease the amount of time you have your mortgage and lower the overall amount of money you end up paying towards interest. Paying extra on your loan creates more savings the earlier you do it. Example: On a 300,000 loan at 5% for 30 years, paying $200 extra per month reduces the number of monthly payments by 78, or 6.50 years, and reduces the interest and total paid by $69,210.39. That is a huge cost savings to you.


Is amortization of a loan done by all loan places?

Loan amortization is the paying off of a debt over time, through payments. The payments include interest as well as paying of the debt. All loan companies do offer this.


If you send two payments every month do you pay interest on both payments?

I doubt it. You would be paying down your balance and shortening the actual lenght of time you are making payments. The second payment is probably being applied to your principal and this benefits you by paying down what you owe.


Can you call your credit card company and have them freeze the account to stop incurring interest and have your payments go towards the principal?

No. It doesn't work that way, however, you can ask for a lower interest rate. Also, find a card offer with 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases for 1 year, apply and transfer the balance. You will at least have a head start on paying the principle. When it gets close to the end of your year, repeat the process with another credit card offer. It is possible to have 0 interest on your money, you just have to keep track of things and make your payments. Also, if you qualify, you may be able to apply for hardship. Ask your credit card company for details.


How much faster will you pay off your mortgage if you make biweekly payments?

Paying off your loan BI_WEEKLY shortens the interest on your loan. It's important because the first (many) years ---- you're paying on interest, not principal. By paying "bi-weekly", you're paying more on principal than interest. Which means that you're paying less on interest and more on principal, which will shorten the length of your loan obligations. Good luck --- JIM