The 7 P’s of Early Loan Repayment

by Shaunna Privratsky

Landing a low interest rate isn’t the only way to save on a loan. It may seem an impossible dream, but paying off your loan early can save you hundreds, even thousands. Just take these seven steps to significant savings on interest.

You have negotiated the best possible terms for your new loan, whether it is an auto loan, personal loan or a mortgage. Congratulations! Now, how would you like to pay it off in half the designated time? Early loan repayment is doable if you follow the “7 Ps”.

1. Avoid prepayment penalties.

The first step is to make sure you won’t be hit with a prepayment penalty. Read all of the fine print, and even check with your lender to verify.

2. Pump up the payments.

The key is to add extra money each month to your regular payments. Figure out how much extra you can afford and commit to paying the accelerated payment. This may mean cutting spending in another area or increasing your income. Keeping your goal in mind will make it easier.

3. Put money towards the principal.

You want to make sure your extra money is going towards the principal, not towards interest or extra payments. As the principal goes down, so will the interest.

4. Make early loan repayment painless.

Set up automatic payments through your bank. Most will let you decide the date it is withdrawn so you can make sure to have enough in the account. You will also avoid late payments and fees.

5. Persevere.

It may seem like the balance is dropping too slowly, but the decrease will speed up the closer you get to your goal. Make sure you have a separate emergency fund so that you can continue to add extra to your loan, even when life throws you a curveball.

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6. Practice patience.

Break your large goal of paying off your loan early into smaller, doable goals. As you meet each milestone, reward yourself. Motivate yourself with an ongoing chart that shows the decreasing balance.

7. Prepare for your credit score to skyrocket.

Whenever you pay off a loan early, your credit score will take an upward leap. Ours jumped 60 points when I paid off $4,000 in credit card debt and also jumped when I paid off our van loan two years early.

Other Prepayment Options

We are two years into an aggressive prepayment plan on our 40-year mortgage. In both years, I met the yearly goal, and things are on track to continue our quest to pay off the loan in 20 years or less.

How is this plan different from a bi-weekly plan? Often, you have to pay the lender to set up the payments, and you are just making extra payments, including interest, to the loan. Even though the balance will be paid off early, you will still be paying interest.

Another option is to make one large extra payment a year, perhaps with your tax refund or a bonus check. As long as it is going toward the principal, it will work the same as extra monthly payments.

The Advantages of Early Loan Repayment

So, what are the advantages of an early loan repayment? The best is the amount of interest you will save. I estimate we will save over $125,000 in interest when we pay off our mortgage. Plus, you will have all those extra months and years of no payments, freeing up your income for other things.

It may seem an impossible dream, but if you really want to pay off your loan early, you can. You may have to forgo that expensive new car with the high payments or skip going out to eat every other month, but you can find the extra money. With a firm goal and a little determination, you can pay off your loan early.

About the Author

Shaunna Privratsky became an expert in personal finance out of necessity. Between writing, reading and gardening, she is always on the lookout for bargains. Visit her at The Discount Diva.