As a first-time homeowner, it was tough signing up for a large mortgage. While the monthly payment was within our budget, the amount of debt was startling. However, there is a simple way to reduce this debt by thousands of dollars. Learn how extra mortgage payments can drastically reduce your mortgage debt.
How Extra Mortgage Payments Can Help
I am not exaggerating when I say you can save thousands of dollars off your mortgage with extra payments. By paying more upfront on the principal, you will decrease your total interest. The sooner you can start, the better. Additionally, the more you can throw at it, the better!
Check out the mortgage example below from Dave Ramsey’s Mortgage Payoff Calculator to see just how much even $50 extra per month will save you!
Original Mortgage Details
- $180,000
- 30 year
- 10/15/2019 first payment
- $860 monthly payment
$50 Extra Payment
- Saves nearly 3 years in payments
- $14,000+ total interest savings
$100 Extra Payment
- Saves over 5 years in payments
- $25,000+ total interest savings
$200 Extra Payment
- Saves nearly 9 years in payments
- $42,000+ total interest savings
As you can see, there are significant savings at every level- even $50 per month. Remember, you can use bonuses, tax refunds or extra income to pay off the mortgage quicker.
Keep in mind your entire financial needs. If you’re working on debt management, don’t have room in the budget, or plan to move soon, this probably isn’t the financial strategy for you.
Benefits of a 30-Year Mortgage
There are two main types of mortgage lengths you can choose: 15 and 30-year. While a 15-year mortgage is designed to help you save money on interest and time, the monthly payments are higher.
When unexpected financial hits happen, it’s much easier to stop extra payments rather than struggle with a large balance every month. Missing mortgage payments leads to foreclosure and other serious legal matters.
In conclusion, a 30-year mortgage with extra payments can help you save lots of money than following the standard repayment plan. Additionally, a longer term mortgage provides a smaller monthly payment. Therefore, your budget can better accommodate a financial crisis. Make sure to balance all your financial priorities, like eliminating credit card debt, when considering extra payments.
If you struggle to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Sign up for a free credit counseling session with us today.