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Whether you owe money on a personal loan, an auto loan, or a different type of loan, the sooner you pay it off, the less you'll spend on interest. And those savings can really add up over time.
Plus, there's something to be said for shedding your debt and not having another monthly payment hanging over your head. Most lenders don't charge a prepayment penalty for paying off a loan early (though some might -- be sure to check with your lender). If you're looking for how to pay off a loan before the end of the loan term, even by the end of this year, here are some tips for speeding up your repayment plan.
One way to get some extra cash for an extra payment is to cut a few small costs from your budget. Of course, you could conceivably save hundreds of dollars each month if you were to pack up your apartment and downsize to a smaller space in a less expensive neighborhood. But in doing so, you'd probably make yourself miserable, so it may not be worth going to that extreme. Instead, take a look at smaller changes you can make.
If you want to find out how to pay off a loan faster, try to eke out some everyday savings and use them to pay off the outstanding loan balance. Here are just a few ways:
These are just a handful of examples, and each one on its own may not make a huge dent. But the point is that cutting back on small things could help you make more than the minimum payment -- and knock out your debt without having to uproot your life.
If you're eager to learn how to pay off a loan faster and get rid of the balance this year, boosting your income could be just the ticket. And if you're not getting a raise at work, you might need to take matters into your own hands and secure a side hustle. You have different options, and the side gig you choose should hinge on your skillset, the sort of work you like doing, and whether you prefer a job you can do remotely or not.
Some income opportunities to look at include:
Keep in mind that you can pick up more than one side gig. Just don't overextend yourself to the point where you risk falling behind at your main job.
Make sure you have enough money in an emergency fund to cover any unexpected expenses before you start trying to pay off your personal loan faster. While it's nice to get out of debt, you'll still need to pay the bills if a crisis occurs.
Get the best rates and terms to fit your needs. Here are a few loans we'd like to highlight, including our award winners.
Lender | APR Range | Loan Amount | Min. Credit Score | Next Steps |
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Apply Now for Discover Personal Loan
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Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
7.99% - 24.99%
|
$2,500 - $40,000
|
660
|
Apply Now for Discover Personal Loan
Powered by Credible |
![]()
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
7.80% - 35.99%
|
$1,000 - $50,000
|
None
|
|
![]()
Apply Now for Best Egg
Powered by Credible
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
8.99% - 35.99%
|
$2,000 - $50,000
|
550
|
Apply Now for Best Egg
Powered by Credible |
You may come into extra money during the year, whether it's in the form of a tax refund, a performance bonus at work, or a gift from a relative. If you take that extra cash and apply it to your outstanding loan as a lump sum payment, you'll get that much closer to paying off your personal loan.
When it comes to owing money, not all debt is created equal. Owing money on an installment loan like a personal loan, for example, isn't as bad as carrying revolving debt (like credit card debt). Not only is a personal loan likely to charge a lower interest rate, but a personal loan won't count toward your credit utilization ratio -- a number that can hurt your credit score if it gets too high. Similarly, a car loan is a reasonable thing to have, and if you keep up with your monthly auto loan payments, it can actually help build a positive credit history (which will boost your credit).
At the same time, it certainly helps to pay off whatever remaining balance you have on your loan as quickly as possible. That way, you'll save on interest and have less financial stress to deal with. For this reason, working toward debt repayment can be a great financial goal.
Looking for a personal loan but don’t know where to start? Our favorites offer quick approval and rock-bottom interest rates. Check out our list to find the best loan for you.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
*Upstart Loan Disclaimer
The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.