Some people say you should pay off your car loan early. Others say you shouldn’t do it. And people are almost always very passionate about being right. At the end of the day, it’s your own choice, and this decision comes down to a lot more than just dollars and cents.
The Benefits of Paying Off Your Car Loan Early
If you can afford to pay more than the minimum payment, it’s a good idea to pay off your car loan sooner than later. Some benefits of this approach include the following.
Save Money
The obvious benefit of paying off your car loan early is that it will save you money. You’ll pay less interest over time, which means more money in your pocket.
You Own Your Car Sooner
Owning your car outright means no more monthly payments or being tied down to someone else’s terms and conditions. It also means no late fees for missing a payment or penalties for paying early.
Improve Debt-To-Income Ratio
If high monthly payments make it difficult for you to qualify for other types of loans (like credit cards), you can pay off your car loan early. This can help increase your ability to borrow money in the future.
Drawbacks of Paying Off Car Loan Early
While paying off your car loan early can be a good idea in some situations, it’s not always the right move. Here are some of the drawbacks of this move.
Prepayment Penalty
Some lenders charge a prepayment penalty if you pay back the entire loan balance before it’s due. The exact amount and timing of prepayment penalties vary by lender and loan type.
Your Credit Score May Drop
If a lender sees that you’ve paid off debt quickly, they may think you have poor credit management skills and can’t manage money well (even if it’s not true).
How To Pay Your Car Loan off Early
If you want to pay off your car loan Calgary early, there are a few ways to make it happen faster.
Pay off the Full Amount
If you have the money, just make an extra payment on the loan, and you’ll be done sooner than expected.
Pay a Partial Payment
If you have an extra $100 or so each month, consider paying that amount toward your car loan. A few hundred dollars can make a big difference over time, especially if you can pay off the loan early.
Boost Monthly Payments
You can speed up the repayment process if you pay more than the minimum amount each month.
When To Consider Paying off a Car Loan
Here are some situations where it’s worth considering paying off your car loan early.
If You Can Afford It
One of the main reasons to pay off your car loan early is that it frees up cash flow for other uses. If you can afford to make extra car loan payments, this could be an excellent use of extra cash.
You Have No Outstanding Debt
Quickly paying off your car loan makes sense if you’re starting and have no other debt. It will help build your credit history and give you more financial flexibility in the future.
Not everyone can afford to pay off a car loan early. If you have a loan from car dealerships low credit, you can refinance it and pay lower interest rates and monthly payments. However, this option could extend the loan term. So choose a financial option that works for you.