Too40gawlf
Banned
I have an auto loan through USAA. I took it out exactly a year ago and have been paying 30-50% more of the minimum payment every month to get the loan paid off quicker.
Now my question is this: When I go to make my payment every month, it gives me the option to make my regaular payment (principal + interest) or make a payment to the principal only. When I make a regular payment, it pushes back my 'amount of payments left' and my 'next payment due date' numbers. But when I make a principal only payment, my next due payment stays the same date and I still have x number of payments left.
Can someone explain this dynamic to me? What is the purpose of having the pricnipal only option? Is that a way to pay donw principal to reduce interest over the long term or am I missing something?
Now my question is this: When I go to make my payment every month, it gives me the option to make my regaular payment (principal + interest) or make a payment to the principal only. When I make a regular payment, it pushes back my 'amount of payments left' and my 'next payment due date' numbers. But when I make a principal only payment, my next due payment stays the same date and I still have x number of payments left.
Can someone explain this dynamic to me? What is the purpose of having the pricnipal only option? Is that a way to pay donw principal to reduce interest over the long term or am I missing something?