5 Smart Tips to Pay Off Personal Loans Faster

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1. Cut Small Expenses and Add Them to Payments

You know those $6 iced lattes that somehow appear in your hand every morning?

Yeah, those little “harmless” purchases add up faster than Miami humidity in August.

When you trim those small daily splurges, you’ll free up cash that could go straight toward your loan.

It’s like giving your debt a little knockout punch. One sip, snack, or impulse buy at a time.

So the next time you’re tempted by takeout, think: “Would I rather have sushi… or financial freedom?”

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Track every small expense this week using the Rocket Money app, then redirect that amount to your next loan payment instead.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


2. Use Extra Income to Pay Down the Balance

Got a side hustle, tax refund, or surprise Venmo from your friend who finally paid you back?

That’s not “fun money”. That’s freedom money.

Every extra dollar you throw at your loan brings your payoff date closer.

You don’t need to make huge lump sums either; small consistent boosts can snowball big time.

Think of it like gym progress. Slow, steady, and one rep (or payment) at a time.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Whenever you get extra cash, log into your loan portal and make a “principal-only” payment using your bonus, tax refund, or gig income.

3. Set Up Automatic Payments

You know how forgetting your gym membership feels fine until you check your statement? Same vibe with late loan payments. Except this one hits harder.

Automatic payments save you from “oops” moments, late fees, and drops in your credit score.

Plus, some lenders even give you a small discount for setting them up.

You’ll never miss a payment again, and your loan will quietly melt away in the background.

Let automation handle your discipline. So you can focus on the fun stuff.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Log into your lender’s website and enable AutoPay. Most banks offer it in one click and may lower your rate slightly.

Bonus Tip: Track Your Debt Progress Like a Pro

Have you ever noticed how paying off debt feels slower than Miami traffic at 5 p.m.?

That’s because you don’t see the progress.

But when you track every payment, every small win, it suddenly feels like the finish line’s not that far away.

Watching those balances drop. Like, visually seeing the numbers shrink. Gives you that “oh yeah, I got this” boost you didn’t know you needed.

It turns paying off debt from something stressful into something kinda… satisfying.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use Undebt.it, a free debt payoff planner that lets you plug in your loans, choose a payoff method (like snowball or avalanche), and literally watch your progress.

4. Make Biweekly Payments Instead of Monthly

Ever notice how the calendar plays tricks on your wallet?

By switching from monthly to biweekly payments, you’ll sneak in one extra full payment every year.

That simple change can shave months off your loan without you even realizing it.

It’s like getting a secret 13th payment. No magic, just math.

You’ll barely feel the difference, but your loan sure will.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Ask your lender if they allow biweekly payments, or schedule two automatic half-payments every month through your bank’s bill pay feature.

5. Use Windfalls or Bonuses to Pay Extra

Unexpected cash is great… unless you waste it on something that gathers dust.

Your future self will thank you for using it to crush debt instead.

A single bonus or tax refund can cut months. or even years. off your payoff timeline.

Plus, there’s no better feeling than hitting “confirm payment” and watching your balance drop like a rock.

It’s basically instant gratification, but the responsible kind. 🙂

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next time you get a work bonus or refund, make a one-time payment directly toward your loan’s principal. Just hit your bank’s “Pay Loan” option instead of shopping online.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


And that’s it!

Never forget it… 

🍔 A Bigger Bank Account Is Waiting For You!

😉 Dale!

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Claudio Garcia

Hi! I’m the founder of Money Vice and a passionate personal finance enthusiast. I started this site to help people across America save more with the least difficulty, get rid of debt, and to start putting their money to work (in the easiest way possible).