Halastana Web

It’s so frustrating when you go on holiday and you end up using most of your money on phone cards to ring home and catch up with friends and family. Not least because more often than not you are forced to use a dilapidated dirty phone box that’s falling to pieces. Also, there’s nothing more annoying then being stuck in the middle of nowhere, without any money left on your phone card, or even a shop nearby to buy a new one. I kind of new that it was actually possible to make phone calls over the internet, often seeing other people enthusiastically chatting away wearing headsets at cyber cafes. Not being very technical or aware of the latest technological developments, I was completely unaware until recently that you can use the same ‘VoIP’ technology to make cheap international calls from your mobile.

There are several ways of doing this; its possible to get either a special sim card for your phone from companies such as ‘oneroam’ or ‘gosim’, OR even better than that download a piece of software for your mobile phone which gives you the ability to make cheap VoIP phone calls without the hassle of long access codes or having to change your sim. The best bit is there are no roaming charges either – if only such technology was around when I went travelling, I would have had so much more money for fun!

Are you a resident of Chattanooga searching for a mortgage? Finding the perfect home loan used to be a daunting task. There are so many options like fixed rates, adjustable rates, interest only, balloon payments and many more. With the power of the internet searching for a loan is a simple task. There are many ways to apply for a loan such as contacting a local mortgage broker, meeting with your bank or applying online.

Contacting a local Chattanooga mortgage broker can be time consuming. You have to first locate possible brokers and contact them one by one. Sometimes it can be a pain to get a hold of them and then follow up with a quote. Meeting with your bank is a better option because you can sit down for a meeting and they will tailor a mortgage specific to your needs. When dealing with a bank, are you sure you’re getting the best deal? Do you really want to go from bank to bank meeting with the lenders and selecting the best mortgage deal?

Unless you have nothing better to do, I’m guessing that answer is no. That’s where the internet comes into play. You can simply visit a website or 2 and fill out an application in about one minute. Then all you have to do is wait for lenders to contact you and they will compete for your business. That’s right, turn the tables on them and make them compete for you mortgage loan. Lenders want your business and they will go to great lengths to get it. If you submit an application online, you may get a call from say 4 mortgage lenders the next day. Armed with that information you can quickly and easily compare which lender is offering the best deal and move forward with them. Or what if you really like you local mortgage Chattanooga broker and want to stay local? You can simply make an online application to confirm that your local broker is not taking you for a ride. What if your local broker quoted you 7.7% APR and you thought that was a great deal, until you applied online a realized lender B was offering 5.7% for the same terms. That 2% difference can save you thousands of dollars in future interest payments. That’s quite a bit of savings for taking 5 minutes to apply online to verify your getting the best deal.

Not sure where to apply online? Start with The Loan House. They offer a quick and easy application and you will be contacted by the nations top mortgage lenders with competitive quotes.

Two million Muslims in the UK face an ethical dilemma if they want a mortgage or a loan. Conventional mortgages and loans all require the payment of interest and “riba” as interest is called under Islamic law, is forbidden by the Koran.

British financial institutions are increasingly catering for Muslims’ specialist needs through a number of alternative arrangements that respects the teachings of the Koran. Here are just two of them:

Ijara with diminishing Musharaka – the mortgage alternative.

Ijara with diminishing Musharaka is an Islamic alternative to a conventional UK mortgage and has been adopted by several British banks and building societies.

In essence, Musharaka means partnership. Under this Islamic financial concept, the bank buys the house and legally becomes its owner. Then throughout the pre-agreed period, say 25 years, a monthly payment is made. Each monthly payment includes a charge for rent and a charge that buys a small proportion of the house itself. It’s form of variable shared equity plan with the proportion of the house being owned by the purchaser, steadily increasing as payments are made. Once the final payment has been made, the house is owned outright. Ijara

Here you tell the bank or financial institution what you want, for example a car, and they buy it. In return for a monthly payment that covers the cost of the bank’s capital, the bank then allows you to use the asset for an agreed period. In reality, it’s a form of leasing

Islamic finance is not widely available in the UK – so where can find it? Here are three suggestions:

Over the last few years Lloyds TSB has introduced Islamic products to 33 of its branches. Their spokesperson says, “It’s important for our customers to see that we are following the right procedures. We have a panel of four Islamic scholars who over-see the products. They offer guidance on Islamic law and audit the products”.

Another high street bank, HSBC, is developing a special range of Islamic products under the Amanah brand name. This range includes home finance plans, home insurance, commercial finance, and various current accounts and pensions. Hussam Sultan, the Amanah product manager says, “As a bank, we are not here to moralise or tell our customers that Amanah finance is the way to please Allah. We’re just here to provide them with a choice”.

The Islamic Bank of Britain has three branches in London, two in Birmingham and one each in Leicester and Manchester. They’re the only British bank specifically providing for Muslim customers and claim to be halal throughout their operations. All their financial products are approved by their Sharia’a Supervisory Committee – all Muslim scholars who are experts in all aspects of Islamic finance.

For your interest we show below, definitions of some words used widely in connection with Islamic finance.

A Glossary of selected Islamic words used in finance.

Amanah : Means trustworthiness, with associated aspects of faithfulness and honesty. As a central supplementary meaning, amanah also describes a business deal where one party keeps another’s funds or property in trust. This actually the most widely used and understood application of the term, having a long history of use in Islamic commercial law. It can also be used to describe different financial activities such as deposit taking, custody or goods on consignment.

Arbun : Means a down payment. It’s a non-refundable deposit paid to the seller by the buyer upon agreeing a sale contract together with an undertaking that the sale contract will be completed during a prearranged period.

Gharar : This means uncertainty. It’s one of three essential prohibitions in Islamic finance (the others being riba and maysir). Gharar is a sophisticated concept that encompasses certain types of uncertainty or contingency in a contract. The prohibition on gharar is often used as the grounds for criticism of conventional financial practices such as speculation, derivatives and short selling contracts.

Islamic financial services / Islamic banking / Islamic finance : Means financial services that meet the specific requirements of Islamic law or Shariah. Whilst designed to meet specific Muslim religious requirements, Islamic banking is not restricted to Muslims. Both the customers and the service providers can be non-Muslim as well as Muslim.

Ijara : Means an Islamic leasing agreement. Ijarah permits the financial institution to earn a profit by charging leasing rentals instead of lending money and earning interest. The ijarah concept is extended to hire and purchase agreements by Ijarah wa iqtinah.

Maysir : Means gambling. It’s another of three fundamental prohibitions in Islamic finance (the other two being riba and gharar). The prohibition of maysir is often used as the basis for criticism of standard financial practices such as conventional insurance, speculation and derivative contracts.

Mudarabah : A Mudarabah is a form of Investment partnership. Here, capital is provided by the investor (the Rab ul Mal) to another party (the Mudarib) in order to undertake a business or investment activity. Profits are then shared according to pre-arranged proportions but any loss on the investment is born exclusively by the investor and the mudarib then loses the expected income share.

Mudarib : The mudarib is the investment manager or entrepreneur in a mudarabah (see above). It is this managers responsibility to invest the investor’s money in a project or portfolio in exchange for a share of the profits. A mudarabah is essentially similar to a diversified pool of assets held in a conventional Discretionary Managed Investment Portfolio.

Murabaha : means purchase and resale. As opposed to lending money, the capital provider purchases the required asset or product (for which a loan would otherwise have been taken out) from a third party. The asset is then resold at a higher price to the capital user. By paying this higher price by instalments, the capital user effectively gets credit without paying interest. (Also see tawarruq the opposite of murabaha.)

Musharaka : This means profit and loss sharing. It’s a partnership where the profits are shared in pre-arranged proportions and any losses are shared in proportion to each partners’ capital or investment. In Musharakah, all the partners to the commercial undertaking contribute funds and have the right, but without the obligation, to exercise executive powers in that undertaking. It’s a similar concept to a conventional partnership and the holding of voting stock in a limited company. Musharakah is regarded as the purest form of Islamic financing.

Riba : This means interest. The legal concept extends beyond interest, but in simple terms, riba covers any return of money on money. It does not matter whether the interest is floating or floating, simple or compounded, or what the rate is. Riba is strictly prohibited under Islamic law..

Shariah : This is the Islamic law as disclosed in the Quran and through the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A Shariah product must meet all the requirements of Islamic law. To facilitate this, a Shariah board is usually appointed. This board or committee is usually comprised of Islamic scholars available to the organisation for guidance and supervision for the development of Shariah compliant products.

Shariah adviser : Means an independent professional, usually a classically trained Islamic legal scholar, appointed to advise an Islamic financial organisation on the compliance of its products and services with Islamic law, the Shariah. While some organisations consult individual Shariah advisers, most establish a committee of Shariah advisers (often known as a Shariah committee or Shariah board).

Shariah compliant : Means the activity that ensures that the requirements of the Shariah, or Islamic law are observed. The term is often used in the Islamic banking industry as a synonym for “Islamic”- for example, Shariah compliant financing or Shariah compliant investment.

Sukuk : This has similar characteristics to a conventional bond. The difference is that that they are asset backed and a sukuk represents the proportionate beneficial ownership in the underlying asset. The asset is then leased to the client to yield the profit on the sukuk.

Takaful : This is Islamic insurance. Takaful plans are designed to avoid the characteristics of conventional insurance (i.e. interest and gambling) that are so problematical for Muslims. They structure the arrangement as a charitable collective pool of funds based on the comcept of mutual assistance.

Tawarruq : When used in personal finance, a customer with a cash requirement buys something on credit on a deferred payment basis. That customer then immediately resells the item for cash to a third party. The customer thereby obtains cash without taking an interest-based loan. Tawarruq is the opposite to murabahah.

Brokers Online give you access to Cheap Life Insurance , Secured Loans and Mortgage Rates all online

When it comes to mortgage applications, the only important thing is to make sure that you look good on paper. Never mind your real situation or your physical appearance – you need the money that the mortgage company shall extend to you and the only way you’ll be able to obtain the money is to take the necessary steps that you look absolutely good on paper – on financial papers, to be exact.

Unfortunately, looking good on paper is easier said than done. I’m not asking you to fool anybody – that would be illegal, pointless and foolish. No one can really escape the eyes of the IRS so please don’t try that. There’s a way to look good on paper while still being able to utilize legal and ethical methods. I kid you not so read on to find out more about doing a virtual makeover of your finances on paper.

What’s Your Credit Score?

That’s always the first question that would concern any mortgage company when reading through an individual’s mortgage application and whatever concerns them should concern you. So, how do we know if you’ve got a good credit score or not? Easy. You go directly to the source. Credit scores are obtained from credit reports.

Credit reports are provided by credit bureaus. The information found in credit reports are collected by credit bureaus from different sources – landlords, merchants, government agencies, banks, other mortgage companies and financial institutions. Improving your image via your credit report is one of the most important things you have to achieve and which is directly related to your goal.

If you want to improve the chances of having your mortgage application approved, you definitely must ascertain that your credit score – if it’s low – is going to be high the next time that report reaches the hands of your mortgage provider.

How Do You Improve Your Low Credit Scores?

Now, I’m assuming that before we proceed with the possible ways to improve your low credit scores, you have already thoroughly checked your credit report for any possible error or inconsistency and have found nothing to dispute.
The first thing you should do to improve your low credit score and look good on paper is paying off majority of your credit card bills.

Mortgage companies mind very much when they see that you’ve gone over your credit card limits so before letting them see how it is, rectify the situation right away.

Secondly, pay off whatever else you can afford to pay off. Mortgage companies care if you’re already and greatly indebted.

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Looking for a wonderful deal on a shiny new flat screen TV? The John Lewis web site can be a great place to browse for for a wide array of technology and accessories. John Lewis keep available a vast range of great products, such as; plasma televisions, Sony televisions, iPods, Samsung digital cameras, laptops, etc. It goes without saying that each and every one of the plasma screen televisions the John Lewis website keep available are from leading brands like; Samsung, Panasonic and Sony.

So you are looking for a great new Sony TV and do not know which place to start. Unsurprising with the bewildering mishmash of TVs on offer in the market; LCD, plasma, flat screen, HD, Freeview etc. An exceptionally handy resource for sifting your way through all of the industry terminology is the John Lewis buying guide – this neutral page should guide you through the terminology and help you best choose the television that is most suited for you and your family. It’s fundamental not to ignore the addons too! Eventually determining the most appropriate TV stand and cabinet, that will naturally complement your living room and quite obviously hold up your great new Panasonic television is an often overlooked part of the decision making process.

Your follow up query might be at which web site to look online for your brand spanking new television? There are a hell of a large number of websites on the world wide web offering the best deals, but how do you decide which site you can really trust? With John Lewis you and your family may make a purchase in full confidence, and here’s the reason; Absolutely free national delivery on every last one of your orders – no need to worry about that ’special price’ you think you’ve found suddenly not looking very good once you factor in the additional cost of shipping. In addition, if you require any product in a big rush, next day delivery service is certainly available for nearly all items. One more super thing is, if you are not happy with your brand new Panasonic TV then returns are free! But saving the very best till last – they offers you a free five year warranty for each and every one of their TVs, which is something you would pay a big premium for at most other retailers. Samsung TVs are an investment that can last a long time – make sure you choose the right one.

With a TV in your sights you might well now be all set to look through the excellent array of flat screen LCD televisions on offer on the John Lewis web site. Their web site is uncommonly painless to navigate and making your way to the right category and product will require very little effort at all. So why not give John Lewis a try for your new LCD TV… Happy shopping!

Mortgage Brokers Should be Working for You

Most people do not know that the interest rate you are quoted by your loan broker is probably not the lowest rate for which you qualify. As a result, you may pay up to $30,000 or more on your home loan than you should. This doesn’t have to happen to you, and it won’t if you educate yourself about how mortgage brokers and lenders do business.

Mortgage brokers should be working for you, helping you to find and obtain the best possible loan rate for you and your situation. Unfortunately, many brokers are out there to make as much money for themselves and the lenders as is possible–all at your expense. Borrowers often do not know that there are incentives provided by lenders and paid to loan brokers for quoting higher rates, prepayment penalties, and fees. Often the interest rate you are quoted by your broker may not be the lowest rate for which you qualify.

It Doesn’t Matter What Your Credit Score Looks Like

Regardless of your credit score, you can get the best rate on your loan if you know how to negotiate. You just need to know what the brokers and lenders know about their business, the terms they use, and some of the legal guidelines they have to follow. Read on for a few examples of terms mortgage professionals use and how a borrower may use this information, regardless of their credit score, to get the best loan possible at the rates they deserve.

Know the Terms Brokers and Lenders Use to Get the Best Rate Possible

The lender’s best rate is the absolute lowest rate that can be obtained on that day to borrowers, usually borrowers applying with a high credit score. That rate is the rate that is most favorable to the borrower. This is the rate that lenders quote to brokers. It does not mean, however, that this is the rate that brokers will quote to borrowers. Brokers often state a slightly higher rate to borrowers. The rate they quote is usually enough to get the brokers a bonus from the lenders but not so high that borrowers will question the rate or see it as too high if they have been checking rates online.

There are incentives from lenders to brokers to quote you a higher rate. Brokers get bonuses from lenders based on the difference between these rates, the lowest rate and the higher rate quoted by the broker, called the “Yield Spread Premium.” You can learn how to negotiate away unnecessary high rates and fees if you know the terms mortgage professionals use.

Why Bad Loans Happen to People with Good Credit Scores
People with lower credit scores can get better loan rates than some people with higher credit scores. This happens because many people with high credit scores have little knowledge about how the mortgage business works. If you don’t educate yourself about mortgages and the legal terms mortgage professionals use, you may have to pay up to $30,000 or more over the life of your mortgage. The more information you learn about how to negotiate with the mortgage industry, the better rate you will be able to get, the fewer unnecessary fees you will pay and, the more money you will be able to save…regardless of your credit score.

This is an excerpt of the e-book “What the Lenders Won’t Tell You: How To Negotiate Your Home Loan.” Want more info? Go to http://www.thebestever.net/homeloans.

Even with bad credit you can consolidate your debts with a mortgage loan. Refinancing your mortgage to cash out your equity will help you get out of debt quicker. By paying less on interest charges, you can focus on paying off your principal.

Shopping Smart With Bad Credit

Bad credit doesn’t mean you have to pay extremely high rates or fees. By shopping smart, you can save thousands on your refinanced loan. Money better spent on paying off your debts.

The best way to find low rates is to ask for quotes first – lots of quotes. Fortunately, the internet makes research a snap. Most lenders and brokers post rates on their homepage. While these rates are easy to compare, it is better to ask for specific quotes for those with poor credit.

You can also choose from a variety of mortgage loans. Refinancing your mortgage can lower your overall rates and cash out your equity. A home equity loan or second mortgage just borrows part or all of your equity. A line of credit allows you to draw out your equity at any time.

Look at both subprime and traditional lenders. Both offer financing to those with adverse credit. However, you most often will find better deals with smaller companies. They offer low rates to compete with the national companies.

Working With Legitimate Lenders

When you work with a legitimate lender, you will find good deals and full disclosure. All of your questions will be answered in a timely fashion. You will also know actually how much your loan will cost.

You can also find companies that will work with you to improve your rates in the future. Some lenders will automatically refinance your mortgage in two years, after you have improved your credit score.

Avoid any company that requests your personal information without first giving you a quote. Don’t sign any forms that you don’t understand. And never sign over the deed to your home.

Planning For The Future

Start planning for the future once you have consolidated your bills. Work toward paying down the principal and making regular payments. Once you have improved your credit to good standing, you can refinance for even lower rates.

To view our list of recommended debt consolidation companies online, visit this
page: Recommended
Debt Consolidation Companies Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan
Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

For the average person who does not work in the mortgage industry, the mortgage jungle is very overwhelming. Mortgages are complicated! This article is a small collections of tips and advice of what an average person should know when looking for a mortgage. We kept it simply, but informative.

Reverse Mortgage Funding

As we grow older, living expenses seem to increase drastically, it is for this reason a great number of elders choose to seek a reverse mortgage to provide help with these expenses. This option typically works well for those who have fully paid for their home, and have no mortgage upon it. Simply speaking, when you take advantage of a reverse mortgage you will receive a monthly stipend from the equity that your home carries. This is especially useful to the elderly, sometimes securing a reverse mortgage aides them with living expenses, that alone could help in allowing them to remain within their own home. It is wise to request to a mortgage broker that the cost of closing should be paid out of the money received from the reverse mortgage loan. Essentially meaning, no expenses directly out of pocket.

Mortgage Options – Interest Only

Interest only mortgages are specifically designed to substantially decrease your payment amount over the first years of the mortgage term. The way this program works is that for these first few years you are only making payments towards the interest of the mortgage. This keeps the mortgage payments lower than other mortgage options because you are not required to pay on the principal of the loan. Eventually the time will come that you will be required to pay both the interest and the principal. It is wise to fully investigate this mortgage option prior to choosing it. Very carefully make some calculations and determine rather or not you will be able to afford the payments once both interest and principal are required.

The Right Mortgage Broker for you.

With the vast presence of the internet, obtaining the proper mortgage broker has never been easier. Additionally the internet allows you to locate mortgage brokers from all over your area. You are not limited to using a local broker or company in any way. The mortgage brokers you can find on the internet are in great competition with each other. What does this mean for you? It is simple because they are so competitive, you will win with excellent program and competitive rates. To choose the proper mortgage broker for you, you first must be comfortable in choosing them. Choose a mortgage broker that gives you confidence in their guidance. Take your time in finding the perfect mortgage broker for you; make sure their goals and your goals match, thoroughly research all your options before making a choice.

Obtaining a Mortgage Loan the Fast way.

Obtaining a mortgage loan through the internet is easier than ever before. The benefit of an online mortgage broker is that generally, they have a wider spectrum of lenders and various programs that a typical mortgage broker might have. More often than not, they have the ability to process request more quickly, as well. Online mortgage brokers can even aid you if there is urgency because of a fast approaching closing date or you are in need of speedy refinancing. All of this is thanks to the technology of automated credit checks, verification of income and online loan applications. You can find mortgage brokers through various measures such as using a popular search engine like Google, simply type in mortgage broker and you will be amazed with the results. A better option is to search for reviews about the mortgage broker or seek the advice and referrals from your friends and family. The best mortgage broker will possess the seal of the Better Business Bureau.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage and What you should know about it.

If you opt for an adjustable rate mortgage ensure that you are fully aware of these facts , this will help you be ready when the time comes for your fixed rate mortgage ceases.

1) You should know when the first rate adjustment will occur and how much the adjustment will be. Knowing the specific date will prepare you for the event.

2) You should know that the adjustable mortgage rate fluctuates with the changes of interest rates. Find out what index your rate is associated with, so you can investigate the interest rates on your own.

3) Know all of your options when it comes to refinancing. If a adjustable rate mortgage proves to be unbeneficial for you, you have the option of refinancing with a fixed rate mortgage. To get a good interest rate on a fixed mortgage you should watch the rates closely and if you choose to refinance, do so when the rates are comfortable to you.

Obtaining Flexible Interest Only Mortgages

For those that practice self-discipline, a flexible interest only may be practical. This option provides a payment arrangement that is flexible in regards to the payments that you make. This does not mean they are flexible on the timely manner in which you pay them, this simply means when your payment date arrives you are required to make a minimum payment of at least an amount towards the interest on the loan. However, with this flexible option you can opt to pay an additional amount towards the principle of your mortgage. Generally, your flexible interest only coupon book will include an area that determines the amount needed to be applied towards the principle if you should choose to do so. This is where that self-discipline comes in handy, it is wise to apply as much as possible towards the principle, bringing the amount down and coming that much closer to paying off your mortgage.

Cyrus Zahabian is one of the editors of Lendgo.com. Lendgo is a website dedicated to consumer personal finance, mortgages, and credit cards. Find the a low rate mortgage refinance loan and save thousands. Read our credit card reviews and apply for the one right for you. Get a free credit report instantly online. Fix your credit with affordable and effective legal credit repair.

Online amortization schedule calculators are some of the best online available. They are web-based, so they do not need additional software or applications. Amortization schedules can be calculated immediately online on one of their web pages.

Ewmortgage.com is a mortgage advisor website that features a Java-based interactive amortization table (http://www.ewmortgage.com/mortgage/), and other mortgage-related applications such as APR/front end calculator, 5/25 and 7/23 balloon convertible mortgage calculator, car leasing payment calculator, monthly payment table generator, income qualification calculator, nominal and effective interest rate calculator, etc.

Realdata.com, real estate investment and development software developers, offers a web-based amortization utility (http://realdata.com/ds/amort2.shtml) and a Microsoft® Excel® version (http://realdata.com/ds/amort.xls) that can be downloaded for free. The web tool is Java-based so you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Calculators4mortgages.com also has a Java-based Amortization Schedule (http://www.calculators4mortgages.com/Calculators/Amortization-Schedule/amortization_schedule.html) that calculates the monthly payment of a specific loan and breaks down the amount of principal and interest paid over the term of the loan.

HSH Associates (http://www.hsh.com/calc-amort.html), a consumer loan information website, features an amortization calculator to generate an amortization schedule (by month or by year), as well the monthly payment for a mortgage paid either monthly or bi-weekly. It is also capable of demonstrating the effects of prepaying your mortgage on an irregular or regular basis. There is also a JavaScript version available.

Century21.com, a real estate website, lets you calculate amortization schedules and save, and email the result or amortization table. However, you need to register to use the save and email features. Registration also allows you to store your search criteria, file agent information and build a custom library. Entry method is standard such as loan amount, interest rate, loan term and monthly payment.

Amortization Schedule provides detailed information about amortization schedules, amortization schedule calculators, create an amortization schedule, free amortization schedule calculators and more. Amortization Schedule is the sister site of Best Interest Only Loans.

An annual bonus can be a wonderful windfall at the end of the year to do with as you please. It could go into savings, a special purchase, paying down your credit cards or into your house as a prepayment on your loan. When your mortgage is calculated, either fixed or adjusted, you are told how much to pay on a monthly basis.

However, a mortgage calculator that specializes in additional payments will show it can be very much in your favor to consider this using your bonus as an additional annual payment

And you thought you were through with a mortgage calculator after you signed the papers on your house.

The monthly payment your mortgage lender requires is the least amount you must pay in order to keep current on your mortgage. It doesn’t mean that you can’t pay more! If you have an annual bonus which comes in every year, then it is definitely worth investing this by paying an additional annual payment against the principal outstanding on your mortgage.

Use a mortgage calculator to work out how much difference your annual bonus makes to your mortgage. Depending on the size of the annual bonus, and how much of it you want to use against your mortgage principal, you can save money in terms of interest you won’t need to pay. This reduction shows up because you are paying the loan off faster that your mortgage. The less time you owe, the less interest you pay.

This is the “miracle of compound interest” your bank loves working against him. When you pay ahead on the principal, you reduce the amount of interest you pay on the interest. Poor him, lucky you. Your mortgage calculator reveals the way to make it work for, not against you.

Another option you need to consider, however, is whether or not investing the money in another way would be more beneficial. It might work to your advantage to build up a larger amount and pay in that lump sum, say every 5 years, for example.

Using the current rate of interest offered for an investment account that can be opened with the amount of your annual bonus, work out how much in total you would have at the end of 5 years. Then pull up the additional payment mortgage calculator to work out what difference it would make to your loan.

The investment account pays you interest, and so you will have extra money to pay against your principal. In the second part of this scenario: use the mortgage calculator to calculate the mortgage if you paid the bonus directly against the principal balance on your mortgage each year for 5 years.

Which of the two totals works best for you financially? If it looks too good to be true, change mortgage calculators and double check. Which of them gives you a lower balance and lower mortgage term? This is the option that most effectively puts your money to work.

An additional payment against your mortgage principal is an ideal way of investing your extra capital in your home. Use the mortgage calculator first however to determine whether this, or an investment account, is the most efficient use of your money.

For more articles on how mortgage calculators can help you please visit: www.greatpublications.com/Mortgage%20Calculator%20Clues.htm