LEARN · Mortgage math
Every payment is two payments.
Half goes to the bank as . Half goes to you as . The split is dramatic early on — and it's the single biggest reason refinance savings compound so quickly when you act.
Amortization
Watch how each payment splits.
Why the first years are mostly interest
Interest accrues on the , not the original loan amount. At month one, that balance is the full loan, so nearly every dollar of your payment goes to interest. As the balance falls, interest falls with it — and a bigger slice of your fixed payment goes to principal.
Why refinancing early wins
If you refinance in year three, you're cutting the rate on a balance that's barely moved. The longer you wait, the less principal benefits from the new rate. Run the math before you delay.
Want to keep going?
The gamified Mastery track rewards you for scoring each module and grants XP toward the Amortization Mastery badge.