One way to help make that extra payment per year is to divide that one extra payment by 12 and add that amount to your actual payment. That's what I used to do. Payment was $600 so I sent $50 extra - $650 each month. Same difference but much easier than forking out an extra $600. I'm down to $2300 balance on our house. Had intended on paying it off this month but Tony got pneumonia and he fell a couple weeks ago and broke his collar bone...I had to take FMLA for a week so that shortened my paycheck without shift diff added into it. It will be paid off in 5 months anyway if I just ride it out. Then the fun begins....a new roof, new floors, already replaced the bedroom doors, need new entry doors, new windows, vinyl siding, replace some of the rafters on the patio, more insulation, need a concrete driveway, taking down the pool.....this house is 61 years old. I wish I had a new one but don't want a new mortgage.