
If you're considering saving money on your existing loan, you might be wondering whether it's better to save or refinance. According to the article, saving can be a great option if you're close to paying off your loan.
Saving can also help you avoid costly refinancing fees, which can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount. For example, if you have a $20,000 loan, refinancing fees could cost you up to $1,000.
However, refinancing can be a good choice if you can lower your interest rate and save money on interest payments over the life of the loan. In some cases, refinancing can even save you thousands of dollars.
For more insights, see: Hard Money Heloc
When to Refinance
Refinancing can be a great way to save money, but it's essential to consider the right time to do it. If your credit score has improved or rates are lower now, you may see savings in both interest paid and monthly payments. This is especially true if you can beat your original interest rate, which can happen if you've improved your credit score or rates have decreased.
Consider reading: Mortgage Rates 680 Credit Score

To determine if refinancing is right for you, consider the following factors: the after-tax monthly savings, the amount of time you intend to be in your home, and the cost of obtaining the new mortgage. For example, if you can lower your interest rate and plan to stay in your home long enough to recoup the refinance closing costs, it may be a good idea to refinance.
Here are some key reasons to consider refinancing: you can lower your interest rate, trim your monthly mortgage payment, and see a long-term savings. For instance, refinancing a 30-year mortgage from 6.23% to 5.11% can save you around $29,000 over the life of the loan.
On a similar theme: Interest Only Jumbo Mortgage Rates
When a Loan Can Save You Money
Refinancing a loan can be a smart move if you're looking to save money. You can refinance to a shorter loan term, such as 15 years, and save thousands in interest payments over the long run.

For example, if you refinance a 30-year mortgage with 25 years left to a 15-year mortgage at a lower interest rate, you can save almost $90,000 in interest payments.
Refinancing can also help you lower your monthly payments and make your finances more manageable. By refinancing to a 15-year loan, you can trim your monthly mortgage payment and give yourself more wiggle room in your budget.
To determine if refinancing is right for you, consider the after-tax monthly savings, the amount of time you intend to be in the home, and the cost of obtaining the new mortgage. This will help you calculate your return and see if it's positive.
Here's an example of how refinancing can save you money:
In this example, refinancing saved the homeowner almost $30,000 in interest payments over the life of the loan.
When to Consider an Auto Loan
Refinancing an auto loan can be a great way to save money, but it's essential to consider the right time to do so. If your credit score has improved or interest rates are lower now, you may see savings in both interest paid and monthly payments.
Additional reading: 5 Year Interest Only Mortgage Rates
You should consider refinancing if you can beat your original interest rate, which is often the case if you've improved your credit score or rates have decreased. For example, refinancing a five-year, $35,000 loan at 8.5% with four years left to pay over four years at 3.125% can save you $63 a month and just over $3,000 in interest.
On the other hand, if your car has held its value, you may not see significant savings from refinancing. Excess mileage, accident damage, or other factors that reduce your car's value can make it difficult to get a new loan.
You should also consider the length of your loan. If you're nearing the end of your loan, it may not be worth refinancing, as the savings may not be substantial. However, adding six months or a year to your term can reduce your monthly payment noticeably, even if you can't reduce your interest rate.
To get a better understanding of your auto loan refinance options, you can use an auto finance calculator. This can give you a quick estimate of the savings you can expect from refinancing.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Auto Balloon Payment
Lower Rate

If rates have dropped since you financed your loan, taking out a new loan at the lower rate will result in a lower amount of interest paid over the life of the loan.
Saving money on interest can add up over time, making a lower rate a significant advantage.
A $100,000 loan at a 5% interest rate could save you $10,000 in interest over 10 years compared to a 6% interest rate.
This means you'll have more money in your pocket at the end of the loan term.
Suggestion: Purchase Money Heloc
Refinancing Process
You can refinance your loan at any time, but it's essential to consider your current credit and financial picture. If you think you can secure lower interest rates, refinancing might be a good option.
Refinancing involves replacing your current loan with a new one, which can help you lower your monthly payments, reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of a loan, pay your loan off faster, or use your equity to pull out cash.
Here's an interesting read: Refinance Home to Pay off Debt

To refinance successfully, think about your current credit and financial picture. Have your credit scores improved since you got your original loan? Do your income and savings hold strong? If not, will your financial standing still allow you to secure favorable rates and terms on a new loan?
Here are some potential outcomes to consider:
- Lower monthly payments
- Reduced interest paid over the loan's life
- Paying off the loan faster
- Access to cash using your equity
How It Works
Refinancing is a process of replacing your current loan with a new one, and it can help you lower your monthly payments, reduce the amount of interest you pay, pay off your loan faster, or even pull out cash from your equity.
By refinancing, you can take advantage of lower interest rates, which can save you money over the life of the loan.
To refinance, you'll need to consider your current credit and financial picture. If your credit has improved since you got your original loan, you may be able to secure a better interest rate on a new loan.
Related reading: Mortgage Refinance New Jersey

Lower interest rates can make a big difference in your monthly payments. If you can secure a lower interest rate, you may be able to lower your monthly payments and free up more money in your budget.
Here are some ways refinancing can benefit you:
- Lower your monthly payments
- Reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of a loan
- PAY your loan off faster
- Use your equity to pull out cash
Shorten Loan Term
Refinancing your loan can be a great way to save money and pay off your debt faster. Shortening your loan term is a popular option for those looking to make a big impact.
Refinancing to a shorter loan term can save you thousands in interest payments. For example, refinancing a 30-year mortgage to a 15-year mortgage can save you almost $90,000.
Here are some benefits of shortening your loan term:
As you can see, refinancing to a shorter loan term can have a significant impact on your finances. It's also worth noting that shortening your loan term can also save you money on interest, and can even help you pay off your debt faster.
Check this out: Term Insurance for Home Loan
Refinancing Options

Refinancing can be a complex process, but there are several options to consider. The most common type of refinance is a rate-and-term refinance, which replaces your current loan with a new one for the same outstanding amount, but with a new interest rate and repayment term.
You can also explore cash-out refinance, which allows you to borrow against the equity in your home and potentially get a lower rate in the process. Alternatively, you can opt for a cash-in refinance, which involves making a lump sum payment to reduce your loan balance.
Here are some common refinance options:
- Rate-and-term refinance: Replaces your current loan with a new one for the same outstanding amount, but with a new interest rate and repayment term.
- Cash-out refinance: Allows you to borrow against the equity in your home and potentially get a lower rate in the process.
- Cash-in refinance: Involves making a lump sum payment to reduce your loan balance.
- Streamline refinance: A faster, cheaper, and easier option available for FHA, USDA, and VA loans that often don't require a credit check or home appraisal.
- No-closing-cost refinance: Lets you roll closing costs into your new loan amount or pay a higher interest rate.
- Short refinance: May be worth considering if you're hoping to refinance an underwater mortgage by taking out a smaller loan that's in line with your property's current value.
To determine which option is best for you, consider your individual circumstances and goals.
Negotiate Low Closing Costs
You can lower your interest rate and plan to stay in your home long enough to recoup the refinance closing costs.
Many borrowers can benefit from negotiating with their lender for a no-closing-cost refinance, which can result in a rate that's slightly higher than market rates, but still much lower than your current rate.
Closing costs can range from 2% to 5% of your loan amount, but you can try to negotiate for a better deal.
Refinancing can help you start saving within months, not years, if you get the right deal.
A different take: No Closing Cost Mortgage Loans
Options

Refinancing options can be a great way to save money on your mortgage, but did you know there are several types to choose from?
One of the most common types is the rate-and-term refinance, which replaces your current loan with a new one for the same outstanding amount, but with a new interest rate, repayment term, or both.
A cash-out refinance is another option, where you borrow against the equity in your home and pull out some of the difference between what you still owe and its current value. You can also get a lower rate in the process.
If you want to reduce your loan balance, a cash-in refinance might be the way to go. You'll make a lump sum payment to lower your balance, then refinance to get a new rate or repayment term.
For FHA, USDA, and VA loans, a streamline refinance is a faster, cheaper, and easier option, often without a credit check or home appraisal.
No-closing-cost refinancing lets you roll closing costs into your new loan amount or pay a higher interest rate instead of paying upfront.
Lastly, a short refinance can help if you're underwater on your mortgage, allowing you to take out a smaller loan that's in line with your property's current value.
Here are some of the refinancing options in a nutshell:
Refinancing Considerations
Refinancing your mortgage or auto loan can be a great way to save money, but it's essential to consider several factors before making a decision.
To determine if refinancing is worth it, calculate your break-even point, which is the point at which your refinance savings outweigh your closing costs. This will help you know exactly how long it'll take to reap the savings.
You should aim to recoup your costs in the first 24 months of the loan, but some experts say you'll want to be in your house at least two to five years after refinancing to make it financially sense.
A different take: Average Refi Closing Costs

Here are some key factors to consider:
- Can you beat your original interest rate? If your credit score has improved or rates are lower now, you may see savings in both interest paid and monthly payments.
- Has your car held its value? Excess mileage, accident damage—anything that might reduce your car's value—could make it difficult to get a new loan.
- Is your loan nearly paid off? If you're nearing the end of your loan, it may not be worth refinancing.
- Would you consider a longer loan term to get a lower monthly payment? Shaving a point off your interest rate might not save you much, but adding six months or a year to your term could reduce your monthly payment noticeably.
Things to Consider
Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart move, but it's essential to consider the costs involved. Closing costs can range from 2% to 5% of your new loan's principal balance, which is a significant amount of money.
You should aim to stay in your home long enough to recoup the costs of refinancing. As a general rule, you can break even and start seeing real savings in about 2-3 years after refinancing.
To determine your break-even point, divide your closing costs by your monthly savings. For example, if your closing costs total $4,000 and your monthly savings are $100, it would take you 40 months to recoup your costs.
The cost of refinancing a mortgage can be substantial, with average closing costs ranging from $4,000 to $5,000. However, shopping around for a lender who offers competitive interest rates and low fees can help you save money.
If this caught your attention, see: Equipment Financing with No Money down

You can negotiate with your lender for a no-closing-cost refinance, which can be a good option if you don't have the upfront cash to refinance. However, keep in mind that you'll pay a higher-than-market interest rate, which can cost you more in the long run.
Here are some things to consider before refinancing:
- Your current interest rate: If rates have dropped since you financed your loan, refinancing to a lower rate can save you money.
- Your loan balance: If you have a low loan balance, refinancing might not be worth it.
- Your credit score: Your credit score can affect the interest rate you qualify for and the fees you'll pay.
- Your debt-to-income ratio: Refinancing can affect your debt-to-income ratio, which can impact your ability to qualify for other loans.
Ultimately, refinancing your mortgage should save you money over the life of the loan. If you can't recoup your costs in the first 2-3 years, refinancing might not be worth it.
How Does Affect Credit?
Refinancing can have a temporary impact on your credit score, but it's not a reason to put off this potentially beneficial move. Hard inquiries on your credit, which occur when lenders process your loan application, can lower your score by a handful of points.
These points will drop off completely after a year, so it's a temporary setback. Missed payments on your old loan can also affect your credit score, so make sure to pay any payments that are due while your refi is processing.
Closing a longstanding loan account can have a minor impact on your credit score, but if you close it in good standing and make timely payments on your new loan, your credit should recover.
On a similar theme: Refi Points
Eliminate Private Insurance

If you have at least 20% equity when you refinance, you might be able to eliminate PMI or MIP and increase your savings.
You can eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI) if your home's value has increased, increasing your equity stake.
Having at least 20 percent equity based on the appraised value and the current balance on your mortgage can trigger a drop in PMI payments when you refinance.
Refinancing your conventional loan can help you get out of paying PMI right away, or at least earlier, if your home's value has increased.
See what others are reading: When Is It Too Late to save a Marriage?
Faster Payoff
If you plan to stay in your home for a longer period, it almost always makes sense to take the lower interest rate and either roll the closing costs into the loan balance or pay these costs upfront at closing.
You need to look at what you're saving monthly versus over the long term to make an informed decision.
Paying more in interest in the short term might be worth it if you're moving soon and don't want to add to your loan balance.
Refinancing Tools

Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart financial move, but it's not always the best option. According to the article, refinancing can save you up to 2% on your mortgage interest rate.
To determine if refinancing is right for you, you can use online tools like mortgage refinance calculators or loan comparison websites. These tools can help you estimate how much you can save by refinancing your mortgage.
The article also suggests checking your credit score before refinancing, as a good credit score can help you qualify for better interest rates. A credit score of 760 or higher can give you access to the best interest rates.
Refinancing can also help you pay off your mortgage faster, which can save you thousands of dollars in interest payments over the life of the loan. For example, the article notes that refinancing from a 30-year mortgage to a 15-year mortgage can save you up to $50,000 in interest payments.
Explore further: Balloon Loan Meaning
Refinancing Decisions

Refinancing a mortgage can be a smart move if you can secure a lower interest rate. In one example, a homeowner refinanced a 30-year mortgage with a 6.23% interest rate to a 15-year loan with a 5.11% interest rate, saving $29,095 over the life of the loan.
Lowering your interest rate can significantly reduce the total amount you pay over the life of the loan. For instance, in the example, the new loan would cost $678,806 compared to the original $707,901.
Refinancing can also give you more wiggle room in your monthly budget. In the example, the homeowner's monthly payment was reduced by $107, from $1,966 to $1,859.
You can use the following table to compare the current mortgage and refinanced mortgage:
Refinancing can be a good option if you can secure a lower interest rate and reduce your monthly payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the downfall of refinancing?
Refinancing can lead to more debt if not done carefully, as it can extend the loan term or increase the amount borrowed. Be cautious of refinancing pitfalls to avoid financial setbacks.
Is it worth refinancing to save 1%?
Refinancing might be worth considering if you can save at least 1% on your interest rate, but it's best to use a mortgage calculator to see the potential savings for your specific situation.
What is the 80/20 rule in refinancing?
The 80/20 rule in refinancing refers to the requirement of having at least 20% equity in your home (or an LTV ratio of 80% or less) for conventional refinances, including cash-out refinances. This means you need to own a significant portion of your home's value to qualify for a conventional refinance.
Sources
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-does-refinancing-save-you-money/
- https://bankpds.com/refinancing-to-save.html
- https://themortgagereports.com/72087/is-it-worth-refinancing-to-save-100-a-month
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/when-to-refinance/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/refinance-calculator/
Featured Images: pexels.com