<prompt> Human: There have been two things I have been told my whole life about paying off a mortgage and it is to pay half your mortgage every two weeks and to make an extra payment every year. Do either of these work to a considerable amount? I know making one extra payment will pay it down faster but is it that dramatic? I currently have a 30 year fixed.  <response>: Theres no magic here. Paying extra in advance lower your debt and hence you future payments. But theres no trick. You get what you pay for. 