A tool designed to compute the repayment schedule and total interest paid on a loan when payments are made every two weeks, rather than monthly, it offers an accelerated repayment schedule. For example, a mortgage with a standard monthly payment schedule might be paid off several years sooner with this accelerated bi-weekly payment approach, all other terms being equal.
The advantage of such tools stems from the increased frequency of payments. Over a year, individuals make the equivalent of thirteen monthly payments rather than twelve. This effectively reduces the principal balance faster, which, in turn, decreases the total interest accrued over the life of the loan. Historically, this method has been utilized by individuals seeking to minimize long-term borrowing costs and build equity more rapidly.