What Does Amortization Mean?

Amortization is the gradual reduction of a debt over a given period.

Why It’s Important

This is how you can figure out how much you are really spending over the course of a loan.  It also shows how much of your payment is actually going towards principal and what’s being wasted on interest. 

Why It’s Important

An amortization calculator will amortize (show the reduction) your debt (such as a mortgage) and display your payment breakdown of interest paid, principal paid, and loan balance over the life of the loan.