Debt Payoff Timeline Calculator — Formula
## Debt Payoff Timeline
A payoff timeline shows how each payment is split between interest and principal.
### Early vs Late Payments
In the early months, a large portion goes to interest. As the balance shrinks, more of each payment attacks the principal. This is why extra payments early on are so powerful.
### Month 1 Breakdown
- **Interest** = Balance x Monthly Rate
- **Principal** = Payment - Interest
- **New Balance** = Old Balance - Principal
This process repeats each month until the balance reaches zero.
A payoff timeline shows how each payment is split between interest and principal.
### Early vs Late Payments
In the early months, a large portion goes to interest. As the balance shrinks, more of each payment attacks the principal. This is why extra payments early on are so powerful.
### Month 1 Breakdown
- **Interest** = Balance x Monthly Rate
- **Principal** = Payment - Interest
- **New Balance** = Old Balance - Principal
This process repeats each month until the balance reaches zero.
Exemplo Resolvido
$20,000 at 15% with $600/month payments.
- Month 1 interest = $20,000 x 1.25% = $250
- Month 1 principal = $600 - $250 = $350
- New balance = $20,000 - $350 = $19,650
- Total payoff = 42 months (3.5 years)
- Total interest = $5,200