conversation: User (supersassysara): "Forgive me for asking a really basic question, my parents aren't good at all with finances and I'm not sure where to ask. \n\nI have about $20k of student debt that I need to pay off. I am also very bad with saving money that is on my debit card. So I thought that instead of attempting to save money, which I'll spend on online shopping, I'll just pay little bits towards my loans. This would be in addition to my monthly payment. \n\nCan this negatively affect me at all? \n\nThanks. "
  Self: "No. There is no downside to this. If you have multiple loans (as most people do), start with the loan that has the highest interest first. DO make sure that those extra payments are going directly to principal, though.\n\nYou should also take steps to take control of your spending. You will need to learn to separate "needs" from "wants.""
  ANGR1ST (ANGR1ST): "&gt; DO make sure that those extra payments are going directly to principal, though.\n\nYou do not need to do this. It's a commonly spouted misconception here. All extra payments are applied the same way regardless of what you specify. Interest, fees, then principle. The "paid ahead" status is *FINE*."
  musicman702 (musicman702): "Navient and Nelnet apply payments to fees, interest, and principal in that order."
  ANGR1ST (ANGR1ST): "Then it's all of them that do that. It's regulation.\n\nI can never remember if the fees come off the top first, or the interest. It's *usually* not a problem as there aren't any fees in normal situations."
  