Paying off a mortgage early requires you to make extra payments. But there's more than one way to pay off the mortgage early:
Add extra to the monthly payments
A structured way to add extra: Divide your monthly principal payment by 12, then add that amount to each monthly payment. You end up making 13 payments, instead of the required 12 payments, every year.
A variation of the above tip: Deposit one-twelfth of the monthly principal payment into a savings account each month, then use that money to make a 13th payment.
Pay half a mortgage payment every two weeks. You make 26 half-payments, equivalent to 13 full payments a year. If you want to try this, first make sure your mortgage servicer is set up to receive biweekly payments.
Make a lump-sum payment toward the principal. You might do this after receiving a bonus, inheriting money or winning a lottery prize — any time a large sum lands in your checking account. Coordinate with your servicer to ensure that the money goes toward reducing principal.
Refinance to a shorter term. If you can refinance with a lower interest rate, for a shorter term, it's a win-win. For example, you could refinance a 30-year mortgage into a 15-year loan. The monthly payments will almost certainly be higher, and you'll pay closing costs, but your overall interest expense will be dramatically lower.