This episode is sponsored by Eckard Enterprises. To start empowering your financial future, visit www.EckardEnterprises.com   Many people wonder if it is a good thing to pay a lump sum to pay down their loan. If you do that, your bank may allow you to do two things.   You can simply continue to make the previously determined monthly payments, which will allow you to pay off your loan early.    Or you can ask the bank to recalculate based on the new owed balance and give you a lower monthly payment for the duration of your loan.    To request a free copy of Doug's book Hippocratic House: Do No Harm When Purchasing Your Physician Home, go to www.HippocraticHouse.com.