[SauronOfMordor]

That's fine and dandy, but look at amortization tables. The first few years of a 30 year mortgage you're only paying 20-40 dollars a month towards principal.

And I paid off the 30-year mortgage in 8 years, by putting in extra principal payments whenever I could, while not being obligated to pay more than my standard payment in lean times

[Paleo Conservative]

And I paid off the 30-year mortgage in 8 years, by putting in extra principal payments whenever I could, while not being obligated to pay more than my standard payment in lean times

That's getting the best of both worlds. Paying off quickly like a 15-year mortgage, but having the lower mandatory payment if something unforseen comes up.