START HERE: Mortgage vs Super vs Investing: What Should You Focus on in Your 40s?

Episode 18

Are you in your 30s or 40s and wondering what to do first with your money? Is the best thing to smash the mortgage, clear HECS, invest in shares, or boost your super? You’re not alone. Lots of people ask me the same question!

In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay, I respond to a couple who asked:

“We’re 40 and 42. We owe $148,000 on our mortgage, have $20,000 in HECS debt, $93,000 in shares, $20,000 in emergency savings, and together we earn around $270,000 per year. Should we pay off our home loan, clear HECS, invest more, or put extra into super?”

👉 Here’s what we explore:

🏡 Paying down your mortgage why home loans are “toxic debt,” how much interest they really cost over 30 years, and how small extra repayments save thousands.
🎓 HECS/HELP debt - how indexation works, when to prioritise it, and why it’s often “cheap debt” compared to your mortgage.
📈 Investing in shares - creating passive income streams, the power of compounding, and the importance of diversification.
👵 Superannuation - the tax advantages, why contributions in your 40s can supercharge retirement wealth, and the trade-offs of locking money away.
🔄 Debt recycling - an advanced strategy that can let you pay off the mortgage and invest at the same time, and why it must be set up carefully with professional advice.
💡 The real answer - it’s not about choosing just one, but finding a way to tackle all of these goals efficiently, in alignment with your values, lifestyle, and risk profile.

✨ The key takeaway: You don’t have to sacrifice one dream for another. With clear goals, strong cashflow, and the right strategy, you can reduce debt, grow wealth, and build financial freedom all at the same time.

mortgage vs investing, mortgage vs super, HECS debt indexation, debt recycling explained, financial planning in your 40s, pay off debt vs invest, super contributions Australia, SugarMamma Fireplay, Canna Campbell

💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Reach out to me anytime on Instagram @SugarMammaTV so we can keep this important conversation alive.

📚 My Books

If you’re ready to deepen your financial knowledge, check out my books:

Best Seller:The $1000 Project
**Mindful Money](https://amzn.to/3RV0poc)
Motivated Money by Peter Thornhill(a huge inspiration for me): Read it here

(These are Amazon aff

Published on 2 weeks ago

Podcast Episode Details

START HERE: Mortgage vs Super vs Investing: What Should You Focus on in Your 40s?