Episode Details

Pay off your mortgage or invest? If you're pursuing FIRE, you've wrestled with this question. A paid-off house means thousands extra in your pocket each month and a lower FIRE number. But investing that same money could build significantly more wealth and get you to FIRE with a bigger nest egg. So which strategy wins?

To help you decide, Scott built a brand-new mortgage calculator that accounts for interest rates, investment returns, and taxes. He and Mindy use it to analyze real-world scenarios—high mortgage balances, different life stages, various risk tolerances—proving there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Who should prioritize paying off their mortgage early

• The hidden pros and cons of each strategy

• Why your timeline to FIRE changes everything

• How to use Scott's calculator for your specific situation

• Different paths for those retiring soon versus decades away

Whether you want maximum wealth for a luxurious retirement or just want to quit your job as fast as possible, we've mapped out strategies for both.

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