{"id":22998,"date":"2026-01-22T20:46:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/budgetadirect.com\/?p=22998"},"modified":"2026-01-22T20:46:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:46:30","slug":"should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage-or-invest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/budgetadirect.com\/?p=22998","title":{"rendered":"Should I Pay Off My Mortgage or Invest?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<div id=\"block_66b3df45e804849c649e0cb7f7d262b0\" class=\"key-takeaways sm:border-l-4 border-(--accent) sm:pl-8 my-8 relative\" style=\"--accent: var(--color-blue-medium)\">\n    <!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"heading-4 mt-0 mb-4 text-crop-none max-sm:flex max-sm:items-center max-sm:gap-4\" id=\"key-takeaways\" data-position=\"0\" data-beam-element-viewed=\"\" data-id=\"br-h2-0-onpage-placement\" data-type=\"h2\" data-location=\"Editorial\" data-name=\"h2_all\" data-text=\"Key takeaways\" data-outcome=\"\">\n    <span class=\"shrink-0\">Key takeaways<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"max-sm:h-0.5 max-sm:w-full max-sm:w-full max-sm:bg-(--accent) max-sm:rounded-full max-sm:block\"\/><br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<p>    <!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col text-gray-700 mb-0 gap-2 list-disc\">\n<li class=\"pl-4 relative marker:text-(--accent)\">\n                                                            Using extra cash to pay off your mortgage loan early can save homeowners a hefty amount of interest over time.\n                                                <\/li>\n<li class=\"pl-4 relative marker:text-(--accent)\">\n                                                            However, putting available funds into investments instead might yield a more significant return and make you more money.\n                                                <\/li>\n<li class=\"pl-4 relative marker:text-(--accent)\">\n                                                            The answer to which is right for you will depend on your risk tolerance, your financial circumstances, your interest rate and more.\n                                                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Many people view debt as the financial enemy and strive to pay it down as quickly as possible. While that can be wise for high-interest obligations like credit card balances, when it comes to <u>mortgages<\/u>, the math isn\u2019t as clear-cut. Some experts say you\u2019re better off putting any available funds you might have toward investing, while others believe it\u2019s best to pay off your debts first before you focus on investments. As you weigh your options, here\u2019s what to consider.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pay-off-or-invest\" data-position=\"1\" data-beam-element-viewed=\"\" data-id=\"br-h2-1-onpage-placement\" data-type=\"h2\" data-location=\"Editorial\" data-name=\"h2_all\" data-text=\"Should I pay off my mortgage or invest?\" data-outcome=\"\">Should I pay off my mortgage or invest?<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s no one right answer to this question, and a lot depends on your interest rate and current market conditions. While paying down your mortgage ahead of schedule may be of financial benefit, you may find that your returns on new investments will exceed any cost savings you could stand to gain by paying down your mortgage balance.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike other types of loans, mortgages are considered <u>\u201cgood\u201d debt<\/u> because they\u2019re tied to an asset \u2014 your home \u2014 that typically appreciates over time. What\u2019s more, mortgages qualify as \u201ccheap money\u201d: In contrast to personal loans and credit cards, home loans carry lower interest rates. Because of this, some financial advisors believe you should leverage your mortgage rather than eliminate it. Take out that 30-year loan, keep it for as long as possible and devote any extra cash flow to investments or other goals.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMortgages are the cheapest money anybody could ever borrow,\u201d says Claire Mork, executive director of financial planning at Denver-based Edelman Financial Engines. \u201cI think of it as a financial tool.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Not everyone agrees with that approach, though. Chris Hogan, a Nashville-based consultant and author of \u201cEveryday Millionaires,\u201d advises clients and audiences to pay down their mortgages as quickly as possible and sees debt as a \u201cthreat.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"BlockQuote pb-8\">\n<blockquote class=\"BlockQuote-text\"><p>\n        <q>The average person has to fall back to, \u2018What is my tolerance for risk?\u2019<\/q><br \/>\n                    <cite class=\"PullQuote-cite text-gray-900 ml-0 md:ml-4\"><br \/>\n                \u2014 Ken Johnson, Walker Family Chair of Real Estate, University of Mississippi<br \/>\n            <\/cite>\n            <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p>Both strategies are viable in theory, says Ken H. Johnson, the Walker family chair of real estate at the University of Mississippi. \u201cThe average person has to fall back to, \u2018What is my tolerance for risk?\u2019\u201d says Johnson.<\/p>\n<p><u>Risk tolerance<\/u> is your ability to roll with ebbs and flows in the market, or more directly, your willingness to endure loss.<\/p>\n<p>If you can reach your financial goals while continuing to invest, doing so might be the best decision. But if you need your assets to remain intact, real estate is traditionally a more stable place to keep equity.<\/p>\n<h3>Pay off mortgage or invest? Factors to consider<\/h3>\n<p>A 30-year mortgage comes with pros and cons. On the upside, the payments can be on the low side (especially if you managed to refinance to a very low rate in 2020 or 2021), so there\u2019s not as much urgency to pay down the debt. On the downside, you\u2019ll pay a lot in interest over the life of the loan.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re debating whether it\u2019s better to pay off your mortgage early or invest, ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<strong>Do I have sufficient emergency savings? <\/strong>Conventional wisdom advises that consumers save up between three and six months\u2019 worth of living expenses to cover costs during an emergency or unexpected income interruption. Your answer to this question will depend on your risk tolerance, capacity to save and existing financial obligations.<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>Am I putting away enough for retirement? <\/strong>As with emergency savings, expert stances vary on how much you should have saved up for retirement by different ages and stages of your career. You may look ahead to which withdrawal strategy you plan to use down the road to decide how much you should be saving now.<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>How much other debt do I carry? <\/strong>Assessing your complete financial picture is key when determining your debt payoff priorities. Identifying which debts you should pay down first can help you to save on interest, maximize your investment potential and balance responsibilities.<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>What are my prospects for increasing my income? <\/strong>Whether this involves getting a raise at work or picking up a side hustle, your prospects for increasing income are another consideration in deciding whether to focus on investments or paying down your mortgage first.<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>What moves am I looking to make in the next year? In the next five years? <\/strong>Be sure to assess housing market conditions before making any decisions. Keep mortgage amortization front of mind, too: An amortization calculator can help you see how much of your monthly payment is going toward the loan\u2019s principal versus interest. If you\u2019re midway into your loan term and making significant headway, you may choose to stay put and build equity.<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>How does my mortgage rate compare to expected portfolio returns? <\/strong>Monitor your investment portfolio, assessing both near- and long-term return rates. A good benchmark to use in this situation is the S&amp;P 500, which has historical average returns of 10% annually. If your investment returns outpace the national average mortgage interest rate, consider keeping your current mortgage and accelerating your investments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"pay-pros-cons\" data-position=\"2\" data-beam-element-viewed=\"\" data-id=\"br-h2-2-onpage-placement\" data-type=\"h2\" data-location=\"Editorial\" data-name=\"h2_all\" data-text=\"Pros and cons of paying off your mortgage quickly\" data-outcome=\"\">Pros and cons of paying off your mortgage quickly<\/h2>\n<p>Paying off your mortgage early can save you money, but how much you can save depends on your interest rate and how early you pay off the loan. You can use an <u>amortization calculator<\/u> to figure out how much you could save by paying off your particular mortgage loan early.<\/p>\n<p>For example, let\u2019s say you have a 30-year mortgage for $400,000, with a 6.5% interest rate. If you pay the loan off in 30 years as planned, you\u2019ll pay a total of $510,178 in interest over the life of the loan. But if you pay off the same loan in 20 years, your total interest amount goes down significantly, to $315,750.<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-8 my-6\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsTable\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem-headerContainer flex items-center gap-2\">\n<div><\/div>\n<p>            <!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ProsAndConsItem-header\">\n    Pros<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<p>    <!-- htmlmin:ignore -->\n        <\/div>\n<ul class=\"ProsAndConsItem-list\">\n<li>Paying off your mortgage eliminates a large monthly expense, providing more cash flow.<\/li>\n<li>The sooner you pay off your mortgage, the less interest you\u2019ll pay overall.<\/li>\n<li>Your credit score tends to go up as you pay down debt, so paying off your mortgage might boost it.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem-headerContainer flex items-center gap-2\">\n<div>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/budgetadirect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/remove-circle.svg.svg+xml\" alt=\"Red circle with an X inside\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<p>            <!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ProsAndConsItem-header\">\n    Cons<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<p>    <!-- htmlmin:ignore -->\n        <\/div>\n<ul class=\"ProsAndConsItem-list\">\n<li>Putting all your excess cash into your mortgage means tying it up in an illiquid asset. You won\u2019t be able to access that equity unless you take out a second mortgage, do a cash-out refinance or sell the home.<\/li>\n<li>You\u2019ll lose the ability to take the mortgage interest deduction on your taxes.<\/li>\n<li>Housing appreciates at a lower rate over time than the stock market.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>As Hogan interviewed millionaires for his book, he discovered a common theme: Many <u>paid off their mortgages early<\/u> or as quickly as they could instead of holding onto the loans to term. If you decide to take this route, Hogan advises putting 15% of your income toward retirement savings and using any extra cash to trim mortgage debt. If you must have a mortgage, he suggests taking a <u>15-year loan<\/u> to get rid of the debt faster and pay far less in interest.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"invest-pros-cons\" data-position=\"3\" data-beam-element-viewed=\"\" data-id=\"br-h2-3-onpage-placement\" data-type=\"h2\" data-location=\"Editorial\" data-name=\"h2_all\" data-text=\"Pros and cons of investing instead\" data-outcome=\"\">Pros and cons of investing instead<\/h2>\n<p>How much do you stand to earn by investing? Here\u2019s an example, using Bankrate\u2019s return on investment calculator: If you make an initial investment of $10,000 and add another $10,000 each year for 10 years, you will have invested a total of $100,000. If you expect a 7% rate of return, you\u2019ll earn a total of about $157,836 when those 10 years end. Weigh that against how much you stand to pay in interest over the course of your 30-year loan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-8 my-6\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsTable\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem-headerContainer flex items-center gap-2\">\n<div>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/budgetadirect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/circle-check.svg.svg+xml\" alt=\"Green circle with a checkmark inside\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<p>            <!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ProsAndConsItem-header\">\n    Pros<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<p>    <!-- htmlmin:ignore -->\n        <\/div>\n<ul class=\"ProsAndConsItem-list\">\n<li>The stock market has historically returned an average of about 10%. While that&#8217;s not a sure thing, if your mortgage rate is less than 10%, you could come out ahead by investing.<\/li>\n<li>Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs are highly liquid, meaning you can sell them easily if you need the cash for other purposes.<\/li>\n<li>If you put money into a retirement account, you might be able to take advantage of perks like employer matching and tax breaks.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem\">\n<div class=\"ProsAndConsItem-headerContainer flex items-center gap-2\">\n<div>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/budgetadirect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/remove-circle.svg.svg+xml\" alt=\"Red circle with an X inside\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<p>            <!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ProsAndConsItem-header\">\n    Cons<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<p>    <!-- htmlmin:ignore -->\n        <\/div>\n<ul class=\"ProsAndConsItem-list\">\n<li>Stocks are volatile, and there are no guarantees. A bad year or two could put a big dent in your portfolio.<\/li>\n<li>For many people, their mortgage payment is their biggest monthly expense. If you invest instead of paying the loan off, you\u2019ll still have to make that payment.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s nice to be debt-free sooner, of course, but you could be sacrificing an opportunity to build retirement wealth. People \u201cfeel like they have to pay off the house before they retire,\u201d says Mork. \u201cThat\u2019s not always the case.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-decide\" data-position=\"4\" data-beam-element-viewed=\"\" data-id=\"br-h2-4-onpage-placement\" data-type=\"h2\" data-location=\"Editorial\" data-name=\"h2_all\" data-text=\"How one expert made the decision\" data-outcome=\"\">How one expert made the decision<\/h2>\n<p>Morgan Housel is a Wall Street pro and author of the book \u201cThe Psychology of Money.\u201d Housel and his wife carry no mortgage on their home \u2014 a money move he acknowledges is irrational.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn paper, it\u2019s the dumbest thing you could possibly do,\u201d says Housel. \u201cEven though it\u2019s the worst financial decision we\u2019ve ever made, I [also] think it\u2019s the best money decision we\u2019ve ever made. It\u2019s one thing that gives us a level of independence and autonomy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Housel admits they didn\u2019t behave logically on this front \u2014 but that sometimes peace of mind wins out. He and his wife actually celebrated when they <u>paid off their mortgage<\/u>. \u201cWhen we did it, it was like, high five, hug each other, this is so cool,\u201d says Housel.<\/p>\n<p>The lesson, he says: Maximizing every penny of returns can be emotionally exhausting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople should not just aim to be rational on a spreadsheet \u2014 \u2018rational on paper,\u2019 I think, is not a good financial goal,\u201d says Housel. \u201cPeople should aim to be reasonable and manage their own financial decisions about what makes them happy, and what helps them sleep at night.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\" data-position=\"5\" data-beam-element-viewed=\"\" data-id=\"br-h2-5-onpage-placement\" data-type=\"h2\" data-location=\"Editorial\" data-name=\"h2_all\" data-text=\"FAQs\" data-outcome=\"\">FAQs<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"Accordion w-full align\">\n<li x-id=\"['panel-does-paying-off-your-mortgage-early-hurt-your-credit-score', 'heading-does-paying-off-your-mortgage-early-hurt-your-credit-score']\" x-data=\"{ expanded: 0 }\" class=\"Accordion-item\">\n<button class=\"Accordion-titleContainer py-4 px-3 sm:px-6 group sm:py-6\" type=\"button\" :id=\"$id('heading-does-paying-off-your-mortgage-early-hurt-your-credit-score')\" :aria-controls=\"$id('panel-does-paying-off-your-mortgage-early-hurt-your-credit-score')\" :aria-expanded=\"expanded ? true : false\" x-on:click=\"expanded = !expanded\" :data-outcome=\"expanded ? 'open_accordion' : 'close_accordion'\"><!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Accordion-title my-0 mr-2 md:flex-1\">\n    Does paying off your mortgage early hurt your credit score?<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<p><!-- htmlmin:ignore --><span class=\"Accordion-icon Icon mb-0 block leading-none Icon--sm icon-base-blue-600\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"Icon-glyph\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\" focusable=\"false\"><default:title>Caret Down Icon<\/default:title><br \/>\n<default:path d=\"M12 17.152c-.33 0-.675-.131-.94-.378L3.384 9.09a1.32 1.32 0 0 1 0-1.86c.51-.51 1.351-.51 1.862 0L12 13.977l6.755-6.747c.51-.51 1.351-.51 1.862 0 .51.51.51 1.35 0 1.86l-7.694 7.684a1.295 1.295 0 0 1-.94.378H12Z\" class=\"icon-base\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"Accordion-contentWrapper\" :id=\"$id('panel-does-paying-off-your-mortgage-early-hurt-your-credit-score')\" :aria-labelledby=\"$id('heading-does-paying-off-your-mortgage-early-hurt-your-credit-score')\" x-show=\"expanded\" x-collapse=\"\" role=\"region\" style=\"height: 0; overflow: hidden; display: none;\">\n<p>\n            Paying off your mortgage does not have a drastic effect on your credit score, according to Experian, one of the three national credit bureaus. However, if you do not get another mortgage by the time your paid-off mortgage account drops off your credit history (after 10 years), you might see your score dip slightly from the reduced credit mix and length of your accounts.\n        <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li x-id=\"['panel-what-are-the-best-ways-to-invest-extra-cash', 'heading-what-are-the-best-ways-to-invest-extra-cash']\" x-data=\"{ expanded: 0 }\" class=\"Accordion-item\">\n<button class=\"Accordion-titleContainer py-4 px-3 sm:px-6 group sm:py-6\" type=\"button\" :id=\"$id('heading-what-are-the-best-ways-to-invest-extra-cash')\" :aria-controls=\"$id('panel-what-are-the-best-ways-to-invest-extra-cash')\" :aria-expanded=\"expanded ? true : false\" x-on:click=\"expanded = !expanded\" :data-outcome=\"expanded ? 'open_accordion' : 'close_accordion'\"><!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Accordion-title my-0 mr-2 md:flex-1\">\n    What are the best ways to invest extra cash?<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<p><!-- htmlmin:ignore --><span class=\"Accordion-icon Icon mb-0 block leading-none Icon--sm icon-base-blue-600\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"Icon-glyph\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\" focusable=\"false\"><default:title>Caret Down Icon<\/default:title><br \/>\n<default:path d=\"M12 17.152c-.33 0-.675-.131-.94-.378L3.384 9.09a1.32 1.32 0 0 1 0-1.86c.51-.51 1.351-.51 1.862 0L12 13.977l6.755-6.747c.51-.51 1.351-.51 1.862 0 .51.51.51 1.35 0 1.86l-7.694 7.684a1.295 1.295 0 0 1-.94.378H12Z\" class=\"icon-base\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"Accordion-contentWrapper\" :id=\"$id('panel-what-are-the-best-ways-to-invest-extra-cash')\" :aria-labelledby=\"$id('heading-what-are-the-best-ways-to-invest-extra-cash')\" x-show=\"expanded\" x-collapse=\"\" role=\"region\" style=\"height: 0; overflow: hidden; display: none;\">\n<div class=\"Accordion-content text-gray-700 px-3 pb-4 sm:px-6 sm:pb-6\">\n            While paying extra toward your mortgage principal may be a solid move, remember that investment options come in many forms. From college savings plans to brokerage accounts, there are many ways to earn interest while pursuing financial goals outside of paying down your mortgage. Warren Buffett has long advised investors to purchase an S&amp;P 500 index fund and keep it over time. Connecting with a financial advisor can help you align your objectives with the most impactful investment options.\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li x-id=\"['panel-should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage-or-buy-an-investment-property', 'heading-should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage-or-buy-an-investment-property']\" x-data=\"{ expanded: 0 }\" class=\"Accordion-item\">\n<button class=\"Accordion-titleContainer py-4 px-3 sm:px-6 group sm:py-6\" type=\"button\" :id=\"$id('heading-should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage-or-buy-an-investment-property')\" :aria-controls=\"$id('panel-should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage-or-buy-an-investment-property')\" :aria-expanded=\"expanded ? true : false\" x-on:click=\"expanded = !expanded\" :data-outcome=\"expanded ? 'open_accordion' : 'close_accordion'\"><!-- htmlmin:ignore --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Accordion-title my-0 mr-2 md:flex-1\">\n    Should I pay off my mortgage or buy an investment property?<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<p><!-- htmlmin:ignore --><span class=\"Accordion-icon Icon mb-0 block leading-none Icon--sm icon-base-blue-600\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"Icon-glyph\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\" focusable=\"false\"><default:title>Caret Down Icon<\/default:title><br \/>\n<default:path d=\"M12 17.152c-.33 0-.675-.131-.94-.378L3.384 9.09a1.32 1.32 0 0 1 0-1.86c.51-.51 1.351-.51 1.862 0L12 13.977l6.755-6.747c.51-.51 1.351-.51 1.862 0 .51.51.51 1.35 0 1.86l-7.694 7.684a1.295 1.295 0 0 1-.94.378H12Z\" class=\"icon-base\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"Accordion-contentWrapper\" :id=\"$id('panel-should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage-or-buy-an-investment-property')\" :aria-labelledby=\"$id('heading-should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage-or-buy-an-investment-property')\" x-show=\"expanded\" x-collapse=\"\" role=\"region\" style=\"height: 0; overflow: hidden; display: none;\">\n<p>\n            Consider how much you have left to pay on your mortgage \u2014 if you are close to paying it off and doing so would bring peace of mind, you might opt to pay it off. If you want to purchase an investment property before paying off your first mortgage, consider if you can afford to have two mortgages at once and can upkeep two homes at once. It could also be helpful to calculate your return on investment (ROI) for purchasing an investment property to determine how much you could profit. Speaking with a financial advisor can help you make this decision.\n        <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"HelpfulCTA mx-auto flex flex-col items-center gap-6 my-6 py-12 text-base border-y border-gray-200\" data-helpful-cta=\"\" data-beam-element-viewed=\"\" id=\"did-you-find-this-helpful\" data-type=\"cta\" data-location=\"article-bottom\" data-position=\"banner\" data-text=\"Did you find this page helpful?\">\n<div class=\"HelpfulCTA-initial w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-4\" data-cta-initial=\"\">\n<div class=\"HelpfulCTA-question text-lg font-bold text-center text-gray-900\">\n            Did you find this page helpful?<\/p>\n<div id=\"8R99pB0fuo\" class=\"hidden\">\n<div class=\"wysiwyg wysiwyg--sm wysiwyg--flush max-w-xs\">\n<p class=\"mb-6 text-base\">\n                            <strong class=\"block font-bold text-gray-900\">Why we ask for feedback<\/strong><br \/>\n                            Your feedback helps us improve our content and services. 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However, putting available funds into investments instead might yield a more significant return and make you more money. The answer to which is right for you will depend on your risk tolerance, your<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-22998","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-homes"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Should I Pay Off My Mortgage or Invest? | BudgetADirect<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Key takeaways Using extra cash to pay off your mortgage loan early can save homeowners a hefty amount of interest over time. 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