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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before You Retire?

Oct 30, 2023
Explore the decision of whether to pay off a mortgage before retiring, considering both emotional and financial aspects. Discuss prioritization of debt payment, factors to consider when paying off a mortgage such as current interest rates and accounting for home ownership expenses. Learn how visual perception influences financial decision-making.
31:59

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Paying off the mortgage before retiring reduces baseline expenses, freeing up money for other expenditures and providing financial and emotional advantages.
  • When deciding whether to pay off the mortgage, it's crucial to consider the financial benefits of having more assets and income, as well as the emotional comfort it brings, while maintaining a baseline level of liquidity for unexpected expenses or emergencies.

Deep dives

Paying off the mortgage before retirement

Paying off the mortgage before retiring can have several benefits. Firstly, it reduces baseline expenses by eliminating monthly mortgage payments, providing more money for other expenditures in retirement. This is especially useful when no longer having a regular income. Additionally, paying off the mortgage has both financial and emotional advantages. Financially, it frees up funds that can be invested or used for lifestyle goals. Emotionally, it provides a sense of satisfaction and relief from the burden of debt. It's important to take a broad perspective when making this decision, considering other aspects of your financial life. There is a balance between the financial benefits of paying off the mortgage and the emotional comfort it brings. One can also choose a middle ground by gradually paying down the mortgage while maintaining liquidity for other expenses.

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