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Often, when discussing ways to get out of debt, the subject of “mortgage versus investments” comes up. If you have a mortgage, your monthly budget likely revolves around paying it first, meaning investment ideas take a back seat. One way to free money up to invest is to pay off the mortgage, and many financial planners advocate for paying off the mortgage if you can with any available funds. Others suggest that by not investing extra cash, you miss the benefit of compounding interest your investment can earn over those same years. So, which is better? That depends.
Ultimately, the question comes down to how it affects your bottom line. But when it comes to investing versus mortgage payments, the first place to investigate is how it changes your tax return. Find an online tax calculator to calculate which one saves you more or if you break even.
Next, look at the concept of “opportunity cost” to determine which could save you more. An opportunity cost is a comparison of what you could gain by using a specific amount to pay down your mortgage or invest that same amount. If you have $500 extra to either invest or apply to your mortgage, for example, you might earn four percent on the investment, or $20. After taxes, those earnings would be $15.
If you use the $500 to make an extra payment on your mortgage and your loan is at three percent interest, it saves you $15, and after taxes you might have $12.50. In this case, the investment would net you more. Of course, each of these numbers adjusts based on your true rate of return compared to the interest rate paid, and the tax bracket it puts you in for the year. That means that while this year it’s better to invest, next year might be better to pay on the mortgage.
Even if a plan seems perfect this year, revisit your decision every year or two to see if you need to switch out your plan.
Ted draws energy and joy from building synergetic relationships with his Clients. Ted's nature is graciously gregarious and persevering; he's honest; and he's been dedicated to a substantial list of clientele throughout his 25 years in the hospitality business and almost two years as a REALTOR. His passion is creating a sincere, successful relationship with people.
Ted grew up in a family of Realtors in central Indiana, earned a degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and jumped into all aspects of the restaurant business. His ensuing hospitality career path eventually led him into the Event Management Sales & Service role in hotels and quickly guided him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and finally to a luxury resort in the Napa Valley, where he, his husband, and their dog have resided for almost a decade now.
The irony is not lost on Ted that his ‘growth’ journey has culminated in“living happily ever after” in an agricultural area with a small-town feel and sense of community strikingly reminiscent of his youth…and as a REALTOR nonetheless!