Pay Off the Mortgage or Invest? What Should Come First

Pay Off the Mortgage or Invest? What Should Come First

Author: Andy Hill September 9, 2026 Duration: 39:19
Should you invest your extra money or use it to pay off your mortgage early? In this episode, we tackle that question from Brian, a 35-year-old dad with two kids and an extra $1,000 per month. His ultimate goal isn't simply building the biggest net worth possible. He wants to work less and spend more time with his family. We walk through a practical path that prioritizes building a strong financial foundation, reaching Coast FIRE, working toward mortgage freedom, and ultimately using that financial flexibility to create more time, space and margin. We also answer a question from a 40-year-old listener with $700,000 invested for retirement who wonders: Can you actually save too much for retirement? We explore how Coast FIRE can help us determine when we may have enough invested for the future, why time has an opportunity cost too, and how pulling back on retirement contributions could allow us to enjoy more of our lives today. And to close things out, Calvin Hill joins us for another Money Quiz! We talk investing, the difference between making more money and making more time, and the surprising amount of money generated by the company behind his favorite game, Clash Royale. RESOURCES: Boldin:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/boldin Coast FIRE Calculator:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ Nectarine (Advice-Only Financial Advisors):https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine Leave us a voicemail:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail CREDITS: Host: Andy Hill, AFC® Podcast Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill brings a refreshingly honest and practical voice to the often stressful conversation about money within a family. In Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families, Andy, an award-winning Family Finance Coach, moves beyond generic budgeting advice to tackle the real financial questions that parents and couples face every day. This isn't just about spreadsheets and interest rates; it's about aligning your finances with the life you actually want to live. You'll hear specific strategies for paying off debt, saving for college, investing for the future, and having those crucial money talks with your partner. The goal is to transform financial anxiety into purposeful action, creating not just stability but genuine freedom. Each episode of the podcast feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who understands that financial decisions are deeply personal and intertwined with family goals. Whether you're just starting out or well on your journey, the discussions here provide a roadmap for building security today and considering the legacy you might leave tomorrow. Tune in for relatable stories, actionable tips, and the encouragement needed to make meaningful progress with your money, all with your family's unique vision at the center.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families
Podcast Episodes
Coast FIRE with $1M by 35 in Ontario | Liz Enriquez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:52
What does it take to reach Coast FIRE by your mid-30s and actually enjoy the freedom that comes with it? In this episode, we sit down with personal finance educator Liz Enriquez from Ambitious Adulting to discuss how she…
When Work Hijacks Your Life: Here’s How to Break Free  | Guy Winch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
When work starts to take over your life, it can impact more than just your schedule. It can affect your health, relationships, and overall happiness. In this episode, we interview psychologist and bestselling author Guy…
Should You Have a Third Child? How to Think Through the Decision [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:00
Should you have a third child? And how can you help your kids graduate college debt-free? In this episode, we explore one of life’s most personal decisions: whether to grow your family. We walk through a thoughtful 7-ste…
How to Buy Your First Home | Scott Harris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:05
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s market with rising prices and higher interest rates. In this episode, we sit down with real estate expert Scott Harris to break down how first-time buye…
Coast FIRE with $900k by 40 in Colorado | Suzy May [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:59
What does it mean to reach Coast FIRE in your late 30s and how does it change your life? In this episode, we sit down with certified financial educator Suzy May to discuss how she and her husband reached Coast FIRE with…
$2.9 Million Net Worth at 43 in Vancouver | Kristy Shen & Bryce Leung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung have grown their family’s net worth to $2.9 million by age 43 without owning a home and while traveling the world for years. In this episode, we break down how they built wealth starting with…
$2.8M Net Worth in Texas by Age 35 | Justin Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:42
Justin Taylor reached a $2.8 million net worth by age 35 and retired in his early 30s. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he built wealth, transitioned from the Air Force to corporate America, and walked away fr…
Coast FIRE with $1M by 35 in New York | Jesse Cramer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:48
In this episode, we talk with Jesse Cramer about his journey to reaching Coast FIRE, a milestone where existing investments can grow to fund retirement without additional contributions. We unpack how starting early and l…