Without giving out too much info.. paying off the mortgage would represent using roughly 25% of the money. I would still have 75% to invest. I've already started looking at investments and a decision is still not made. I have spoken to 3 different financial planners and all 3 are suggesting to not pay it off for at least 3-5 years to let the principle build and see what inflation does. They've also recommended setting up a small draw off the investment interest to pay the note so I still would lose the bill.

I already have an emergencey account that represents 6 months of salary. My kids college should be completely taken care of through 529 accounts that get about 1k put into each monthly automatically, I don't even see it. The kids are 1 and 3. They will afford Stanford if they choose at that rate.

There is also a chance for another windfall in 2-3 years. And this was not an inheritance, much worse.

Forgot to add: My Tax Att recommends paying it off. The FP's make commission based off the amount I invest so it's in their best interest for me to invest it all.

This post was edited on 9/23/12 at 10:45 am

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Posted by tirebiter

7K R&G chile land aka SF

Member since Oct 2006

9385 posts

Posted on 9/23/12 at 4:27 pm to LSUStjames

quote:
Forgot to add: My Tax Att recommends paying it off. The FP's make commission based off the amount I invest so it's in their best interest for me to invest it all.

Consider using a fee only FP that would design a plan for you using low cost, passive investments. You could revisit the FP as necessary over the coming years and you wouldn't have to worry about leeches/commissions/churning/wrap account fees, etc.

If you pay off the house you would own an asset that should appreciate with inflation longer term. Yeah, you would lose the leverage the mortgage provides, but your primary concern isn't maximizing returns. No one seems to want to address the uncertainty of future market returns, and QE isn't going to last forever. Given the fact you are contemplating commissioned FP's implies you don't have much investing experience, which is neither good nor bad in your situation and you are exploring options which is good.

I paid off my house. I didn't get a huge sense of relief or anything, but it didn't feel terrible, either. I owe debt on one rental property and own 3-others outright and I am not rushing out to re-mortgage them. I am also sitting on a large cash pile waiting on better opps, which may or may not come along, but I do have a significant investment portfolio with risk bearing assets, too. Everyone is different, being conservative with money is not the worst thing in the world. Even if you pay off the mortgage it appears you still will have plenty left if you choose to invest in other opps,you are taking care of future college costs for your kids, and potentially could have another large influx of cash. Maybe refi'ng into a lower rate 30-yr mortgage could be appealing as well.

Here is a link to NAPFA, an association of fee only planners, maybe your tax attrny can help with referrals to find someone suitable.

LINK

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Posted by Fat Bastard