<prompt> Human: Ive been wondering this for quite sometime so I thought Id ask. I cant imagine paying on a mortgage for 30 years so Ive always thought that I would try to pay extra in order to cut that time down. Im wondering if rather than doing that I should be putting any extra into something like a Roth IRA? I already have a 401k that I contribute to. Im currently 26 so I just want to make sure I make the correct choice so it pays off in the end. If someone has any advice or can direct me to where this question has already been asked it would be much appreciated!  <response>: The investment return on paying extra mortgage principal is equal to your mortgage interest rate. But that same money may return more in your 401k, at greater risk. 