<prompt> Human: I am currently attempting to weigh the benefits of paying down my student loans andor seeing my money grow through investments.Ive recently spoken with a coworker about the benefit of loan studenthome loancar loanetc repayment versus the benefit of applying funds to an investment portfolio non-401k while making the minimum monthly payment on the loan.His stance is: While it may feel better to be debt free, the funds used to repay the debt will not be providing you the same financial benefit down the line when compared to an investment; as in, the negative aspect of compounding interest is outweighed by the money to likely be made by investing.While I follow that train of thought somewhat, Im uncertain what the best option would be if repayment of loans and minimum investments are held constant. Do I: Continue to make minimum monthly payments on my 50k student loan 6.05 interest, daily compounded and more than minimum for my situation installments into my investment portfolioOR Make additional payments on my student loans and minimum installments to my portfolio taking what I would have invested and put it toward the student loansLoan payment: 407moLoan amount: 50,000Loan interest rate: 6.05 daily compoundedEdit 1: FormattingEdit 2: My thanks to you all for such sound advice. I shall be paying it off. Regards.  <response>: 6.05 interestPay it off, and get it done. You may get a slightly higher profit when investing, like a 1-2 higher profit, but its not guaranteed at all. And that debt will follow you everywhere, like a ball on a chain. I would perhaps put 10 of your surplus money towards investments, just to see them grow slowly, but the big majority I would put towards getting rid of those debts. 