<prompt> Human: M34 and F24, combined gross income of around 82,000. 55k in savings, contributing 6 to our 401ks to cover company match. We only started them recently, so I have about 11k in mine and she has about 4k in hers.House was bought about 6 months ago. Currently paying 1025 a month for the mortgage 30yr, 3.875.Crunching the numbers, if we pay an extra 1,000 a month towards the house, it will be paid off within 10 years. We can afford this amount. My logic is that removing that debt will free up the income which can then be used for more investing as well as income to travel which is what we want to do. I also understand that investing extra through our 401k or through an IRA will let that money grow and have a larger amount available to us when we retire.I guess Im just wondering if the feeling of having the house paid off that quickly and 20 years of an extra monthly 2,000 in disposableinvesting income being available is worth it?  <response>: This is a frequent topic that comes up, and there is no right answer. Some people are more risk-averse, and prefer to get rid of their debt ASAP, regardless of the interest rate. Others like myself are okay with a bit more risk in exchange for a potential higher return, and we advocate investing in the stock market which historically has returned 7 nominal, while paying the minimum on low-APR loans, such as your house which is less than 4. Both methods are valid. Maybe you can compromise, and go half-way - contribute an extra 500 to the mortgage, and put 500 away either in your tax advantaged accounts for retirement, or other long-term stock investments. Or heck, even a travel fund!! You only live once, and Im all about the mindset of not sacrificing today at the expense of tomorrow. 