Should I Start Investing if I Have Outstanding Debt? - Elevate Credit Union

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Posted By Anna on February 27, 2024

debt money bag next to bars going up investment metaphor

Q: Should I start investing if I have debt I am paying off?

A: Here are questions that can help you determine whether you should start investing before getting rid of your debt and various factors to consider when making this decision.

How high is your interest rate?

Your first consideration when making this decision is the interest rate on your debt. Credit card debt tends to hover at 20%, on average. The stock market, in contrast, has historically returned 10% for investors. When you run the numbers, investing money you could otherwise use toward paying down high-interest debt will generally not make sense. This is especially true when interest rates on credit cards are currently rising.

If the interest rate on your debt falls under the 10% mark, it may be worthwhile for you to start investing while still carrying debt. Read on for additional considerations first, though.

How much outstanding debt are you carrying?

If your debt is so large it’s impacting your budget and making it difficult for you to get through the month, you’ll likely want to pay it off before you begin investing. Carrying a large amount of credit card debt can negatively impact your credit score.

What kind of debt are you carrying?

Not all debt is created equal. There are some good kinds of debt which will ultimately increase your net worth or earning power. These include mortgage loans, auto loans, home equity loans that are used for home improvement projects, and student loans. On the flip side is bad debt, which will not boost your equity or earning power, such as credit card debt and most personal loans.

If you want to start investing but you’re still paying off your mortgage or your auto loan, don’t let these hold you back! As good debt, these loans should not have a negative impact on your credit score and general financial health as long as you continue to make full and on-time payments.

What is your retirement timeline?

It’s never an ideal time to carry outstanding debt, but it’s especially not recommended to bring debt into retirement. If you’re nearing the end of your working years and you’re still carrying debt, it’s probably best to work on paying it off before you begin investing.

How can I invest and pay down debt?

The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to wait until you’ve finished paying off all your debts before you begin investing. If you aren’t carrying a large amount of high-interest debt, here’s how you can start investing while paying down debt:

Continue making monthly payments toward your debts.
Work on building an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of living expenses.
Consider debt relief through a debt consolidation loan.
Boost your income with a side hustle and channel this money toward your monthly debt payments.

Use this guide to learn when and how to start investing while still paying down debt.

And if you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out more like this on our MoneySmart Tips blog.

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10 Year Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 10-year fixed mortgage. It assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $187,500. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 6.50% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 6.77%. The monthly payment would be $1703.22

120 payments of $1703.22 at an interest rate of 6.50%.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

5 Year Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 5-year fixed mortgage and assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $187,500. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 6.00% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 6.49%. The monthly payment would be $2899.92

60 payments of $2899.92 at an interest rate of 6.00%.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

15 Year Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 15-year fixed mortgage. It assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000 and an estimated property value of $187,500. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 6.99% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.18%. The monthly payment would be $1347.40

180 payments of $1347.40 at an interest rate of 6.99%.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

20 Year Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 20-year fixed mortgage with a 10-year call and assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $187,500. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 6.99% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.18%. The monthly payment would be $1162.05

119 payments of $1162.05 at an interest rate of 6.99%. The final payment was approximately $101,289.05 at the end of the 10th year.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

30 Year Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 30-year fixed mortgage with a 10-year call and assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $187,500. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 6.99% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.17%. The monthly payment would be $996.95

119 payments of $996.95 at an interest rate of 6.99%. The final payment was approximately $129,684.65 at the end of the 10th year.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

10 Year 2nd Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 10-year fixed mortgage. It assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property with a loan amount of $75,000.00 and an estimated property value of $300,000.00 with a combined LTV of 80% or less. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 7.25% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.43%. The monthly payment would be $880.51

120 payments of $880.51 at an interest rate of 7.25%.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

Home Equity Line of Credit 81-100% LTV

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Variable rate based on the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus margin of 3.25%. As of March 1, 2024, Prime Rate is 8.50%. Subject to credit approval. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. Maximum variable APR of 18% and minimum variable rate APR of 4%. APRs for home equity lines of credit with a loan-to-value (LTV) between 81% and 100% of the subject property are based on the Prime Rate plus a margin and your credit score. Property insurance is required. Fees may apply if closed within 36 months.

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10 Year NO FEE Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 10-year fixed mortgage. It assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $230,770. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 7.25% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.25%. The monthly payment would be $1,722.36

120 payments of $1,722.36 at an interest rate of 7.25%.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

15 Year NO FEE Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 15-year fixed mortgage. It assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $230,770. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 7.74% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.74%. The monthly payment would be $1,411.05

180 payments of $1,411.05 at an interest rate of 7.74%.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

20 Year No Fee Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 20-year fixed mortgage with a 10-year call and assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $230,770. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 7.74% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.74%. The monthly payment would be $1,230.50.

119 payments of $1,230.50 at an interest rate of 7.74%. The final payment was approximately $103,807.37 at the end of the 10th year.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

30 Year NO FEE Mortgage

APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The information provided is for a 30-year fixed mortgage with a 10-year call and assumes the purpose of the loan is to refinance a property, with a loan amount of $150,000.00 and an estimated property value of $230,770. The property is located in UT and is within Box Elder County. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The rate lock period is 45 days, and the assumed credit score is 720.

At a 7.74% interest rate, the APR for this loan type is 7.74%. The monthly payment would be $1,073.58

119 payments of $1,073.58 at an interest rate of 7.74%. With a final payment of approximately $131,945.70 at the end of the 10th year.

The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. An escrow account may be required.

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Home Equity Line of Credit 51-80% LTV

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Variable rate based on the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus margin of 0.25%. As of March 1, 2024, Prime Rate is 8.50%. Subject to credit approval. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. Maximum variable APR of 18% and minimum variable rate APR of 4%. APRs for home equity lines of credit with a loan-to-value (LTV) between 51% and 80% of the subject property are based on the Prime Rate plus a margin and your credit score. Property insurance is required. Fees may apply if closed within 36 months.

Home Equity Line of Credit 50% LTV

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Variable rate based on the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate. As of March 1, 2024, Prime Rate is 8.50%. Subject to credit approval. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. Maximum variable APR of 18% and minimum variable rate APR of 4%. APRs for home equity lines of credit with a loan-to-value (LTV) up to 50% of the subject property are based on the Prime Rate and your credit score. Property insurance is required. Fees may apply if closed within 36 months.

HELOC 6 Month Intro Rate 50-80% LTV

Introductory rate of 5.50% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) fixed for 180 days after account opening. After the introductory period, the APR on outstanding balance will revert to a variable rate based on the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus the margin stated in your original home equity line of credit agreement. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. Home equity loans and lines of credit have a maximum variable APR of 18% and minimum variable APR of 4%. As of March 1, 2024, Prime Rate is 8.50% APR. APRs for home equity lines of credit are based on the prime rate plus a margin, and are determined by your credit score and loan to value of the subject property. Fees may apply if closed within 36 months. Property insurance is required. Subject to credit approval.