Financial Resources

August 19, 2025
Paying for a home outright would be ideal for everyone, but most people rely on 20- to 30-year mortgages. Naturally, homeowners look for strategies to cut down the timeline and reduce interest costs. One popular method is the bi-weekly mortgage payment plan, which helps, but it has its limits. At Financial Minimalist, we take a broader approach. Instead of focusing only on your mortgage, we create a complete strategy to pay off all your debts faster and more efficiently. Here’s how the two methods compare.

August 19, 2025
Debt often gets a bad reputation in personal finance, and for good reason. The wrong type of debt can leave you stressed, strapped, and stuck for years. But not all debt is created equal. Used wisely, debt can provide leverage to grow your wealth, invest strategically, and get ahead financially. The real question isn’t “Is debt good or bad?”: it’s “Am I using debt wisely?” When Debt Works in Your Favor To evaluate whether debt is helping or hurting, ask yourself: Does this purchase or investment grow in value over time? Will it increase my ability to earn more later? Can it put money back in my pocket? If the answer is yes, this debt may be working for you, not against you. Common examples include: Buying a home: Builds equity, may appreciate over time, and can generate rental income Education: Unlocks higher earning potential and career opportunities Business funding: Provides resources to expand operations and generate revenue Important: Even “good” debt can become a burden if your finances are already stretched. Borrow strategically to support financial growth, not to accumulate unmanageable payments