This article has been running for 3 or 4 days on CNNMoney.com -- it makes me sick, because the advice he gives is the exact OPPOSITE of the truth.

The man who asked the question should certainly pull what's LEFT of his money out of the stock market, and pay off his mortgage so he will almost own his house -- in fact, that last 20,000 will be paid off very quickly, as every monthly payment will go almost completely to principal at that point.

The stock market doesn't make you any money -- it seldom, if ever, did.  Not when you factor in inflation!

Everyone can't make "Free money while you sleep" -- that doesn't even make sense!

Those Jєωs are good at propaganda though, you have to give it to them -- look how they convinced 99% of people that paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in interest every month to the bankers is "just part of life" and "no big deal"!



Should I pre-pay my mortgage?

Question: My wife and I have a $100,000 balance on our fixed-rate 5.5% mortgage. We also have $80,000 in mutual funds in a taxable account that's down 50% this year. Should we sell the funds to pay off the loan? Then we wouldn't have to worry about losing our house if we got laid off. --George P., Hopewell Junction, N.Y.

Answer: I salute you for trying to guard against a financial setback before it occurs. But your proposed solution probably isn't your best choice. First, you'll likely earn a better return in the market, says San Diego financial adviser Jean Sinclair. Assuming you itemize deductions, your 5.5% mortgage costs you less than 4% after tax. Although stocks have been rotten lately, from today's depressed levels you ought to easily beat 4% over the long run.

The second reason not to pay off the mortgage: If indeed you lose your job -- and you run though your cash cushion -- it's easier to sell stocks than to pull the money out of your house.

A better way to address unemployment fears, says Sinclair, is to take a hard look at your spending. If one of you were to be laid off, what could you cut back on? Doing this exercise now, before any emergency pops up, can help keep worries under control.