Investing Strategy, Using equity

After many years of pretty good personal money management on the budget side of the issue, I find myself wondering how to take another step forward in investing for retirement. I am behind in that I am now 48 and don't have much in a Roth, second home - property, etc. Where I do have some leverage is in the equity of my personal home. How can I determine whether or not using some of that equity to invest now will put me further ahead in say 10 years than simply continuing to pay down my mortgage at an aggressive pace. What factors do I need to know? How do I calculate the projected outcomes of those two strategies?

 

If you borrow against your home at 9% (includes all fees, etc.), you'll want to reinvest that money at a rate higher than 9%. It's just simple math.

If you think your investment will make 20% annually, go for it. But if it makes 5% you just lost a lot of time and money.

 

^^^ What Guy123 said, that's good advice.

What about renting out part of your home, like a downstairs suite, to make some extra money? Or how about renting out your garage or parking space? I see ads from people asking for garage space all the time on craigslist. That's an extra $25-100 a month.

 

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