The One Time to Invest Before Paying Off Debt

Here's where it gets interesting, though. I've already s- There's one major

exception to the rule about paying off debt before investing, and it's so important

that it actually becomes the next step in our optimal investment order. If your employer

offers matching contributions to your retirement plan, you should contribute

enough to get the full match even before you finish paying off high interest debt.

This might seem counterintuitive, but the math is compelling. Employer matching

is essentially a guaranteed 100% return on your investment up to the match limit.

Even if you're carrying credit card debt at 22%, getting a 100% immediate return usually makes