[babble-on]

I paid off the home mortgage the first chance I got, but I can understand why people choose to leave it out there. To me the more important goal should be putting yourself into the position to have the CHOICE to pay it off or not.

The actual choice you make may be a matter of taste or a flip of the financial market coin, but having savings on hand is truly valuable.

[silverleaf]

I like the Dave Ramsey approach
Savings yes- but set and reach a realistic goal (6 months expenses) - then PAY OFF DEBT

Once you’re debt free- savings grows fast!

This women would still have half a million after paying off her mortgage! Nice to be in that position

[CottonBall]

To me the more important goal should be putting yourself into the position to have the CHOICE to pay it off or not.

That's an excellent way to put it. It's like the credit cards I use for every day purchases. I always pay them off when the bill arrives, but use them for convenience. As long as I have the cash for the credit card bills (or to pay off the mortgage), it's really no different. Not paying off a mortgage allows some financial flexibility that might be good, while others might want the concrete act of having the mortgage paid off and being settled.