[gwbas1c]

It all depends on the interest rates.

If I can invest with a 10% return, and can borrow at 0%, I'm better off borrowing as much as I can to invest.

But if I have to borrow at 10% and can only invest at 0%, paying off debt is better than saving.

[sys_64738]

Paying off debt is always better than investing the money. Nothing beats being debt free.

[IanCal]

There is not a simple answer to this, because it depends on your attitude to risk.

> Nothing beats being debt free.

Depending on your risk appetite, being debt free can come more quickly by investing than by paying off debt.

Your suggestion would mean nobody saves for retirement while they have a mortgage, for example. Fine if you are happy with very little risk, but for many that would be a bad option (waiting until you are 50 to start paying into a pension).