[Boomer]

I know that I go on and on about the cost of sleep where anything financial is concerned.

And the other thing I always say is do not borrow money that you do not have.

That second one of my tired little sayings may seem to make no sense at all.

So I think maybe I should just cut to the chase here.

What I am saying is that if you have any question at all, in your mind, that the lump sum that you are clutching in your hand could possibly get away from you, by all means, pay off the house.

I tend to forget that I am perhaps more comfortable with making financial decisions than some others may be. And I really am a financial conservative. I do fear that some day I may invest in PEZ dispensers and Beanie Babies, but for now I sure am careful. Bubble danced a little in the 90's. But other than that, just plain boring.

It can be pretty tough to plan a retirement or a house payment around a projected market return. I have seen people try to do that. Lately, some of them are sweating a lot.

Retirement planning is not only about cash, it is about cash flow. Don't ever bet the house on cash flow from investments.

Your house? That's here. That's now. An investment you can see and touch. Not likely to evaporate on you.

Picture yourself sleeping under a paid for roof. Do you like it? A lot? Better than the thrill of the investment chase? How are you sleeping? Therein lies your answer.

Warning: I got nuthin', no piece of paper of any kind that says I know what I am talking about here. It's just an opinion.

Boomer