In this episode of Mindful Money, we explore the choice between paying off low-interest debt and building taxable savings. While paying down high-interest debt is crucial, once that’s done, the focus should shift toward maximizing retirement savings and investing in taxable accounts. We'll discuss how the power of compounding can make investing more beneficial than paying off low-interest debt. We'll also touch on the flexibility that taxable accounts provide, especially in retirement, where they allow for tax-efficient withdrawals. Ultimately, financial planning is about building a life well-lived, not just accumulating wealth.In this episode:(00:00) - Intro(02:27) - Reaching financial basecamp(04:18) - Three steps on the way to the summit(04:36) - Debt management vs. investment(06:08) - Optimizing your financial decisions(09:03) - The power of compounding(10:33) - Investing vs. paying off debt(12:09) - Taxable accounts and their benefits(13:12) - Tax strategies for retirementGet full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.