Debt: the good, the bad, and the ugly

I Hit a Fun Career Milestone—And It Got Me Thinking About Debt

Last week, I hit a career milestone that felt pretty exciting—I was quoted for the very first time in an article on Yahoo! Finance!

As a millennial who grew up with a cheesy Yahoo email address, this gave me a good laugh and a lot of pride.

What Was the Article About?

The article focused on something I see all the time when working with clients: millionaires carrying debt—even though they have the means to pay it off completely.

And the truth is, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

When Debt Can Actually Be Smart

Debt often gets a bad reputation, but not all debt is created equal. Certain types of debt—like mortgages, student loans, and low-interest auto loans—can actually be good debt when used wisely.

If the interest rate on your debt is lower than what you could reasonably expect to earn by investing that money instead, keeping the loan and investing your cash can make a lot of financial sense.

The Missing Piece: It’s Not All About the Math

But there’s a part of the conversation that didn’t make it into the article—and it’s something I emphasize with clients all the time.

Even if the math says to keep the debt, paying it off early can still be the right choice. Why? Because sometimes the peace of mind that comes from being debt-free is worth more than any potential investment return.

I’ve had plenty of clients choose to pay off low-interest loans, knowing full well that keeping the loan might technically be smarter financially. And every single one of them felt a huge sense of relief once that debt was gone.

Personal Finance is Personal

At the end of the day, personal finance is just that—personal. The “right” financial decision isn’t always the one that’s mathematically optimal. It’s the one that helps you sleep better at night, knowing your money is aligned with the life you want to live.

That’s why my approach to financial planning always starts with understanding your values, your goals, and what makes you feel financially secure.

If you want to check out the Yahoo! Finance article, you can find it here.