Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast!

In this episode, we're talking about paying off your mortgage early so you can put that money to better use.

Fewer than half — 40% — of homeowners are mortgage-free, according to a Bloomberg analysis. And many of those are baby boomers. Being mortgage-free is often seen as a big milestone on the journey to financial freedom. So, how do you become one of the favored few who pay off their mortgage before the 30-year term is up?

Let's find out.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today's guest is Andy Hill, founder of Marriage, Kids and Money. He paid off his mortgage early not too long ago and he's going to tell us exactly how he did it — and how it improved his finances and his life.

Remember, even though we sometimes talk about money and specific investments on this show, don't take them as recommendations. Before investing in anything or making any money moves, do your own research and make your own decisions.

You can download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

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Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money.

How to buy a home

As you get ready to buy a home, there are a lot of moving parts. Here's what you need to know about getting the best deal when you buy a house — no matter where you live.

• How to Buy a Home Responsibly
• 15 Critical Things to Look for When Touring an Open House
• 15 Cities Where It's Cheaper to Buy a Home Than Rent
• The 10 Worst Places to Buy a Home If You Want It to Gain Value
• How Much Does It Cost To Sell a House?
• House Hunting? Here's How to Choose the Right Neighborhood
• What You Need to Know About Buying a Country House
• Should You Buy a House or a Townhouse?
• Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? Here Are Some Questions to Consider
• 12 Tips for Buying Your First House
• How Much Are Closing Costs When Buying a House?
• 5 Things to Know About Buying a Fixer-Upper House
• 5 Ways to Buy a House With a Small Down Payment

What you need to know about mortgages

When you buy a home with a mortgage, you need to know how it works, and the best way to tackle it. Plus, you also need to figure out whether you think you'll actually pay off your mortgage, and whether you think it's a good idea.

• What You Need to Know About Taking Out a Joint Mortgage
• How to Get Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage
• 7 Ways To Pay Off Your Mortgage Years Earlier
• How Making 1 Extra Mortgage Payment Could Shave Years Off Your Debt
• Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest?
• Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?
• 7 Times When It's Smart Not To Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
• 4 Arguments for Retaining Your Mortgage in Retirement
• Does a Reverse Mortgage Make Sense? 3 Things to Know

Meet this week's guest, Andy Hill

Accredited Financial Counselor Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping families build wealth and happiness.

Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger's Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of podcast downloads and video views, Andy's message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.
When he's not "talking money," Andy enjoys being a soccer dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock.

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

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About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She's been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 20 years. When not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading and the outdoors.