Are you in your 30s or 40s and wondering what to do first with your money? Is the best thing to smash the mortgage, clear HECS, invest in shares, or boost your super? You’re not alone. Lots of people ask me the same question!

In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay, I respond to a couple who asked:

“We’re 40 and 42. We owe $148,000 on our mortgage, have $20,000 in HECS debt, $93,000 in shares, $20,000 in emergency savings, and together we earn around $270,000 per year. Should we pay off our home loan, clear HECS, invest more, or put extra into super?”

👉 Here’s what we explore:


🏡 Paying down your mortgage why home loans are “toxic debt,” how much interest they really cost over 30 years, and how small extra repayments save thousands.


🎓 HECS/HELP debt - how indexation works, when to prioritise it, and why it’s often “cheap debt” compared to your mortgage.


📈 Investing in shares - creating passive income streams, the power of compounding, and the importance of diversification.


👵 Superannuation - the tax advantages, why contributions in your 40s can supercharge retirement wealth, and the trade-offs of locking money away.


🔄 Debt recycling - an advanced strategy that can let you pay off the mortgage and invest at the same time, and why it must be set up carefully with professional advice.


💡 The real answer - it’s not about choosing just one, but finding a way to tackle all of these goals efficiently, in alignment with your values, lifestyle, and risk profile.

✨ The key takeaway: You don’t have to sacrifice one dream for another. With clear goals, strong cashflow, and the right strategy, you can reduce debt, grow wealth, and build financial freedom all at the same time.

mortgage vs investing, mortgage vs super, HECS debt indexation, debt recycling explained, financial planning in your 40s, pay off debt vs invest, super contributions Australia, SugarMamma Fireplay, Canna Campbell

💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Reach out to me anytime on Instagram @SugarMammaTV so we can keep this important conversation alive.

📚 My Books

If you’re ready to deepen your financial knowledge, check out my books:
Best Seller:The $1000 Project
**Mindful Money](https://amzn.to/3RV0poc)
Motivated Money by Peter Thornhill(a huge inspiration for me): Read it here

(These are Amazon affiliate links to my own books.)

💡 Work With Me

Want more support on your financial journey? Here’s how we can work together:
The SugarMamma Budget & Cashflow Academy
Sick of living paycheque to paycheque or feeling overwhelmed by your money?
This course includes aone-on-one appointment with me so I can personally help you.
👉 Enrol here
Money Mindset & Manifestation Coaching
Join my program for ongoing support, clarity, and motivation. You’ll get direct access to me and a community of like-minded people ready to make powerful change.
👉Join here

🌟 Stay Connected & Inspired
Instagram:@SugarMammaTV — money, budgeting, cashflow & motivation
Instagram:@CannaCampbellofficial — lifestyle, capsule wardrobe fashion, motherhood
TikTok:@SugarMammaTV
YouTube:SugarMammaTV — over 500 bite-sized videos with more than 12 million views!
Website:SugarMamma.TV
Don’t forget my other podcast:How Do They Afford That? 👉 Listen here

⚖️ General Advice Warning

While we discuss financial topics, everything shared here is general information only - never personal, product, or investment advice. Always:
Do your own research.
Weigh up the pros, cons, fees, caps, taxes, and risks.
Seek professional advice before making financial decisions.

📜 Financial Planning License Details

The information in this podcast does not take into account your personal circumstances, goals, or needs. Always read relevant Product Disclosure Statements before acquiring any financial product, and seek independent financial advice where appropriate.

Canna Campbell is an Authorised Representative and Financial Adviser of Links Licensee Services Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 700012 | ABN 97 678 975 589).

 

Are you in your 30s or 40s and wondering what to do first with your money? Is the best thing to smash the mortgage, clear HECS, invest in shares, or boost your super? You&rsquo;re not alone. Lots of people ask me the same question!
In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma&rsquo;s Fireplay, I respond to a couple who asked:
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re 40 and 42. We owe $148,000 on our mortgage, have $20,000 in HECS debt, $93,000 in shares, $20,000 in emergency savings, and together we earn around $270,000 per year. Should we pay off our home loan, clear HECS, invest more, or put extra into super?&rdquo;
👉 Here&rsquo;s what we explore:
<ul data-start="1169" data-end="2118">
<li data-start="1169" data-end="1337">
🏡 Paying down your mortgage why home loans are &ldquo;toxic debt,&rdquo; how much interest they really cost over 30 years, and how small extra repayments save thousands.
</li>
<li data-start="1338" data-end="1469">
🎓 HECS/HELP debt - how indexation works, when to prioritise it, and why it&rsquo;s often &ldquo;cheap debt&rdquo; compared to your mortgage.
</li>
<li data-start="1470" data-end="1600">
📈 Investing in shares -&nbsp;creating passive income streams, the power of compounding, and the importance of diversification.
</li>
<li data-start="1601" data-end="1755">
👵 Superannuation - the tax advantages, why contributions in your 40s can supercharge retirement wealth, and the trade-offs of locking money away.
</li>
<li data-start="1756" data-end="1935">
🔄 Debt recycling - an advanced strategy that can let you pay off the mortgage&nbsp;and invest at the same time, and why it must be set up carefully with professional advice.
</li>
<li data-start="1936" data-end="2118">
💡 The real answer - it&rsquo;s not about choosing just one, but finding a way to tackle all of these goals efficiently, in alignment with your values, lifestyle, and risk profile.
</li>
</ul>
✨ The key takeaway: You don&rsquo;t have to sacrifice one dream for another. With clear goals, strong cashflow, and the right strategy, you can reduce debt, grow wealth, and build financial freedom all at the same time.
<hr data-start="2343" data-end="2348">
mortgage vs investing, mortgage vs super, HECS debt indexation, debt recycling explained, financial planning in your 40s, pay off debt vs invest, super contributions Australia, SugarMamma Fireplay, Canna Campbell
💬 Let&rsquo;s Keep the Conversation Going
I&rsquo;d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Reach out to me anytime on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sugarmammatv">@SugarMammaTV</a>&nbsp;so we can keep this important conversation alive.
📚 My Books
If you&rsquo;re ready to deepen your financial knowledge, check out my books:
<ul>
<li>Best Seller:<a href="https://amzn.to/3RV0Bnq">The $1000 Project</a></li>
<li>**Mindful Money](<a href="https://amzn.to/3RV0poc">https://amzn.to/3RV0poc</a>)</li>
<li>Motivated Money by Peter Thornhill(a huge inspiration for me):&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/40rn2Vr">Read it here</a></li>
</ul>
(These are Amazon affiliate links to my own books.)
💡 Work With Me
Want more support on your financial journey? Here&rsquo;s how we can work together:
<ol>
<li>The SugarMamma Budget &amp; Cashflow Academy Sick of living paycheque to paycheque or feeling overwhelmed by your money? This course includes aone-on-one appointment with me&nbsp;so I can personally help you. 👉&nbsp;<a href="https://courses.sugarmamma.tv/Signup">Enrol here</a></li>
<li>Money Mindset &amp; Manifestation Coaching Join my program for ongoing support, clarity, and motivation. You&rsquo;ll get direct access to me and a community of like-minded people ready to make powerful change. 👉<a href="https://courses.sugarmamma.tv/join">Join here</a></li>
</ol>
🌟 Stay Connected &amp; Inspired
<ul>
<li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sugarmammatv">@SugarMammaTV</a>&nbsp;&mdash; money, budgeting, cashflow &amp; motivation</li>
<li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/cannacampbellofficial">@CannaCampbellofficial</a>&nbsp;&mdash; lifestyle, capsule wardrobe fashion, motherhood</li>
<li>TikTok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarmammatv">@SugarMammaTV</a></li>
<li>YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/SugarMamma">SugarMammaTV</a>&nbsp;&mdash; over 500 bite-sized videos with more than 12 million views!</li>
<li>Website:<a href="https://www.sugarmamma.tv/">SugarMamma.TV</a></li>
<li>Don&rsquo;t forget my other podcast:How Do They Afford That?&nbsp;👉&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235">Listen here</a></li>
</ul>
⚖️ General Advice Warning
While we discuss financial topics, everything shared here is&nbsp;general information only - never personal, product, or investment advice. Always:
<ul>
<li>Do your own research.</li>
<li>Weigh up the pros, cons, fees, caps, taxes, and risks.</li>
<li>Seek professional advice before making financial decisions.</li>
</ul>
📜 Financial Planning License Details
The information in this podcast does not take into account your personal circumstances, goals, or needs. Always read relevant Product Disclosure Statements before acquiring any financial product, and seek independent financial advice where appropriate.
Canna Campbell is an&nbsp;Authorised Representative and Financial Adviser&nbsp;of Links Licensee Services Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 700012 | ABN 97 678 975 589).
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2603" data-end="2608">

Having been a Financial Planner for over 15 years, I have seen first hand how money problems can breed stress. Often, people make wrong money decisions because the world of finance can be intimidating and confusing. This podcast cuts through the jargon and provides practical, accessible financial education and empowerment - so you can build sustainable wealth and help achieve financial freedom. You will also hear real-life success stories from people who have transformed their finances and be empowered by valuable advice from industry experts. So join me for the start of a bold and brilliant financial future and growing community. For immediate access to all my content follow @SugarMammaTV@CannaCampbellofficial xCC

SugarMamma’s Fireplay

START HERE: Mortgage vs Super vs Investing: What Should You Focus on in Your 40s?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/30ac2c54-09a0-4961-b256-b34e0063b91f/transcript