This is an excellent list, but I have to at least offer a counterargument for the following:

34. Paying off the mortgage, or at least planning a way to accomplish that. Don’t fall for the ridiculous trap that giving the bank $10,000 per year in interest so you can get the deduction and “get back” $2,800 from Uncle Sam is a wise move. I’ll make you this promise: give ME $10,000 and I’ll return TWICE what Uncle Sam does.

Having (or even extending) a mortgage isn’t just about a tax deduction–it can also be about the opportunity cost of investing all of your money in your home, and not having that money to invest in other places. If you own a $300,000 home that is fully paid for, that’s $300,000 that you’re NOT investing somewhere else. But if you own a $300,000 home with only $100,000 in equity, perhaps that other $200,000 is invested in mutual funds*, or a business opportunity, or any other number of potential investments that may provide a return greater than the 6% or so you are paying in mortgage interest, which, as you mention, is tax deductible.

*Obviously considering the current state of affairs, one could argue that mutual funds are not a great investment, but historically the stock market has returned more than historical mortgage rates.

Just some food for thought.

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