Re: Scary article on retirement planning.

"Nonymous" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > A paid off mortgage is good
> > security against the many economic risks that are out there.  You can live
> > very cheaply if need be when you don't have to pay the mortgage/rent.  You
> > won't have a paid off mortgage ever is you rent all of the time.
> 
> You don't have a completely free ticket with a paid mortgage, though... you
> still have taxes and insurance.  Maintenance and upkeep needs to be
> considered too... 

Agreed.  Those things are rolled into your rent, so you don't get out
of paying them if you rent.

> once a mortgage is paid off, it is still crucial to invest
> in keeping the house fixed up and even 'up to date'; otherwise, it may start
> to depreciate which could lead to an ugly situation when the time comes to
> sell.

Of course.  You pay for these things in a rental, too.  The difference 
is that if you own it, you can choose what and how things get fixed or 
updated.

-Tom