u/01throwmeaway10

Is a pledged asset line (PAL) a good decision for me?

Hey guys,

I currently have a 15 year mortgage at 5% for 120k. I have ~500k in my stock portfolio, and I've always thought about doing the whole coast FIRE thing. My ammortization calculator tells me I'll be paying $60k in interest over the course of the loan and of course I want to minimize that as much as possible. I didn't purchase the home outright in the beginning because I figured the money would do better in the market (house is 180k, I put down 60k because anything beyond that point wouldn't get me a better rate).

I was thinking about selling my long term holdings and paying off the loan, but then I'd have to pay long term capital gains and it'll also push me into a higher tax bracket (salary at the moment is ~150k). In googling more efficient ways to pay off the loan, I came across pledged asset lines (PAL) and at face value it sounds like a smart move for me. I haven't gotten quotes yet but I imagine the interest on the PAL would be less than that of my mortgage.

More financial details:

  • Age: 35
  • Salary: $150k (thinking about coast FIRE before 40)
  • Brokerage account: $500k (basically all VOO)
  • Emergency Fund (HYSA): $30k
  • 401k: $120k
  • Debt: Only the mortgage
  • Credit Scores: >800

Would love some thoughts and feedback, thanks!

reddit.com
u/01throwmeaway10 — 5 days ago