In this episode, I sit down with financial educator Sarah Brady to break down one of the biggest questions people face with money: should you pay off debt or start investing? What we uncover goes way deeper than numbers.

We talk about how most people never learn basic financial principles, why high-interest debt quietly destroys your wealth, and how emotional habits like guilt, fear, and avoidance keep people stuck financially. Sarah shares real stories from her time as a credit counselor, including how people make decisions based on inherited beliefs rather than facts, and how something as simple as understanding interest rates can completely change your financial future. We also get into the psychological side of money, why your upbringing shapes your financial behavior, and how small habit shifts can help you build stability, reduce chaos, and actually take control of your money over time.

If you had extra money right now, would you pay off your debt or invest it—and what’s really driving that decision for you?

Money Mistakes Hurt | Sarah Brady | Growing Money with Sean Trace