Should You Pay Off Debt or Invest? The Answer Nobody's Giving You Every financial expert online is telling you to either pay off debt first OR start investing now. They'll both show you the math. They'll both sound convincing. But here's what none of them are telling you — the question itself is wrong. If you keep asking the wrong question, you're going to keep getting the wrong answers. And for millions of people, that's why they've been stuck in the same cycle for the last 10 years. In this episode, I'm giving you the answer nobody in this space has the guts to say. This isn't theory. I was the guy living paycheck to paycheck. I was the guy broke, living in the back of my car. And when I finally started getting my money right, I asked the exact same question you're asking right now. Today I'm breaking it all down using my 5-Phase Escape Plan — a proven framework that takes you from living paycheck to paycheck all the way to generational wealth. The answer to "debt or invest" gets answered differently depending on which phase you're in, and I'm walking you through it step by step. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO: 📲 In the Black App (Escape Plan): https://www.anthonyoneal.com/app 💰 High-Yield Savings Accounts: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/savings 🏦 SoFi Invest: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/invest 🥇 Gold / Diversify Your Portfolio: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/gold ABOUT ANTHONY ONEAL: Anthony O'Neal is a nationally bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Table with Anthony O'Neal. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance & Banking and is a professor of Consumer Economics at Virginia Union University. Since 2014, he's helped millions of people get out of debt, build wealth, and break generational poverty. His mission is to help you maximize your income, eliminate debt, and create a life of freedom and legacy. 📅 BOOK ANTHONY TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT: bookings@anthonyoneal.com 🤝 SPONSOR THE TABLE PODCAST: partnerships@anthonyoneal.com Connect With Anthony: 👉 Website: https://www.anthonyoneal.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyoneal 🎵 TikTok: @_anthonyoneal FREE TOOLS & RESOURCES: 📊 Budgeting & Wealth Tracker: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/wealthbudget 🧠 Book a FREE 15-Minute Financial Plan: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/getmyplan 📞 Call In & Be On The Show: (771)-224-8131 TRUSTED PARTNERS: These tools help you win with money: - SoFi High-Yield Savings (Earn 4.6% APY): https://anthonyoneal.com/savings - Dovly (Credit repair made simple): https://www.anthonyoneal.com/dovly - Kikoff (Build credit the smart way): https://www.anthonyoneal.com/kikoff - MooMoo (Start investing + get 5 FREE stocks): https://www.anthonyoneal.com/moomoo - Ethos Life Insurance (Term life in minutes): https://link.anthonyoneal.com/ethos - BetterHelp (Affordable online therapy): https://link.anthonyoneal.com/betterhelp Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Many offer special discounts for my community! ⚠️ GENERAL DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Please do your own research and consult a certified professional before making financial decisions.