I totally get the temptation—those flight deals are like sirens calling you away from the sensible path. But honestly, watching my mortgage balance drop is the only “show” I need these days. I used to think, “What’s one month?” but then I ran the numbers on an extra payment here and there, and it blew my mind how much interest I’d save over the life of the loan. Even just rounding up my payments by $50 or $100 made a noticeable difference.
I’m not saying never travel (I mean, we all need a break), but I started treating every extra dollar toward the principal like a mini investment in my future freedom. It’s wild how fast that snowballs. The guilt over skipping a trip fades way faster than the satisfaction of seeing that balance shrink. Plus, once it’s paid off, those vacations will feel even sweeter, knowing there’s no mortgage hanging over my head.
Totally relate to this. I refinanced last year and started tossing every “extra” bit at the principal—birthday money, random rebates, whatever. It’s weirdly satisfying watching that number drop. Still, I do miss the spontaneous weekend getaways sometimes... but future-me will thank present-me, right?
Still, I do miss the spontaneous weekend getaways sometimes... but future-me will thank present-me, right?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think there’s a balance. I used to throw every spare dollar at my mortgage too, but after a while, I realized I was missing out on stuff that actually made life fun. Yeah, it’s cool to see the principal drop, but sometimes those little trips or splurges are worth more than shaving off a few months. Just my two cents—future-you probably wants some good memories too.
I totally get the urge to throw every extra dollar at the mortgage—there’s something satisfying about watching that number shrink. But I think you’re onto something with the “future-me will thank present-me” idea. That said, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and forget that life’s happening right now, too.
Here’s how I usually look at it:
1. Figure out what you *actually* need for peace of mind. For some folks, that’s a certain emergency fund or a specific mortgage balance.
2. Set aside a fixed amount for extra payments, but don’t let it eat up all your “fun money.”
3. Give yourself permission to enjoy those weekend getaways every now and then—just budget for them like any other bill.
Like someone mentioned above:
sometimes those little trips or splurges are worth more than shaving off a few months
Couldn’t agree more. The mortgage will be there, but memories with friends or family? You can’t buy those later.
It’s all about balance. If you’re feeling deprived, maybe ease up a bit and see how it feels. A little flexibility won’t derail your goals—and might make the journey a lot more enjoyable.
I hear you on the “enjoy life now” angle, but I’ll play devil’s advocate for a sec—those extra payments can be a game changer, especially with today’s rates. I’ve seen folks pay off their place early and suddenly have this crazy freedom to travel, invest, or just breathe easier. Not saying skip all the fun, but sometimes the real party starts when you’re mortgage-free... Trust me, cocktails taste better when you’re not thinking about interest.
