I mentioned last week that we’ve been re-working our budget, doing some planning and generally having big discussions about the future….again! 
Well the upshot of these discussions is that I return to work as soon as possible to speed up our mortgage payoff. Somehow over the last two years I’ve convinced myself that I’m happy owing six figures to a bank, but I’m not…….so from July onwards we’re back to making large over payments.
In a recent post Sandy at First Gen American talked about how motivating debt can be and I agree. When I was in [consumer] debt my focus on that debt was unwavering, and it didn’t stop until it was all gone. Now that same focus needs to be applied to eliminating our mortgage debt.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Looking forward to seeing your progress!
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Me too! It will be exciting watching that number go down.
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Laura Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@Niki Thanks!
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good for you. though bums to having to work! at least it is with a strong purpose in mind.
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Laura Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@ Mo, lol..only part time though so not too bad
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Perhaps you just needed to take a little break after that consumer debt was paid off. It can get kind of buzz kill to pay off one thing with something else waiting right behind it. Taking a little time off from working as a reward for living the frugal life, makes it feel like you accomplished something.
Even with total debt freedom there is always that next expense looming..car fund, college fund, vacation fund.
Good luck on returning back to work. Those first few paychecks are awesomely good. I remember not having a few of mine when I was on maternity leave and I really did miss them.
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Laura Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Thanks Sandy and you’re right, paying off my debt and then taking a break was a great reward and now I feel ready to tackle the next freedom goal. It has been a little strange not having a paycheck as I’ve always worked, but the benefits outside of the money have been priceless!
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Congrats on making such a big decision! Good luck!
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Laura Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Thanks Kelly
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This is so exciting Laura. I completely understand that you needed a bit of a reprieve after attacking your consumer debt. I’m pushing that (consumer debt ditching) boulder uphill right now, and the only thing that keeps me going is that the end is in sight.
And that’s before I even look at my $180,000 mortgage debt. Bleck.
I can’t wait to see you attack your mortgage debt with the same intensity as you smashed your consumer debt!
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Laura Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@Jenny| It gets hard when you’re getting near to the end…probably because you want it gone sooo very much!
We have similar mortages (our is $184k approx) and possibly similar time frames?
PS. Can’t attack like before because I ditched the corporate job, lol, but can still attack none the less
Lets do this!!
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Thanks Exe…you’re progress has inspired me!
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this was probably a hard decision for you. I have been looking for more work myself. prices are going up here for everything. take care.
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Laura Reply:
June 5th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Hi Denise. I thought long and hard about it because I’ve loved being at home, but I can’t shake the feeling that financially we need to be making more progress, so it’s back to work I go. I’m hoping for about 20 hours a week, no more corporate stuff, that I can’t bear to do!
I hope you find something that’s right for you.
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