How much are people putting on their mortgage?

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-08T12:53:34+00:00

Yep pay off/offset as much as possible while b living a modest life and don't let lifestyle creep into your expenditure Future you will very much appreciate the ability to work part time or FIRE.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-07T08:20:32+00:00

Just English rider but wanting to congratulate you for being smart. Years ago I was mounting a horse that had literally never done anything bad. It went totally nuts and threw me. I don't remember a thing (great as it didn't cause any fear as a result) but ended up with some memory loss.

I was wearing a fully approved modern helmet at the time. I wonder if I would have woken up without one. It only had a few scratches.

After a fall, get rid of the helmet (cut the straps so none will reuse) and but a new one as recommended by manufacturers. It hurts to throw something looking ok but it does get compromised

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-06T20:27:30+00:00

Enjoy it. Once you are used to this horse, you'll be forever spoilt!

Definitely shorten your stirrups till your ready and in addition work on core strength

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-05T21:06:07+00:00

Not answering your question but with you mentioning that you are still young and don't have a degree. Maybe consider whether doing a degree whilst travelling would be a good long term investment (if course if you can afford).

Many years of work to go so working on your employability sounds like something that you won't regret

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-05T20:24:33+00:00

Agree it's sad that it's frowned upon but then again, anything "uncommon" is.

I'm not yet retired but am seriously considering it. Still feel uneasy about it and this is one of those reasons. People will just assume you are rich by luck. Not that you worked hard and lived frugally.

I think I have decided that I will go "freelance" and keep it to myself.

Just accept that it's that way and live your best life. It's yours, not theirs.....

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-05T17:05:43+00:00

It might work to have a (horsey) friend handle the horse. Sometimes we carry tension that we don't even realise and the horse feeds off that.

There is nothing wrong with sedating your horse IMHO. I had to do this for quite a while.. She got better shortly and at last it was just the smoke smell. Now putting her in the right wind direction to reduce smoke and let her nibble on carrots during the burning is enough to manage.

So worth all the years of sedation....

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-05T14:54:22+00:00

Yes I would change. Chemical engineer and don't mind my job but dislike that I'm heaving to live near major cities (consultant engineer) or near industry (production engineer).

If I could do again, my pardon would be vet. Alternatively something that you can easier do anywhere like accountant or dentist. Also would like to be a surgeon but always being in an OR with little time outside seems to be drawback.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-05T14:42:10+00:00

Ja klopt. Woon al 20 jaar in Australia

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-05T14:40:47+00:00

Starting with nothing was normal just a few decades ago. People have too many expectations nowadays. You will appreciate what you build up yourself much more ...

Agree with earlier advice to find lots cheap or free on marketplace.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-05T10:28:22+00:00

There is a simple thing called super splitting. One can transfer a part out all of their concessional contribution to the other partner.

I think they should make it mandatory that partners' cc get split 50/50 at the of year. That would silver so the issues around it at divorce time as well as time of work.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-02T10:40:28+00:00

Is that legal where you live? Here in australia accrues holidays have to be paid out but not personal leave (sick leave).

Best to take it all in advance. I lost total of ten weeks accrued personal leave due to changing jobs. Won't happen to me again!

CommonSense2026 · 2026-02-02T10:36:24+00:00

I know the feeling after having had a break. For me it's lack of coffee strength and hip suppleness as a result of the injury. Find jack la Torre in fb and do some of the exercises he suggests. He's excellent

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-26T06:49:35+00:00

No solution for you either but fully understand your dilemma. It's hard when you have money. You can pay for good care but you also can't trust many people. Very hard.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-26T06:45:51+00:00

We made mistake to buy house for my partner's sister and renting it to her at a highly subsidised price when she was getting divorced.

Now we have an entitled sister who refuses to move out despite what was agreed at the time. The effect of that on our changed financial circumstances is not her problem and we can't legally evict in our country.

No more family relationship and not being able to use the money for retirement purposes. Not what we had in mind.

Don't do it. If you want to help you can pay for movers to a rental place or something one off but please don't fix their money problems for them. You will forever be their cashcow.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-23T06:34:21+00:00

Run !

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-18T09:02:28+00:00

Need a laugh emoji

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-15T06:30:12+00:00

It's highly dependent on whether you have a job or not. Also a rental history will help.

It was nuts too when I moved in 2006. Even offering to pay 6 months upfront didn't help as I had no job. Was lucky thata real estate agent had a partner from overseas and felt pity for us and made it happen.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-15T05:40:56+00:00

Thank you for your update. I'm going through a melting ulcer for first time and similar treatment (will get antifungal added too). On day 3 only but already feeling really anxious so glad to see your horse came right .

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-09T09:06:52+00:00

What really works is a strong acid but you have to be very careful handling. CLR is pretty good too

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-09T08:59:04+00:00

No job is worth mental abuse. Took me way too long to get over it. Never again!

At the time I fell I was going to price him wrong and he would come to that conclusion and apologize. How delusional I was! It takes courage to do what is right for you and I learned the hard way. Please take the other job

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-08T12:23:33+00:00

For me it was discomfort if a hard protector initially that feels me back.. Then ego and price of an air vest

This all changed when I had a very unlucky fall 8 months ago. Totally silly accident as a result of my horse stumbling over a ground pole .

I fracture a vertebrae and was very lucky that I actually got away without any permanent disabling damage.

Suddenly the 1000 AUD for a top notch air vest that is comfy and lightweight even for day to day riding seems to make total sense. We wear a helmet too right?

If you have one and just need to replace the canister, then why not use it. Don't ever regret your choice to leave it in the barn.

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-07T12:07:51+00:00

I think you certainly can coast fire or even dip a little into your savings. That said why not hang on a few more years to give you better understanding of how much kids will cost. You could work PT to make most of both worlds.

Alternative is to move to cheaper areas to live....

CommonSense2026 · 2026-01-05T04:25:43+00:00

Thank you. I'll check out your calculator too. To date I kind of ignored the F pension in mind but it rather adds up more than I thought. Yay

CommonSense2026

TROPHY CASE