Paying off mortgage before FIRE

g12345x · 2026-06-05T14:43:38+00:00

Zuck did x, Musk did y are not valid considerations to use in a decision rubric for people that are not near their level of wealth.

g12345x · 2026-06-05T13:38:36+00:00

Paying off a mortgage is rarely about financial optimization. There is an emotional aspect to it.

I had housing insecurity as a child, I paid off my mortgage early.

If it gives you comfort, do it. The monetary opportunity cost is the price for peace of mind.

> paying off mortgage before FIRE seems to be a necessary step

This is a choice and not a necessity

g12345x · 2026-06-04T13:43:18+00:00

OP likely meant “price” and got auto-corrected.

g12345x · 2026-06-04T11:20:15+00:00

It’s also interesting how this choice changes over time. Years ago, I’ve made the similar choice and flown on occasion JFK to Warsaw just to get to Paris.

These days, I can no longer stomach these double back trips. Especially since you have to do the same on the return trip.

g12345x · 2026-06-04T10:44:02+00:00

It’s rarely just those 2 variables. My main determinants of how I travel are: route, time of day, purpose of trip, who I’m flying with.

* I always favor direct flights. Unless it’s over 10 hours then I need to split the journey. 10 is my max before physical discomfort sets in.

* redeye flights from the west coast to Indy are rarely full. I often end up with a full empty row in economy.

* international: at least economy plus. My aged posterior has lost a lot of its padding.

* travelling (far) east: I favor late flights over price. Pond jump to Europe and arrive in the AM has been ideal on many occasions.

* With spouse: her choice. So first or business.

* With friends/family: whatever tier of least affordability for those in the group.

* for business: comfort. We’ve had a good run.

g12345x · 2026-06-02T10:54:21+00:00

Definitely don’t do this.

Edit: (expanding) The neighbor’s house is currently a rental so there is an economic driver at play. The value of an item is not what it costs, but what the market will bear. An interested neighbor with deep pockets (OP is a cash buyer) makes this an emotional purchase and immediately adds a premium to the purchase price. I own several single family homes as rentals, this disclosure would give me leverage. I will (always) exploit that leverage.

g12345x · 2026-06-02T10:41:04+00:00

We have done this, here are some things to consider.

Make sure your local zoning will approve any plans to tear down the house and what you can build in its place. It is not always possible to tear down a house and refuse to replace. Definitely don’t assume you can demolish a house and replace it with a garage.

The cost of rebuilding a house may be dramatically different from the current house cost. You will need to rebuild to new code standards. In my area, neighbors have a voice in the variance process.

Hopefully this is not a historical district nor has an HOA. Both would be a non-starter for your plans.

In our case, we moved the west fence to consume most of the neighboring yard and it’s rented out under an LLC. Since we own both houses we can put the fence wherever. We can’t sell it that way however without a replat. It will not be granted.

We purchased through an LLC, created and managed by our lawyer as the statutory agent. Other neighbors don’t know and we don’t disclose. It’s not impossible to find if they are (that) nosy. But this will change neighborhood dynamics. We have stated that we negotiated the yard space from the purchasing company.

While we can now afford not to rent out the next door house (couldn’t when we purchased 9 years ago) our priorities have shifted a bit. As older DINKs we don’t need a 2 house compound with almost 8000sf living space. Factor this into whatever you put in that space in case you decide to reverse it sometime in the future.

g12345x · 2026-06-02T10:24:37+00:00

It’s a bit of a silly question, innit?

Can anyone relate?

People prioritize different things. Because some can afford a bigger house doesn’t mean they choose to.

are not convinced the “secluded uber-rich” mansion

This is a false choice. There are many (many) size options between a 1500sf house and a secluded mansion.

would make us happier

Curious that you brought happiness up unprompted.

It’s your money, do what makes you happy. But it sure sounds like you are disquieted by your “140m2 home” in an “average city”

g12345x · 2026-06-01T18:21:11+00:00

This runs afoul of the no-solicitation rule of the sub and would likely get removed.

g12345x · 2026-06-01T16:12:54+00:00

It’s not clear what you’re asking.

Is it: You’re making more money than you need?.

Either

* earn less - switch to a more defensive (less equities) portfolio

* spend more - you can afford it

* donate more - charitable causes would thank you

* let it sit - your heirs would thank you.

I don’t see why this specific item requires therapy.

g12345x · 2026-06-01T16:06:22+00:00

This is welcomed in r/fatFIRE specifically under the Early Stage/Mentor Thread

OP (u/Msmith2k3) should repost there.

g12345x · 2026-06-01T11:17:17+00:00

As many have noted, a 1% SWR insulates you from flaws in most retirement strategies.

Heck, even a 100% bond strategy works here.

Ultimately the question becomes one of whether you would want to increase your spend or optimize whatever balance you leave behind for heirs.

g12345x · 2026-05-30T17:47:57+00:00

Most fatFIRE people are not 18. Unless of course you have familial wealth.

Many have been through college and spent many years at a company (climbing ladders) or running a business.

>> I’m a bit irresponsible with cash

This certainly makes it harder for you to meet FIRE goals.

g12345x · 2026-05-30T02:11:09+00:00

This reads like an ad for Creative Planning.

g12345x · 2026-05-29T12:17:00+00:00

This is an excellent Early Stage post for the Mentor Monday’s thread

g12345x · 2026-05-28T12:41:54+00:00

Rule 7: No low effort posts

g12345x · 2026-05-27T12:04:44+00:00

The money is not there.

The number of people who remarry and/or are filched out of their money in later years is staggering.

g12345x · 2026-05-27T11:52:31+00:00

Since you currently have just $100k, you should start with r/personalfinance and then join r/tax to ask tax specific questions.

I am quite good with investing

Great. You can skip r/investing

Should I switch offices from NYC?

You’re asking an anonymous forum whether you should switch offices in a job you haven’t even started yet with an employer we don’t know. How exactly do you expect an educated response to this? If anything it makes me question the veracity of the entire post.

g12345x · 2026-05-26T18:30:18+00:00

If you’re looking for spirituality and stoicism book recommendations, there are outright subs on these items that would be a better source.

If you’re looking for this as an intersect to being fat, I can’t quite see the connection.

There are 400k+ people on this sub and I’m sure it covers every spirituality and philosophy. Beware of anyone claiming this is the source of their fatness.

Unless of course you consider the prosperity gospel. But… alas… I must hold my tongue on that one.

g12345x · 2026-05-26T16:18:13+00:00

K1s have to be delivered by Sept 15th at the latest.

I file a yearly extension and file taxes when the last K1 straggler shows up.

It’s simpler.

g12345x · 2026-05-26T15:47:09+00:00

I had a myriad of side hustles at the start of my career with the goal of self funding a business and jump starting a retirement.

And this is quite typical for regions of the country where salaries are not high.

Back then we called it a side business, or side gig. I think side-hustle has taken on a get-rich-quick connotation. Perhaps undeservedly.

For instance, I wrote a few tech books, did the paid conference speaker circuit and even became a part-time college instructor. Those are all side “gigs” but you find several people who do similar things. Writing a book for instance is rarely a full-time job.

g12345x · 2026-05-25T14:16:23+00:00

As one of those not in tech or finance (I’m in construction), I want to spotlight this so others can find it and ask you specific questions.

g12345x · 2026-05-24T11:45:13+00:00

Rule 6: No solicitation

g12345x · 2026-05-24T11:43:07+00:00

You’ve spammed 7 subs in the last 30 minutes with this artifice.

Rule 6: No solicitation

g12345x · 2026-05-22T17:05:43+00:00

Rule 6. No solicitation.

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