When Jesse was 25, he wrote down a goal on a notecard: to live in a paid-off house by the time he was 30. He thought that owning his house free and clear would make things feel different, give him a sense of security and freedom. At the end of the day, though, the mortgage really wasn't that big of a deal -- it was just another bill to pay. There was less satisfaction to owning his home outright than he thought there would be, and some regret when he realzied he could have invested the extra mortgage payments somewhere else and made far more return.

You may not have the same outlook on home ownership as Jesse, and that's ok! Jesse encourages you to map out not only the mathematical pros and cons of big financial goals like paying off a mortgage early, but also consider the emotional impact of the decision. Also, leave yourself some space to change your mind in the future, like Jesse did about paying off mortgages early. Personal finance is always a mixture of math and emotions, and where you fall on the spectrum is, well, personal!

Watch The Jesse Mecham Show on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@jessemechamshow

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Follow YNAB on social media:

Facebook: @ynabofficial

Instagram: @ynab.official

Twitter/X: @ynab

Tik Tok: @ynabofficial

Tickets to YNAB Fan Fest 2025 are on sale now! Coming to San Diego, Minneapolis, and NYC:

YNAB.com/events