I miss the life I had when my children were little. We did not have much, we lived in a house that was barely 900 square feet, but my kids had what they needed, they attended the religious school we wanted for them, took a nice vacation every year and I was able to stay home to care for them. We were super happy. I know I'm a little melancholic today (after watching all of those little ones coming to my house for candy). I've come to the realization that more is not always better. Why didn't we stay in the small house (that was paid for) with low taxes? Instead, we bought this nice house, paying double the taxes and a $250,000 loan and a $2200 mortgage payment (taxes and insurance included). I hate to say it, but we fell for the trap of keeping up with the Jones's.
Thanks for listening, this site is like going for therapy.
I do agree, it is nice to have a paid for house!
We kept our small 900 sf house as a rental and plan to return to it when our nest is empty. We live in a big house, too ($283K owed and $1750 payment). I wish we hadn't move to this big of a house - the small one was too small, but a medium house would have been fine.
The kids are still home, we have an 18 and 14 year old. If we could find a house downsize we would. But until now we cannot find a house for less than what we paid for ours that is worthy of consideration. I keep looking though. You did the right thing staying in your small home. Thanks to all who gave me their input.
You sound like me. 5 years ago we had a cute little cape cod we had built for us...hardwood floors, tile in the bathroom and a beautiful kitchen and a mortgage payment of 700 per month. Now we pay 1900 a month for a big house but I swear it's not as nice. I think it's because I am so stressed living here. In the old house I stayed at home with the kids and life was very relaxed...now it's not. I would love to sell but in this economy and in my community it isn't going to happen for many years.
Well, it's better learning that lesson than never learning it at all. I hope your situation improves.
I am so glad i didn't take on more mortgage, and more house, than i could handle as a single woman 13 years ago. In fact, i played it so conservative and saved for so long, living in my sister's basement, that i was able to put down 45% in cash. So my mortgage is a very manageable $775 a month, plus property taxes.
Still, as much as i love this house, i still consider it a money pit. I regret not having been able to sell it and move to a condo 3 years ago, but my relationship ended and i had unexpected surgery right before the real estate market began to crash, so i took the house off the market.
I would still like to sell whenever the market recovers, hopefully within the next 5 years. I think i could really save a lot more money living in a condo. My property taxes are killing me, plus the many, many expenses of owning a home on one income.