Today is the end of a very long journey, one that I didn't want to take when I first set off in 1976. When I signed on the dotted line I felt as though I was signing my life away. That it would be the end of freedom as I know it. I felt that I would be carrying a massive burden for the rest of my life, that it would weigh ,me down, and I would be trapped with no way out.
But now, 37 years later, I have found the way out, I carry that burden no more, it has gone. Now I have my freedom back, and it feels pretty darn good. Chuffed? You bet I am. Chuffed that I stuck it out, chuffed that I worked hard, and chuffed that I never missed one payment in all that time. Today, I made my very last mortgage payment, and the house I sit in belongs to me.
I don't care that nearly everything in it is second hand. I don't care that my furniture is old fashioned. I don't care that I don't have a massive TV or a leather sofa. I don't care that the chair I am sitting on was given to me. I don't care that I wear second hand clothes, or cut my own hair, or buy out of date food. I don't chuffin care that my house is ex council, and not in the posh street on the other side of the village. It is my house.
These walls that could do with a lick of paint are my walls. This roof which has a few tiles missing is my roof. The old tumbledown garage which needs updating is my garage. The crumbling driveway with weeds poking through, is my driveway. The light that doesn't work in the kitchen, the guttering that leaks when it rains, the bath that isn't sealed properly around the edge, the shower that doesn't work, the toilet seat that is broken, the single glaze window which needs replacing, the front porch where the wood is rotting, and the small window in the outside store that is about to fall out, are all minor details that I can live with. They may or may not get fixed, I don't care.
Tonight I am proud to sit in my house.
Lots of love, Ilona xxx
Congrats Ilona, you've done it....paid off your mortgage. It must be a great feeling....good for you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I achieved this earlier this year and it's a wonderful feeling, so I'm very happy for you. In my case, it's the bathroom light that doesn't work, the porch door is disintegrating, and the central heating has ceased to work. But who cares? It's MY house! May you enjoy your house for many long happy years.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I've been reading your blog for several months and I really like it!
Congratulations! That is a very big achivement. May you be happy and content.
ReplyDeleteThat's great. I always thinks it's funny now - most people are desperate to pay off their mortgages but people like me are just desperate to be given one - and I mean enough of one to actually buy a house now. I remember you saying when we went for that walk that you had about a year to go - you were spot on :)
ReplyDeleteFeels just great doesn't it? Maybe that payment money could now be put back and saved for the needed repairs...
ReplyDeleteI think that's wonderful! Congratulations! Martha from Kansas
ReplyDeleteWow I don't know when I have heard of anyone paying one off, amazing! Happy Times!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post xx well done YAY!!
ReplyDeleteOh, well done, Ilona. Having done it myself, I can truly appreciate the sense of freedom & accomplishment you feel. Cheers...JudeinOz
ReplyDeleteWell done Ilona, it's been well worth it now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe an extra trip this year!
Eilidh
So very happy for you! We paid off our own mortgage earlier this year, primarily by moving and downsizing. Never again! It is such a wonderful feeling - Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ilona - if you feel like it you will be able to use your 'mortgage payment' money to fix up some things - or not! One of my neighbours paid off her mortgage earlier this year and has big plans to save up and knock a wall out now. Maybe you should spend it all on Magnums.....
ReplyDeleteThat's bloody fantastic ! I am chuffed for you.
ReplyDeletewell done, we paid our last payment last Friday. Does indeed feel good to fully own your home.
ReplyDeleteGill
BIG congratulations, Ilona! For many years, I used to say I owned the front step and anything that was broken, and the bank owned the rest. Making that final mortgage payment is a marvelous feeling!
ReplyDeleteWell done, that's wonderful news!
ReplyDeletexx
You go, girl!
ReplyDeletesweetiesuzy@aol.com
FABULOUS, Ilona!! Congratulations.I'm going to toast you with some bread pudding (no champagne!)
ReplyDeleteJane x
Good for you Ilona, you have every reason to feel proud of yourself and people will wonder what you are smiling at as you pass ;)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Ilona. I paid my mortgage off a long time ago. Money experts advised against it at the time because interest rates were high and as the mortgage dwindled down, you were better off to invest the money and keep paying the mortgage, but I wanted to own the house. And I'm glad I did. I never refinanced, just kept plugging along. It's a good feeling.
ReplyDeleteMaggie from USA
Congratulations! Praise God!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It's a great feeling to own a house outright. We paid off our house a couple of years ago and we celebrated. Never thought I'd see the day. Hope you keep enjoying your house every day for a long time. You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It's one of the best feelings in the world! Hope you enjoy many happy years living in your home.
ReplyDeleteHey Ilona, congratulations on paying off your mortgage. You deserve to enjoy what you have worked hard for. It must be such a great feeling knowing that it is yours.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!! I think it was the happiest day of my life and nothing in the world can make me risk it or lose it!
ReplyDeleteVery well done! That is such a big achievement, Queen of your own world, answerable to nowt! Congratulations Ilona.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from
Red the Elder
Congratulations! What a great day for you.
ReplyDeleteMy house is falling down too MQ - but I have to pay a fortune to live here and the landlord won't do anything !
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic, well done you! I cant wait to get where you are, hopefully very soon :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Maybe you can continue to save that money and get a few jobs done?
ReplyDeleteCarolx
Congratulations Ilona - I'm like you I paid a mortgage on my own but as a single parent and without having anyone else to support or help with any of those mortgage payments and it is a great feeling to think that it now belongs to me - for weeks after the mortgage had finished it would hit me - gosh I own this and the land and mine is a little 160 years old cottage- nothing large or special - enjoy the feeling ilona - youve worked hard for it xxx
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post! You deserve to be very proud.:)
ReplyDeleteWell done! We paid ours about ten years ago, having now lived here for thirty three years. It's home, I can't imagine living anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteStarted reading your accounts a few days ago. Very interesting. Those inspirational stories are quite humbling.
Best wishes,
Angela
Congratulations. Well Done. Pure inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDianne - Hereford
Well done, it's the best feeling! Here's to second-hand furniture, home-cut hair and a debt-free life, what could be better? xxx
ReplyDeleteWell done, Ilona - I hope you have many more happy years in your house.
ReplyDeletewell done girl! x
ReplyDeleteIt's a brilliant feeling, isn't it. By some kind of happy synchronicity we paid off our mortgage and celebrated silver wedding, daughter's 21st and son's 18th in the same year.
ReplyDeleteOh HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you Ilona! Savour that wonderful feeling, you did it!
ReplyDeleteSft x
Hello Ilona from House fairy
ReplyDeleteA BIG WELL DONE:) what an achievement.
Make a plaque or rosset with your crafting and stick it on your wall.
Have a party.
Congratulations
Congratulations. I'm at the other end , I am just a year into my new mortgage but I hope to overpay as & when money allows. How do you plan to spend your mortgage money ; save/renovate or party ? You've earned it so enjoy regardless xx
ReplyDeletegood work ilona...fab
ReplyDeleteenjoyxxxxxxxx
BIG congratulations to you!!! Each time you close that front door, you can do so with the peace of mind that your home is yours. Well done to you! I've just started overpaying my mortgage and have a way to go yet but can't wait for that day to come! Louise xx
ReplyDeleteOh well done Ilona - what an achievement paying it off on your own. Great feeling isn't it. Best wishes Sandy in NZ
ReplyDeleteGreat feeling Ilona, certainly an achievement!
ReplyDeleteWell Done YOU are A STAR. What a girl, Very proud of you.
ReplyDeleteIvy
Congratulations Ilona. It's a wonderful feeling to be mortgage free! Now that you no longer have to pay the mortgage.. I would consider getting the guttering and roof tiles fixed... leaks can cause damage that you might not be able to live with and would cost an arm and a leg to fix... a stitch in time as they say but I am sure you know all that. Enjoy being Queen of your castle!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes ilhona, what an achievement x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteLooking fwd to reading all about your plans for the future; you are the most independent and "git 'er done" person I know : )
Chris
It's official - you are a Happy Home Owner! That is often said tongue-in-cheek but you seem to be the real thing today. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnne in Pennsylvania
I'm so happy for you. Congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats MQ! Being without that monthly payment seemed very "freeing" when I achieved same. Extra cash for more fun excursions perhaps? :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing achievement, Ilona. That must feel incredible. Like you our house has loads that needs doing to it, but we can afford the repayments and we are currently overpaying while interest rates are low and hoping to have it payed off completely within 5 years. We have no other debts and it will be wonderful when we can finally say we are completely debt free.
ReplyDeleteWell done you! :o)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
ReplyDeletePleased as punch for you. Very well done! You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWhat happy news! Everyone here is rejoicing with you!
ReplyDeleteJan
Yeah!
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
A big woohoo for you ;)
ReplyDelete( Danneke here)Maybe the roof tiles should be first on the repair list, I am sure you will have bilder pal who can do the roof at a cheap rate for a friend or even a barter job, Maybe an extra little treat for the kitties now you are IN THE MONEY and mortgage free bracket, its a lovely feeling when you know the property is yours alone. Determination pays off in the end, you are living proof of that my friend. Well done
ReplyDeleteWe were so delighted to know you are mortgage free now. It is a wonderful achievement and you deserve to sit back now and congratulate yourself.
ReplyDeleteWendy (Wales)
Well done Ilona but remember to maintain your house properly - then there will be less problems in the future.
ReplyDeleteJane
Well done Ilona- it's the best feeling once you know your home really is all yours!
ReplyDeleteArilx
Hi Ilona, Congratulations, you now own the house instead of it owning you.
ReplyDeleteOne less thing to worry about and a bit extra money in your pocket.
Dave.
Yay! Well done you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ilona, and well done! It's a good feeling to know that no matter what, the roof over your head is yours :)
ReplyDeleteHow joyful to be free of mortgage, whilst you are still young enough to enjoy the feeling!! Well done you, feel very jealous as we still have another 3 years to complete ours, but i the meantime, I just had to send you wishes and congrats as I know you are feeling so good about being free... good on ya*** janzi
ReplyDeleteWow, that's fantastic Ilona, well done, and never a payment missed. You truly are the proud owner of all you survey. Sleep well tonight in YOUR house.
ReplyDeleteSo very pleased for you Ilona ~ you should be VERY proud of yourself!!!
ReplyDeleteWell done Ilona ~ very, very pleased for you! Thank you for inviting us all into your life & mortgage free home ;-)
ReplyDeleteWecome to the club! Hard work does pay off!
ReplyDeleteWhat can I possibly add to what everyone else has put already? Great news! You have every right to be chuffed.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Enjoy each task—it is all for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations x
ReplyDeleteWell done, Ilona. I am so happy for you but also concerned about that roof and windows! As someone else said, "a stitch in time...".
ReplyDeleteWell done Ilona, a big congratulations, and thank you for sharing so much of your journey with us, and for teaching us a more frugal way of living.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your home, and God Bless. X
Well done x You have every right to feel proud
ReplyDeleteCongratulation and from all the photos I've seen, I think your house is very comfortable and homely. You own it, and it's yours!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, wishing you many happy and healthy years in your home! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I can't imagine how great you must feel, I'm still waiting to get started!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
ReplyDeleteAs someone living in an apartment longing for her own home, this brought tears to my eyes....so happy for you and your kittys! Jan
ReplyDeleteCongrats Ilona! It has to be a good feeling of achievement - enjoy it! Ex-council houses tend to be a lot better built than some hastily-built new homes anyway.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was kid hearing about "mortgage burning parties" where you would burn your final payment stub/booklet outside with friends and dance around. I don't know if they still do this but I think you should party in some way, Ilona!
ReplyDeleteNancy from Northern California
Congratulations!
ReplyDeletebarbara (in Tennessee)
Ilona, just catching up with your blog. This post has brought a little tear (of happiness) to my eye. So very, very proud of you Linda xxxx
ReplyDelete