[LakeCleElum]

My parents grew up during the depression and I was raised to not buy anything till you could afford to pay cash. Then buy the cheapest thing you can and fix it daily.

The only debt in the last 48 years was a six month home loan waiting for a house I was selling to close. Then I paid off the next house. Current house and cabin all paid for in cash as I built. Never, ever a loan for a car, motorcycle, tractor, snowmobile, vacation, etc.

Going thru life w/o a mortgage gives one the opportunity and really save for an early retirement. People will say houses and college cost more now and it can't be done any more. Not sure, but wages were not very much back in those days.

Tadd is right, luck can throw a wrench in your plans at any time. If you have your health, you have everything.