How I Paid Off My $425,000 Mortgage in 8.5 Years Before 40

I was one of those people who couldn’t wait to get through the milestones of life. I wanted the degree, the career, the marriage, the home—checklists that made me feel secure. But more than anything, I didn’t want to spend the next 30 years tied to a mortgage. The idea of sending in payments for decades made me restless. I wanted financial freedom, and I knew it was possible if I made a plan and stuck with it.

Watch My Story:

I also shared my debt-free journey on YouTube. If you prefer video, here’s a quick overview before diving into the full story:

Where It Started

I bought my home at 29 years old with a $425,000 mortgage. At the time, I was working in human resources, earning about $50,000 a year. My husband was a JROTC instructor, and although our incomes were consistent, neither of us experienced significant salary growth. We received modest annual raises and cost-of-living adjustments, but what really gave us flexibility was our combined VA disability income.

Growing up, I didn’t come from a household that preached debt freedom. But my mother was incredibly disciplined with her finances. She managed money well, helped her sisters when they needed it, and encouraged me to take a personal finance course in high school. That class was my introduction to financial literacy, and it shaped the way I think about money: intentionally, not impulsively.

Building the Strategy

When I say I created a plan, I really mean it. We had multiple loans—a boat and two cars—so I tackled them first. Once one loan was gone, I rolled its payment into the next. Once the car payments were paid off, the money went straight to the boat loan. By the time all three were paid off, we had freed up thousands of dollars a month.

That’s when the mortgage snowball began. Our monthly mortgage was approximately $1,200, but instead of just making the minimum payment, we tripled it. Between our regular payment and principal-only payments, we were consistently putting $3,600 a month toward the house.

You can find out more about my journey where I discussed it in Military Families Magazine in an article titled Veterans Build Debt-free life after the military.

We didn’t pause investing—though, truthfully, we weren’t investing heavily yet. What we did sacrifice was travel. I had always dreamed of visiting Paris, taking cruises, and exploring the world. But instead, we stayed closer to home. Vacations meant visiting family in Georgia and Florida, not taking international adventures. It wasn’t deprivation, but it was delayed gratification.

Staying Motivated

Our original goal was to pay off the mortgage in 10 years. But as we stuck with the plan, it became clear we could do it faster. There were no moments of burnout. I was laser-focused, and my husband was completely aligned with me. Knowing we were united in this goal kept the momentum going.

In October 2020, just eight and a half years after signing the mortgage, I made the final payment. Relief is the only word that captures the feeling. For me, it was peace. For my husband, it meant freedom—he retired at the end of that school year, a decision made possible because we no longer had a mortgage looming over us.

We didn’t throw a big party or buy something extravagant. Our celebration was quiet but meaningful: in December, we traveled to Antigua, a trip we had already planned but could now fully enjoy with no debt hanging over us.

Life After the Mortgage

Being mortgage-free changed everything. Financially, we created a true annual budget for the first time, assigning every dollar a specific purpose: travel, dining out, investing, and savings. With no debt, we’ve opened a brokerage account, invested more aggressively, and built up high-yield savings. Emotionally, the stress melted away. The mortgage had always been the biggest anchor. Without it, we live lighter.

Now, we travel regularly—four times a year on average, with two domestic and two international trips. We’ve visited St. Lucia, Jamaica, Antigua, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, and we’re already planning future trips. We also travel more frequently to see family in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland, sometimes by plane instead of car. That flexibility is priceless.

My career in HR is still thriving, and I’ve accelerated my retirement target to 55. My husband, now fully retired, enjoys his time in the community and with his fraternity. Paying off the mortgage early gave us both options—and options are the real wealth.

Was It Worth It?

Some people argue that investing instead of paying off a 4% mortgage would have been a smarter move. Looking back, I don’t regret it for a second. At the time, we weren’t seasoned investors, and I valued certainty over potential gains. The peace of mind, the freedom it created for my husband’s retirement, and the ability to now invest without debt—all of it made the choice worth it.

You can even read more about my journey in Military Families Magazine in an article titled “Veterans Build Debt-free Life After the Military,” where I shared how our decision to prioritize debt freedom shaped the next chapter of our lives.

My Advice

If you’re considering paying off your mortgage early, the most important step is alignment—especially if you’re married. You both need to agree on the goal and the sacrifices it will take. Then, compare your options. If the return on investments looks stronger than your mortgage interest rate, it may make sense to invest. But if what you want most is financial peace, then focusing on your mortgage can be powerful.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your priorities: retirement, kids’ education, family goals, or simply the relief of being debt-free.

For me, paying off our mortgage is directly connected to my broader wealth journey and the philosophy I now bring to Harris Financial Coaching. I started my business because my mentor told me, “You have a story to tell. You’re a 40-year-old Black woman who is completely debt-free—and people need to see what’s possible.”

If I could do it, with a modest income, VA benefits, and a lot of discipline, so can you. The path to financial freedom isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency, commitment, and the courage to make decisions that align with your goals.

Call to Action

Want to create your own debt-free story? At Harris Financial Coaching, I help clients develop personalized plans to pay off debt, build savings, and align their finances with their goals. Schedule a Financial Clarity Call today and start your path to financial freedom.