Not a Burning…More of a Fizzle!

I remember it quite well.  I think it was during my high school years, or perhaps early college.  I can remember my dad being so excited because they were going to have a “Mortgage Burning Party!”  Yep, it was a big damned deal back then.  A fire was lit in the fireplace, this piece of paper was tossed in, and glasses were raised and toasts made to a bright future!  I can remember that my parents had invited all of their closest friends to the house – warm congratulations bubbled all around!

Jump ahead about four decades.   The last payment was made, and you’d think there’d be dancing in the streets and lots of hoopla!  We even have a little portable fire pit on the patio just for such an event.  Sounds like a great excuse for a celebration, no?

Patio fire pit 2

 

Except that it wasn’t…You see, in today’s digital age, funds were transferred electronically, and botta-bing, botta-boom – DONE!  No final paperwork, no actual mortgage arrived in the mail to be served up with the kindling…nuttin’!  Talk about anticlimactic!  After years and years, it was just sort of over.  And all we had to show for it was the knowledge that we are completely debt free.  And there’s a feeling something like this:

Yevgeniy Gradov - Unsplash

Photo credit : Yevgeniy Gradov – Unsplash
Cover photo: Josh Felise – Unsplash

Lynn

22 thoughts on “Not a Burning…More of a Fizzle!

  1. vanbytheriver

    Electronic or paper…congrats on the achievement. ☺ But you’re right. It’s not quite the same. It’s like trying to hang up angrily on the phone…pushing a small button will never be the same as the slam down !

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. dkmcl2

    Lol, Lynn! We had a party anyway. Any excuse, right? But, you and I may be some of the last to see the end of our mortgage payments within our life time! Dave 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Encore Voyage Post author

      Sad, but true, Dave. Doesn’t it make you kind of sad when you see these young people who are mortgaged up to their eyeballs, with payments on house, cars, boats, snowmobiles, RVs…I see “delayed or non-existent retirement!”

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  3. Life With The Top Down

    I remember when my parents paid their house off too…it was certainly a wonderful memory like your parents. If I can’t have that feeling maybe I’ll stand outside a branch or two shouting “Free at Last Free at Last Thank God Almighty We Are Free At Last!”

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Run Wright

    I love the post. I love that quote about the warm glow within. I’ve paid off bills and felt a little of that kindling myself so I can imagine what it must feel like to know you own your home.
    Congrats, MOM.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Terri Webster Schrandt

    My mortgage is far from being paid off, plus we got a HELOC to add on to the master BR. My mortgage payment is still so low, it’s lower than renting and that is saying something here in Cal. Trust me, when everything is paid off, there will probably be a block party if I’m not too old, LOL!

    Liked by 1 person

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