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?
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:
An Encore Voyage 
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 !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boy is that the truth! It’s been a lotta years since I slammed down a phone! Thanks for reminding me!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congrats! The warm feeling in the heart is every bit as good as a big celebration in a debt-free house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. Downright shame….don’t know how they do it and carry on..they’ll be striking the word retire out of the dictionary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! It is such a great feeling to take true ownership of your house away from your bank! It seems like there should have been something to burn in celebration… oh well, at least enjoy your inner satisfaction and the wine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you noticed that I appear to have wine or cocktails in lots of my post photos? Hmmmm….anything for a celebration, right? LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Lynn and Jeremy! A warm glow within and the ease of being debt free sounds perfect!
Donna
http://www.retirementreflections.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Donna! There will be so many better experiences to save for!
LikeLike
I love it! Let the wine flow!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
the thing that scares me is no paper title to the property these days – ripe for a fraud… well done on getting rid of the debt though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It scared us, too! You can be dang sure we printed and copied the email that said the payment had been made! Geez!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, debt free is debt free, paper or not 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Party or not, paper or electronically… Job well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations. Being debt-free is a celebration every day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, DAUGHTER! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person