I could learn something from you. We’ve got less than 10% left to payoff the house. We too made “re-financing” mistakes along the way. Cars are paid off, but we keep them about 15 years. Had some issues recently that made us dip into savings and use the credit cards so we have to tighten up for a few months.
Like you, we had to learn the hard way, and those seem to be the lessons that stick with you the longest.
Congratulations on your financial independence.
Thanks. Wanted to be well positioned for retirement. Reaching 31 years with my current employer in December. Just turned 66. Hoping the market meltdown doesn't destroy my retirement AGAIN. I lost $500k in 2008 in a few days. I've recovered much of that, but really lost a decade of growth and what has been recovered has significantly less purchasing power than it did in 2008. Good luck in your efforts.