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Bostonerimus1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81928241#Comment_81928241

I never said that financial independence was the only thing in life, but a bigger mortgage will still delay financial independence. It's important to understand the implications of large purchases. So is it really necessary to buy the bigger home. If you need more bedrooms for a bigger family is renovating your existing home an option etc. One big money sink is leasing a car or selling after a few years rather than driving the same car for a decade or more. And then there are the monthly subscriptions that mount up. The best decision I made was to get rid of all my streaming services. Spend your money how you want, but think about it first.

LHW99

We did take a larger mortgage mid-40's. It did delay FI, but it meant we could start/run a small business from home, and had an incredible place to live while the kids were growing up. No regrets here.

Bostonerimus1

I moved to a larger home in my mid 30s, but one that included a rental apartment and at a time when mortgage rates had fallen. Hence, my net mortgage payment was considerably less than on my previous home. I decided to make extra payments and had the mortgage paid off in 12 years which gave me a lot of financial security and freedom.

HedgehogRulez

we’re about to move from a £380k semi to a £900k detached (both 46 with two teens). YOLO

MallyGirl

we were mortgage free in our late 30s but felt that we had one more big move in us. Daughter was 4 at the time. We are still there 20 years later and have no plans to downsize in retirement (but could if that turned out to be the best option). It is a much easier house to live in (now!) and great for child / pets.