How quickly should one pay off a house?

Maybe because he had nothing else to report. Sad, isn't it? But it's not about listing some completed lists.

Exactly. I don't want to do things that I can look back on when I'm 90. I want to do what currently brings me joy and happiness in life. That's why I fundamentally find the question "What do I want to look back on at 90?" wrong. By the way, it barely or not at all relates to my original question.

But finally stop (in your life) always thinking about money.

That's basically how we do it. Okay, with such big expenses like a car, I do think that for financial reasons alone, I wouldn't buy a Mercedes GLS fully equipped now, even though it's a nice car. But €120,000 + X is simply unreasonable for 4x 15 minutes of commuting per week. Or for vacation, of course, we don't want to spend €10,000 for 10 days. But within normal dimensions (let's say up to €4,000 / 5,000 per vacation) we don't pay attention to money, and neither in everyday life, e.g. in restaurants / pubs, at the cinema, the zoo, etc...

But that's not what this thread is about. Here in this thread, I explicitly want to discuss financial aspects, which otherwise play little or a very subordinate role in my life.

Make sure you feel good. No, not financially. But fundamentally. Quality of life is not achieved through merely spending money.

I also think that quality of life, at least when you have significantly more than enough, no longer depends on money. But that's not what this thread is about.

1. Both apply for the sabbatical year, exempt the kids from compulsory schooling for a year, and then live and work in New Zealand for 10-12 months or travel through California with a camper van.

That sounds terrible. For a variety of reasons. Naming them all would go beyond the scope (our families nearby, friends we see almost weekly, kids' friends, selling the house, ...)

2. Wife or husband goes part-time or quits and lives their dream: open a boutique or two-wheeled vehicle shop and be really productive. If it takes off, keep going!

I work 38 hours with 60% home office, that's something like part-time. Of course, while working from home you also do half the household, do the weekly shopping on Thursday during the lunch break in the home office, etc... and my wife works real part-time. We are both basically home shortly after 3 p.m. and free, and the household and shopping are already done. My wife even earlier partly. I used to have a side business too. Luckily also with a very good hourly wage, but that topic is really finished. Self-employed means self and always. I can fill my free time very well — no more work belongs there.

It’s not about "spending money".

See here:

Note 1: invest €2000 per month in retirement provision (including paying off house, ETFs and co). Note 2: invest €1000 per month in retirement provision (including paying off house, ETFs and co) and €1000 per month in quality of life. Note 3: invest €2000 per month in quality of life.

<- That’s what I was referring to. It explicitly says, spend an extra €1,000 or €2,000 per month. What changes then in the short term / long term? And I honestly wouldn’t know what else I could spend an extra €1,000 or €2,000 on every month.

And on the other hand, it’s clear to me, we earn well, but not excessively. Others manage to spend everything every month and even significantly more. But for what? I wouldn’t know how to spend another €1,000 or €2,000 and thereby increase my quality of life – although our spending profile is probably rather average…

See here: <- That is what I referred to. It explicitly says, spend 1,000 or 2,000 euros more per month. What changes then short-term / long-term? And I don’t even know what I could spend another 1,000 or 2,000 euros extra on every month. And on the other hand, it’s clear to me, we earn well, but not excessively. Others manage to spend everything every month and sometimes even significantly more. But on what? I wouldn’t know how to spend another 1,000 or 2,000 euros to increase my quality of life – even though our spending profile is probably rather average...

gave you some examples. You don’t have to sell the house if you stay abroad for a few months. Explore the world and travel. My husband and I are around 60. We have been traveling very intensively for about 20 years. And if we remember, it’s definitely not our working life, but experiences on trips.

Phew. Several remarks.

Level 1:
Whether it is financially worthwhile to pay off a house quickly depends on several factors.

1. Loan interest vs. returns from other investments (after taxes).

This can be calculated. If I assume a construction loan from before 2022, the likely outcome here will be "invest differently."

2. Salary development vs. interest costs
This is somewhat crystal ball gazing. As long as salary increases exceed the additional costs from interest, the house will become cheaper, since in this case inflation makes the house cheaper. (Thought experiment: paying a 2004 house price with today's salary. That is the effect of inflation. Only the interest makes it more complicated.)

If interest costs exceed salary increases, on the other hand, it becomes more expensive. Cue the subprime crisis, which was certainly an extreme case of this situation.

Level 2:
I have never experienced the gravestone question being so misunderstood. "Looking back at 90" means looking back at life, not postponing! The exact opposite is meant. Also, all the statements like "don't know what else to do with the money" go in this direction.

That’s great!
Then just pay it off as quickly as possible and that’s that!

However, I have doubts. I have worked long enough in palliative care. I have met many people who thought that way for a long time. They were then extremely unhappy about it. But those are my doubts.

No one can say with what life plan another person will be happy. My recommendation was meant to encourage people to think about it themselves and thus create clarity. Obviously, this was not necessary.

If it is that important to have the house paid off by 43, and it is possible, then do it.

The most important thing that has not yet been mentioned here is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain additional financing. Presumably, from the age of 65, changing banks is almost hopeless, and when extending, the financing bank probably also pushes for higher repayments. Apart from the fear that the pension will not be enough or will be spent on something else, the banks are probably afraid of the need for care or death with disputes over inheritance.

Apart from the fear that the pension will not be sufficient, or will be spent on something else, the banks are probably afraid of needing care or death with disputes over inheritance

No. The bank is exclusively interested in the Residential Property Loan Directive. Otherwise, there is no fear, as in retirement the security of the property usually exceeds the loan amount by far and with 99% financing the repayment rate is always below rent.