Special repayment, saving or consumption?

That's exactly what I think too. From 01.08., including special repayments, we will have €1,800 more available monthly – there is no better salary increase ;). Even though I didn't get the maximum financially, I am rid of the burden of debt and can actually sleep better, am independent, and can say that the house belongs to us. I have become much calmer, more relaxed, and more composed since I know that the house loan issue is almost resolved. That is more important to me than having debt and possibly making a little more return by investing the money somewhere – the debt, term, interest payments, etc. remain anyway and no one knows what the future holds.

And no, I don’t earn that much. Although above average, I am the sole earner – my wife only has a €450 mini-job. So if you divide my salary by 2, it’s okay, but not more. We simply bought at the right time and cheaply (the house is easily worth 4-5 times as much today) and stuck 100% to the financial plan as planned. I know enough people who have never made special repayments or increased the installment even though they intended to.

But yes, it’s not comparable to today’s times. I wouldn’t buy anymore either. I wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully if I had to think about repaying until retirement.

I totally agree, but for me this is the best case scenario. One does not assume that salaries might suddenly disappear, someone becomes unemployed, seriously ill, unable to work, or maybe even dies. The house of cards collapses at that moment or it becomes very, very difficult depending on the situation. We are exactly the opposite – worst case scenario – and that is why we wanted to get rid of the debt quickly. If something were to happen, at least no one has to worry financially – the house is paid off and the ongoing costs can be managed alone. In such a moment, those few percent returns don't help if you have a huge mountain of debt, no income, and the financial investment is not yet where it would have to be for a payout.

Then explain exactly how that works / worked? I somehow can't understand how you can be done with the loan before 40 as the sole earner…. How much did you borrow? How much do you pay off monthly?? Without concrete numbers, it's all smoke and mirrors.

I could have bought a semi-detached house for 375K 10 years ago… that would also be paid off now and I would be 40. But we decided to build and now have twice the 120 sqm and much more "luxury"… so it's not comparable… comparing apples and oranges.

It just keeps getting better, besides the presumably 5% special repayment you have so much money left over that you save on the side.

Took out 180K for it and have now paid it off in 9.5 years. Back then, we started with a monthly rate of 800,-, increased it to 1,200,- after almost 5 years