I guess I'm a little bothered by the foreclosure crisis. Everyone seems to blame banks and mortgage lenders for extending loans to those who weren't truly qualified. While I don't doubt this happened, and there's some liability there, whatever happened to personal responsibility---knowing what you can afford, and NOT going out and buying a house that is just way beyond your means.
I don't totally lack compassion, and there are other reasons for foreclosure. People lose their jobs, etc., and I really feel bad for people in those situations, but like with credit card debt, people don't seem to save for stuff anymore, they just go out and go into monstrous debt.
I have a modest house...not tiny, not huge. It's mine :) It is our first home, (a "starter home"). I always thought we'd eventually get something huge and glorious looking. The longer I live here, the more I realize that I will likely spend the rest of my life in this house. I love it, and it's "home". Would I like more space? Sure I would, but not at the expense of stressing over payments or going deeply into debt to do it.
I know our income, and what we can afford. I also know several people who have homes that far exceed what they can afford. I never want to be married to my mortgage.
Now I'll mosey on down off my soapbox :)
I agree with you and you described my house to a T. You even have my thoughts on life and that is how I managed to get a early retirement.
