It isn't really the mortgage, it's having a place that's yours for your family - if we were renting, it would be as paramount to pay the rent. The disadvantage

It isn't really the mortgage, it's having a place that's yours for your family - if we were renting, it would be as paramount to pay the rent. The disadvantage of a mortgage is that you generally have a longer term investment, which makes you less mobile - although the truth is you have more assets and it's a liquidity problem (you'd have to sell your house to get anything out of it). The risk there is that you'd have to sell in a down market if something bad happens to your job (or you, if you're the breadwinner). There are other breaks you get - tax and otherwise. I never realized how rigged the system was until I bought a house. For example, if you're a homeowner, you get a massive break on car insurance. The interest is tax deductible on your mortgage. You learn a little about money, and pretty soon you're negotiating harder for better deals - you become the ultimate ballbuster. You...Are...Dad. YMMV.