Weighing the pros and cons of switching to a 15-year mortgage

But I wonder, does anyone actually stick to those buckets long term, or does real life just blow up the whole system once in a while?

Honestly, I’ve tried the separate “house fund” thing, and it’s worked… until my car decided to throw a tantrum and eat up half the savings. Real life definitely has a way of messing with even the best plans. But having those buckets—even if they get a little mixed up—still helps me feel more in control. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than scrambling every time something breaks. Don’t beat yourself up if things get messy sometimes. That’s just how it goes.