WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS OF SWITCHING TO A 15-YEAR MORTGAGE
I hear you on the emergency fund dilemma. Before I switched to a 15-year, I made sure we had at least six months’ worth of expenses set aside—felt like a lot, but with older systems in the house, it’s saved us more than once. If you’re prioritizing upgrades like insulation or a furnace, I’d say keep that cushion as untouched as possible. Life happens, and repairs always seem to pop up right after a big financial commitment. Three months might work for some, but I sleep better with a bit more buffer.
WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS OF SWITCHING TO A 15-YEAR MORTGAGE
That six-month cushion really does make a difference, especially if your house is older—ours had a surprise roof leak two months after we refinanced. Curious, though: has anyone here ever dipped into their emergency fund for something more “luxury” than necessity, like a kitchen upgrade or backyard redo? Or is that totally taboo?