Many people have underestimated the destructive power of a 30-year mortgage.

A mortgage is like falling in love; at first, it's exciting and passionate.

"You're all in at the beginning, but as time goes by, talking about it becomes so dull," says friend Xiao E.

We asked her why she feels so deeply about it.

She said, "On the 10th of every month, I transfer 8,500 yuan to the bank card for my mortgage payment, and the remaining 💰 is my spending money for the month.

On the 15th, I pay the mortgage again. My salary is like a period, once a month, and it’s gone in about a week.

A few years ago, before Xiao E bought a house, she often dragged us shopping, buying clothes worth several thousand yuan each time. Winter branded down jackets cost 2-3K, and she paid with her card without a second thought.

Since buying the house, Xiao E says she has started living a life with no desires or pursuits. She hasn't bought new clothes in a long time.

Every month, she first calculates her mortgage, and only after that does she dare to spend.

Before buying a house, ordering takeout at noon started at 30 yuan and up, with a cup of American coffee in the morning and milk tea in the afternoon.

After getting the mortgage, she now cooks her own meals. When busy at work and too tired to cook, she orders good meals on Meituan.

The most she has ever said when paying her mortgage is: “I can't imagine if I could spend all the money I pay each month on myself. Just thinking about it makes me happy—how awesome would that be?”

We all agree, who wouldn’t?

Can't imagine how free life was before. Since being tied down by the mortgage, it feels like serving a life sentence.

Xiao E said, "A life sentence is at most 25 years, and I have to carry a 30-year mortgage."

I must have been crazy at the time, and Xiao E became more and more excited as she spoke.

We hurried to comfort her, "Don’t be emo."

“You’re lucky you’re not married or have kids,” we said.

Thinking about us, not only do we have to carry a 30-year mortgage, but we also have to raise kids—such hard work.

Doesn’t that make life suddenly seem brighter?

Xiao E said, "Now I have no energy to look for a partner."

Every day, she’s busy as a dog at work, and after work, she just wants to go home, lie down, and relax by watching dramas.

She said, "Next time I meet a guy I like, I’ve already thought of what to say to confess. Would you be willing to share the 30-year mortgage with me?"

This made us all laugh out loud 😂.

When we were young, we always underestimated the destructive power of a 30-year mortgage.

But only when paying it off do we realize how huge the impact of fixed monthly expenses really is.

Like Xiao E, even though her job is exhausting, she dares not lose her job.

When faced with difficult bosses, she tries her best to solve problems rather than changing jobs.

She’s changing her previous consumption habits—from thinking about what to buy to what she can buy after paying off the mortgage.

Currently, the primary goal 🎯 is to earn money first and pay off the loan.

Xiao E said, "When I signed the papers at 30, I never thought the destructive power of a 30-year mortgage would be so fierce."

It means maintaining her current income for the next 30 years. If one day she loses her job, she might have to stop paying the mortgage.

No need to think about the future now, but I really want to tell Xiao E: "You’ve built a home for yourself with your own ability, and with your courage, you’re carrying the future. This independence and resilience are the most precious assets."

Don’t fear the long future; paying off a mortgage alone is super cool. Every time you make a payment, you’re one step closer to a stronger version of yourself.

Although a 30-year mortgage is very powerful, the hardships endured and the difficulties borne will eventually turn into your unique 'combat power.'