My reality is very, very different from yours. I pay way less for my mortgage for a large house in a safe neighborhood with a yard. We have a deck and fishpond in the backyard. We have a recording studio in the attic. We have plenty of space. I can't imagine paying what you pay!

Here's the thing, though. If you're paying that much money each month, it's hard to imagine how you'll save up enough to buy a house outright. Obviously your income is dramatically higher than mine, but personally, I've always purchased homes because the cost of renting is too high and it does feel like flushing money away. I'd much rather have my monthly living expense go toward a mortgage than rent. If I have to pay a chunk each month either way, why not have it go toward paying off a property? Soon I'll have my house paid off, and I'm really looking forward to that. It will allow me to save more money than usual.

I bought my first house at age 24. I live in No. 4 now, and still have No. 3. Currently my adult son lives there, as he does NOT want the responsbility of owning a house. I will in time, if all goes as planned, have two houses all paid off; one to live in and one to rent out or to sell, just depending. Since I've always had a lower income, I need to do whatever I can for security.

I know -- you think living in a smaller town in flyover country is horrible. You might be surprised!