Or you could just… set a strict monthly budget, stick to it, and send all your excess to the mortgage company with each paycheck… how would this be any different?

It seems some people need to have handcuffs on to save money. Like my wife, who prefers to let the IRS sit on her money and give her zero interest, so she can get a nice fat return in April. I ask her “Why not you keep the money each month, do something productive with it, and turn April 14th into a non event?” She says “I’d just spend it on something”

??? huh?

Anyway, how is sending all your excess to the lender any different than depositing your whole paycheck, and taking back from them what you need each month? I’d rather have the control myself.