“after paying in 12 years on a 30 y mortgage, he’d just be starting to make significant principal payments, seems odd to pay off the mortgage at that point.”

I don’t understand why paying off debt is considered strange. People should be congratulated for paying off debt, not get the rolling of eyes! Maybe that is why we are where we are today.

There are very good reasons to desire debt free living. Of course in 1980 it is likely CDs were paying a higher interest rate than the mortgage. In that case I can see the point. I just don’t get why it is odd paying off a mortgage just because you’ve had it so long. Reducing liabilities in my mind is HUGE.