This is what we have done: Sold the house in San Diego in 2005 and cashed in the $500K equity out of it. Bought and fully paid a brand new house in Texas for cash. Banked remaining chunk of cash in CD’s and bought EuroPacific stocks for the rest. Husband looked for equivalent job and pay in Texas (was very successful at that) and no longer pays the state income tax. New job will allow him to get Ssbi top secret clearance which will open so many more doors. Wife (me!) became a Stepford wife wearing pearls, making “wearable art” jewelry and cooking delicious meals everyday. Wow. Just like what I had always dreamt when I was a young kid. Personal anecdotes to answer thread question would probably carry some weight, maybe?
