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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to want to pay off the mortgage instead?

208 replies

onnwt · 18/07/2024 16:01

I was gifted 100k last year. Dd is due to start school in a year. My parents (who gifted the money) are ‘very sad’ I’ve decided to use the money to pay off half the remaining mortgage instead of towards school fees.

They said they assumed I would keep the money until she started secondary (and presumably add to it between now and then) or I would use 10k a year from the 100k and spend my own income on the rest of the fees per year if she was to start age 5. They’ve said I can do what I want with it but they ‘assumed I wanted dd to have the best opportunity in life.’

My outstanding mortgage is 208k. I would love to pay it off to under 100k as I would then realistically be mortgage free by 45 (I’m 32). I’m now second guessing myself as I do have a healthy income and could feasibly just pay the fees from income alone. I wanted to enjoy life though. For context state schools round here aren’t they best but aren’t the worst either. I’m now feeling like a shit mum and also even worse as DS’s dad has zero interest so this decision totally rests on me. WWYD?

OP posts:
Rhaidimiddim · 18/07/2024 16:09

Surely £100k invested in a risk-free vehicle will earn less in (taxed) interest than you will pay in interest over the next eight years? So you are saving a significant sum by paying off the mortgage, which you can save for when your DD goes to secondary school.

You can then assess for yourself what your DD needs, where she will thrive, what you can afford. Even without inflation, £100k might not be enough.

A lot changes in 8 years, and who knows what Starmer will do?

Nightshade9 · 18/07/2024 16:08

I’d go with the schools fees every time particularly if you have a healthy income where you probably pay them anyway so could pay down your mortgage quicker anyway.

I do understand this is a personal choice and I value education above pretty much everything else as it gives options to children. That said if you have anxiety over the debt, or no back up savings, or would struggle to fund later years these would all play a part in my decision.

Is there a need to be mortgage free by 45? Would that be better for you as a family? Only you can make a guess at it. Either way sounds like you are giving your LO a great start in life!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 18/07/2024 16:08

They should have just offered to pay the fees if that’s what they wanted. If they give it to you as a gift it’s a gift - YANBU to assume you can spend it as you like!

hereweareMN · 18/07/2024 16:07

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hereweareMN · 18/07/2024 16:06

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Tgjjl · 18/07/2024 16:05

Your parents were a bit silly if they didn’t tell you what the gift was for.

sonjadog · 18/07/2024 16:04

So it wasn't really a gift then? It was money given with expectations and an attempt to control your daughter's schooling?

You do what you think is right for yourself and for your daughter. Paying a lower mortgage will also benefit her as you will have more money for other things every month.

hereweareMN · 18/07/2024 16:03

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