Paid off mortgage

[iwant2know]

DH and I paid off our mortgage in November last year. We love our house, it's the perfect size for us and our 2 DSSs so we don't plan to move again.

We hadn't told anyone because it's no one else's business and we didn't want to come across as smug or up ourselves.

My dsis was over this morning and was in when a delivery person came to the door with flowers. I took them off the delivery person and put them on the coffee table and went back to the door to sign for them.

By the time I turned round Dsis had opened the card, which was from our bank congratulating us on paying off the mortgage. I didn't know they did this sort of thing.

Dsis got really upset, saying we should have told her, we hide this from her etc. For background she is older and has just started her mortgage after buying a house last year. She left shortly after.

I have just got back from lunch with a friend who I mentioned Dsis reaction to. She thinks we we're wrong not to tell people. We have acted like we have something to hide. Apparently everyone announces paying off their mortgages. It's a social niceity.

Aibu to think there is no hard and fast rule about this sort of thing? And we haven't done anything wrong.

The only person who has done something wrong is your sister by opening a card that wasn't addressed to her. Its no one elses business whether you have finished paying off your mortgage. My parents told family when they paid off theirs, but thats because it was such a weight off their shoulders.
Congratulations and enjoy your flowers and extra money

I would think you were a steaming weirdo if you decided to announce to me that you'd paid your mortgage off.

Whats it got to do with anyone else?

Congrats to you and absolutely nobody's business and you don't need to tell anyone

This is bizarre. YANBU. Your home, your finances, your achievement, your business. You owe nobody anything.

She opened your card!
Is this usual.
Does she also open people's post at work (steal it and give to another colleague from herself) and look at people's calendars. Rude.

She opened the card? Cheeky moo!

Waits for her to ask for money.

Do people tell others people they have paid off their mortgage? I agree it’s nobody else’s business, do you also need to announce when you have paid student loans/cars etc? Some people are strange, ignore her reaction you have done nothing wrong, it’s silly behaviour.

Wowsers. Some people like to know everyone's business!!

How bizarre. I can't imagine why anyone would think it's their business and I'm certainly not aware of any convention of announcing it publicly!

Agree it's no-one else's business. We didn't get flowers and it seems a bit late t get them now if paid off in November?

Anyway I guess technically we haven't paid ours off as we still have a mortgage facility but the balance is currently zero. Maybe that's why we don't have flowers? :o

Honestly Op their reaction is probably down to jealousy! Completely agree that sort of thing is no-one else's business and like you say if you tell people it's almost as if you're bragging about it so no win situation really. I would of been pretty pissed off that she opened your card in the 1st place and such a strange reaction from both, they should be very happy for you, why would you of told them!!

No one sent me flowers when I paid mine off - feel left out now.

I am now sure who knows I am mortgage free - My Mum and sister definitely know and a couple of close friends, but that's it. If someone asked me, I would tell them - it's not a secret, but not something to be bandied about.

Strange reaction from Dsis though. Just as I was paying mine off, my Dsis was taking out a mortgage for the first time.

not

My Aunt did this to my Mum when she retired from her job. Went mental about not telling anyone. She didn't even tell my Dad until after the work 'do because she didn't want anyone to talk her out of it.

I fail to see what business it is of others regarding your finances. And your sister was out of order to open your card.

Wakuptortoise is probably right - your sister is weird (opening your post?) and she will now expect you to pay for her at every thing you ever do with her. And increasingly people now dont pay off their mortgage if they dont have to - most people in that position keep a tiny amount on it as its the cheapest line of credit you will ever have, and its worth keeping that access option open if it costs you nothing to do so.

I'd have told my dsis just out of interest, but we get on really well and do tell each other such things.
I wouldn't announce it to the world though, and didn't.
My dsis certainly wouldn't have touched the card and she was really pleased for us, she didn't leave shortly after we told her.
Your friend is mad and your sister sounds jealous.

Like Jappy, we'll be paying ours off in the next couple of months, it's not a secret, but it's not something I'd announce to all and sundry - it's just something that's happening..

My family couldn't care less, why would they expect me to keep them apprised of my financial situation?

Absolutely ridiculous! We repaid ours last year. We celebrated privately with a meal out and drinks. Really miffed we got nothing from Nationwide Building Society!!!!

DsIS is BVU opening a card to you!

Do they also expect you to hold “this is our net wage” party? If so, will they also have the same type of party?

No? They’re taking the piss into personal financial information. Tits.

bonkers relative of the week award goes to....

Congratulations. Nobody's business. I cannot wait to pay mine off. Got a few years yet.
I won't be telling anyone, it may incite jealousy which I don't need.