It seems in an increasingly uncertain time, where the threat of potential interest rate rises looms, wage growth stagnating and soaring energy prices, the pressure and anxiety of meeting mortgage repayments is an omnipresent threat.

How can we face the current challenge of trying to meet the monthly crushing burden of debt whilst trying to eat our smashed avocado in one hand, and simultaneously parking funds for that illusive dream of early retirement in the other?

The ubiquitous modern dilemma of “how do I lift this monumental burden on my shoulders, before my mortgage stays true to its linguistic origins as death pledge” weighs on us heavily. In addition to this threat, and given the increased price of living in our modern society, is it any wonder that we aren’t just concerned with this dilemma? Given apparent increases in the cost of energy we are perturbed by the thought, should I be turning on the heater or take up knitting sweaters as a new hobby?

According to McCrindle, May 2013 A pessimistic view seems to be steadily emerging with 3 out of 4 individuals feeling that we are ‘worse now’ economically than we were last year and this trajectory is steadily on the incline, an astounding 88 % of Australians feel the cost of living pressures are greater today than 5 years ago.

Why has this gloomy financial forecast befallen so many of us, how can we rally against increased living costs pervading all corners of our lives? Is the path to emancipation from the tightening shackles of living expenses present in the form of a fully paid off mortgage, and if so, how do we expedite that dream?