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What Your Coffee Habit Can Teach You About Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster

May 20, 2025 by Kay Monigold

As your mortgage advisor, I am not here to tell you to give up your favorite coffee, but I am here to show you how something as simple as your daily coffee run can reveal some powerful lessons about how to pay off your mortgage faster.

The Cost of Coffee and the Opportunity It Hides
Let’s say you spend $5 a day on coffee, five days a week. That is $25 a week, about $100 a month, and $1,200 a year. Over 10 years? That adds up to $12,000.

Now imagine if you took just a portion of that and applied it toward your mortgage principal instead. That small, daily choice could save you thousands in interest and shave years off your loan.

Small Choices, Big Results
You do not need to make big changes to see an impact. Something as simple as adding $100 a month to your mortgage can make a big difference. For example, on a $300,000 loan at 6%, adding $100 extra to your principal each month could save you over $38,000 in interest and help you pay off your mortgage more than five years earlier. That is your coffee habit at work, just redirected with purpose.

Create a “Mortgage Mindset”
Think about all the little expenses that sneak into your monthly budget like food delivery, unused subscriptions, extra shopping trips. These small amounts can become powerful tools when applied consistently to your mortgage.

Try automating extra payments or rounding up your monthly payment. Use your tax refund, work bonuses, or even income from a side hustle to chip away at your loan. These little decisions really do add up.

It’s Not About Deprivation, It’s About Direction
This is not about cutting all the fun out of your life. It is about being more intentional. Maybe you still enjoy your morning coffee, but cut back in another area. It is all about choosing what matters most in the long run.

Let’s Build Your Plan
As your loan originator, I’m here to help you explore strategies to pay down your mortgage faster, without feeling like you are giving everything up. Together, we can create a plan that fits your budget and brings you closer to financial freedom.

Have questions? Let’s talk. Sometimes it just takes a new perspective and a little coffee math to get you on the right path.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Coffee And Homeownership, Financial Freedom, Mortgage Tips

Eco-Friendly Mortgages To Finance Green Homes

May 16, 2025 by Kay Monigold

As more homeowners seek sustainable living options, eco-friendly mortgages have become a valuable tool for financing energy-efficient homes. These specialized loans offer financial incentives to buyers and homeowners who invest in environmentally friendly properties or upgrades. Understanding how these mortgages work can help you determine if they align with your homeownership and sustainability goals.

What Are Eco-Friendly Mortgages?
Eco-friendly mortgages, also known as green mortgages, are designed to encourage energy-efficient homeownership. Lenders offer these loans to homebuyers purchasing energy-efficient properties or homeowners making upgrades to improve energy conservation. These loans often come with lower interest rates, higher borrowing limits, or flexible repayment terms as incentives for sustainable housing investments.

Types of Green Mortgages

  • Energy-Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) – Available for purchasing, refinancing, or renovating a home to improve energy efficiency. Borrowers can include the cost of energy upgrades in the mortgage, reducing the need for separate financing.
  • Green Home Loans – Specifically for buying newly built green-certified homes that meet energy efficiency and sustainability standards.
  • FHA and VA Energy-Efficient Loans – Government-backed mortgage programs offering additional loan amounts to cover energy-efficient improvements.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Mortgages

  • Lower Utility Bills – Energy-efficient upgrades reduce electricity and heating costs.
  • Potential Tax Credits & Rebates – Many states and local governments offer incentives for green home improvements.
  • Increased Home Value – Sustainable features can make a home more attractive to buyers, potentially boosting resale value.
  • Lower Interest Rates & Better Terms – Some lenders provide favorable loan conditions for energy-efficient properties.

Common Green Home Improvements

  • Solar panels for renewable energy production.
  • Energy-efficient windows and insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs.
  • Smart home technology for better energy management.
  • High-efficiency HVAC systems to lower energy consumption.
  • Water-saving appliances to reduce waste.

Is an Eco-Friendly Mortgage Right for You?
A green mortgage makes sense if:

  • You are buying a certified energy-efficient home or planning upgrades.
  • You want to lower long-term energy costs while financing improvements.
  • You qualify for lender incentives such as reduced interest rates or higher loan limits.

Financing a green home through an eco-friendly mortgage not only benefits the environment but also enhances your financial well-being. If sustainability is a priority for your homeownership journey, exploring these options could be a smart investment.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Eco-Friendly Living, Green Mortgages, Sustainable Homes

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Our Team

Kay MonigoldKay Monigold
Owner/Mortgage Broker/Residential Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS#1086176

Ron MartinRon Martin
Residential Mortgage Loan Originator

NMLS#316821

Steven LoweSteven P Lowe, Sr
Residential Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #1085638

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