These Doctors Kept Their Dream Home and Career Freedom

Everyone told them the same thing.

You can't retire with a mortgage. Pay it off first. Stay in your jobs until it's gone.

But Michael and Sarah were exhausted. Both physicians, they'd spent decades in demanding roles. They made great money—over a million a year combined—but the work was draining them.

Then they found their dream house.

Room for their daughters. Space to host family gatherings. The home they'd always imagined.

But it came with a $900,000 mortgage at 6.75%.

And suddenly, retirement felt impossible.

Michael and Sarah were in their late 50s with substantial savings. They'd been diligent—maxing out retirement accounts, investing consistently, living well below their means despite their high income.

But that mortgage payment felt like a chain.

They kept hearing the same generic advice everywhere: Don't retire with debt. Pay off the house first.

So they stayed. Michael kept his demanding hospital role. Sarah continued her grueling schedule at a private practice.

And they were miserable.

Here's what generic advice does.

It's like a GPS that only knows one route to your destination. Doesn't matter if there's traffic, construction, or a faster way. It just keeps repeating: This is the only path.

But retirement planning isn't one-size-fits-all.

For some people, yes, eliminating a mortgage is the right move. But for Michael and Sarah? They had the resources to make it work.

The question wasn't if they could afford the mortgage in retirement.

The question was how to structure their finances so they could.

We stopped treating the mortgage like a dealbreaker and started treating it like a line item.

We built a comprehensive retirement paycheck system—tax-efficient, systematic, and sustainable. We mapped out exactly where their income would come from each year, how to minimize taxes, and how to ensure consistent cash flow.

The mortgage payment? Just one expense among many.

And once they could see the full picture, everything changed.

Michael transitioned to a less stressful role at the same hospital. He kept working, but on his terms—fewer hours, better boundaries, no more burnout.

Sarah left her practice entirely and started consulting. Now she handpicks her projects. Works when she wants. Takes time off without guilt.

The stress is gone.

They're not retired yet, but they're not white-knuckling their way through each day either.

Michael actually enjoys his work now. Sarah has time for morning coffee without rushing. They host Sunday dinners in that beautiful home without feeling like it cost them their freedom.

The mortgage didn't trap them. The assumption that they had to pay it off first did.

They have confidence in their plan. They know exactly how much they need, where it's coming from, and when they can fully step away if they want to.

But here's the best part: they're not in a rush anymore.

Most retirement advice treats complexity like an enemy.

Pay off everything. Eliminate all debt. Make it simple.

But sometimes the "simple" answer ignores what actually matters to you.

The right question isn't "What does everyone else say I should do?"

It's "What do I actually want my life to look like—and what does that require financially?"

Michael and Sarah wanted the house. They wanted career flexibility. They wanted to stop sacrificing their well-being for conventional wisdom.

And once they stopped following generic rules and started building a plan around their life, everything fell into place.

One more thing – I read every single reply to these emails.

I use your responses to guide my content, so it might become next week’s deep dive.

Happy retiring,

Josh Rendler, CFP®

_{For privacy, names and minor details were changed. Education only, not advice. Consult your professional(s).}