Employed, mortgaged, bored.
I am employed in a good job that pays well and gives me every other Friday off. And 4 weeks vacation. During my time with the company, I've held a variety of positions within the department, and learned much in my field. I've held this last position for 8 years. The first couple of years in this position were fluid and fun, with new projects to implement and lots to learn. The last couple of years have been stagnant, not a lot of fun. Though there is always change in my area with much to learn, the roadmap for the company doesn't take us there. And so, I am now bored. My position is highly outsource-able as well, and the roadmap for the company does go there, eventually.
My good job pays for the mortgage I have on my house, and the debt I have acquired. The ever shrinking debt, though shrinking much slower than I would like. I am not a "live today with the money you'll make tomorrow" sort of person, but I have been living this lifestyle for a while now. I bought the house a couple of years ago, just before the jump in housing prices would have made it unattainable. A couple of unexpected expenses later, and I have my new lifestyle.
The house has always been either a place where I can play my stereo as loud as I like (more or less) OR a stepping stone to being mortgage-free. I rather like the freedom a house affords, but I also rather like the idea of being mortgage-free, even if it is a townhouse or apartment. I decided to decide when my mortgate term is up, which is next year.
The real estate market will presently give me 50% return on my house. I could take this return, pay off my debt and apply the remainder to a small apartment and live mortgage-free. Of course, it would be pretty cramped after living in the house; and it wouldn't be in any of my top 10 areas to live; and I'd have rule-makers telling me how loud I could play my stereo, when I could do my laundry, and when I have to pay out for extra maintenance; and I'd have neighbour-leakage (sounds, smells, sights).
I am currently leaning towards a townhouse since another smaller cheaper house is pretty much out of the question, unless I want to commute 6 hours a day. I would still have a mortgage, but even with the leap in mortgage rates it would be two-thirds my current mortgage; I could still pay off my debt; I could get the same amount of space as I currently have; it would be on the peripheral of my #1 place to live; the rule-makers would still be in my life, but there would be fewer rules; and I'd still have neighbour-leakage, but just on the sides - maybe even just one side if I could get an end-unit.
With no debt (besides the possible mortgage) and less expenses, my savings would start rebuilding fairly quickly.
With my two possible futures really being the status quo of owning a house but having no money to play, or moving to something smaller and being able to play again, I'm fairly certain I'll be selling the house. Much as it means to me to have a house, I simply don't like spending tomorrow's money today.
So my real future is a roof over my head, no debt, healthy savings .. and the possibility of being outsourced. The company may be able to find another position for me when the time comes, but I am not going to count on it. More than likely, I've got a few years before I really have to worry about it. But.. it's got me wondering "what would I like to do next".
