Episode 263

Mortgage Freedom Before 35: Lessons from Maddie’s Reno Journey

Introduction

Dive into the latest She Renovates podcast episode!

Most 30-somethings are staring down decades of repayments—Maddie and her husband flipped that script and became mortgage-free by 32. On modest incomes (dental assistant + storeman), they used smart buys, tight budgets, and two well-timed renos to unlock freedom—without giving up family life or joy.

From choosing the “doer-upper” in a great suburb to selling at the right moment, resisting the big-house trap, and learning when DIY helps (and when it hurts), this episode shows how ordinary choices—made consistently—create extraordinary results.

You’ll hear how they navigated rising interest rates, why they sold the dream house to buy their freedom, and the money habits that turned equity into options. Plus, what mortgage-free feels like—and how it’s changed the way they parent, plan, and play.

If you’ve ever wondered whether renovating can change your life on a normal income, this is your proof.

“We didn’t stop living—we got smart. Every dollar asked: will this make us money later?”

— Maddie

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 – Welcome & why Maddie’s story matters

01:30 – The first buy: choosing a “doer-upper” in a great suburb

04:00 – Reno #1 realities: young, hands-on, and learning fast

06:30 – Trading up (too far): the beautiful big house during rate rises

09:00 – Hard call: sell the dream to buy freedom

12:30 – Reno #2: finishing well, timing the sale, and agent vs DIY selling

15:30 – Numbers that moved the needle: equity, savings, and living on less

18:00 – DIY truths: when to stop tiling and hire the pro

20:30 – Motherhood & money: sharper risk decisions with kids in the mix

23:00 – Mortgage-free moments: sunsets, yellow, and breathing room

25:00 – New conversations: income plans, splurge rules, and what freedom funds

28:00 – What she’d tell her younger self (and any 20-something listening)

30:00 – Next steps: a flip outside the family home—and holding in the future

Resources

The School Of Renovating

https://www.theschoolofrenovating.com

She Renovates Podcast

https://www.theschoolofrenovating.com/podcasts-page/

Connect with The School of Renovating

ASK BERNADETTE:

https://sherenovates.com.au/podcast/

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