Proudly calling myself a homeowner, it took me two years to find a house in Toronto—one of North America’s most expensive housing markets. For American readers, it might not be apparent that housing affordability is a major concern for many Canadians.

With the average price of a detached home in Toronto exceeding 1 million Canadian dollars, Toronto is Canada’s second-largest real estate market after Vancouver. The real estate and cost of living here are akin to major cities in the United States.

I bought this house for $425,000,makingadownpaymentof$170,000, leaving a mortgage of $255,000.

By September 22, 2015, just three years later, I had paid off the mortgage.

I not only cleared the loan on my own (without any financial assistance from family) but also did it before turning 30. Paying off a mortgage early is not easy—it requires many sacrifices, but it’s worth it.

Here’s how I did it, along with some tips on how to pay off a mortgage early.

Why Pay Off My Mortgage Before 30?

Financial bloggers often set financial goals. From paying off student loans to shopping bans, but few set the goal of paying off a mortgage in a few years.

Many millennials feel housing is out of reach, so I wanted to prove otherwise. If a 20-something single guy can clear a mortgage in Canada’s second most expensive housing market in three years, what’s stopping others from setting and achieving lofty goals for themselves?

My mother inspired me to pay off the loan quickly. During the dot-com bubble, she was laid off and struggled to pay the mortgage as a single mother raising two kids.

I didn’t want to find myself in the same situation, so I vowed to clear my mortgage as quickly as possible.

The Obstacles I Encountered Along the Way

The journey to mortgage freedom wasn’t smooth. There were bumps along the way. In 2014, after experiencing Toronto’s coldest February in history, I faced expensive home repairs. I ended up spending $25,000 on home renovations, including a new retaining wall, front porch, walkway, and eavestroughs.

My emergency fund was only $15,000,soIworkedevenhardertosavetheadditional$10,000. The effort paid off—I didn’t have to go into debt to pay for the home repairs. My mortgage freedom plan remained unscathed.

I’d like to say my family and friends were keen on my plan to clear my mortgage in three years, but that wasn’t the case. I don’t blame them for it. While they didn’t necessarily agree with my decision to work like crazy, they eventually came around and supported me. I completely understand their perspective—they were just looking out for me.

Another obstacle was self-motivation. My secret to staying motivated was what I like to call my “inspiration wall.” I’ve seen some people keep positive emails and read them when they’re feeling down.

I took it a step further.

I framed newspaper articles and hung them on the wall next to my computer. On mornings when I woke up at 5 a.m. and wanted to sleep until 7 a.m., I saw that article that said, “Mortgage-Free by 31.”

I didn’t want to let anyone down, so it kept me going, even when I’d rather hit the snooze button on my alarm.

How Did I Do It? What Made Me Different from My Peers?

Achieving mortgage freedom wasn’t easy. It required making many sacrifices. One of them was my social life. On Saturday nights, while my friends were out having fun, I was at home working on my computer.

I was lucky to have loyal friends who stood by me during this busy time. I also couldn’t travel as often as I wished. My most exciting trip was a 24-hour bus ride to Wisconsin.

I lived very frugally during this time. I did everything I could to save money. I packed my lunch, cooked at home instead of dining out, and biked to work. Kraft Dinner might have been my best friend (no, I didn’t eat it every meal, just a few times a week).

How Paying Off My Mortgage Changed My Life

After clearing my mortgage, I felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. It was like winning the lottery.

I work because I want to, not because I have to. It has given me the opportunity to pursue things I’ve always wanted to do, including volunteering and traveling (no more bus rides to Wisconsin!).

Now that I have more free time, I want to use it wisely. I recently volunteered for a United Way event at work. I also organized a Syrian refugee clothing drive with my sister.

We often take for granted what we have in Canada. It’s important to realize how lucky we are to live in such great countries like Canada or the United States, where we can freely pursue our dreams and passions.

How to Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster in 3 Steps

1. Live Within Your Means

If you want to pay off your mortgage early, sacrifices are necessary. While you don’t have to go to the extremes I did, you do need to live within your means.

To control spending, make a budget. Your budget doesn’t have to be set in stone. Review it at least every six months and look for ways to cut expenses. Any money you save can go directly toward paying off your mortgage early.

2. Make Money

If you have free time, why not put it to good use? Instead of binge-watching Game of Thrones on Netflix, find a way to earn extra cash.

Get a part-time job, work overtime, or freelance. The extra money you earn can go directly toward paying off your mortgage faster.

3. Rent Out Your House

Whether you have a roommate or tenants, rental income is a great way to pay off your mortgage early. Roommates and tenants help you pay off your mortgage with their rent payments. However, being a landlord isn’t without its hassles.

Take the time to find the right tenants and price your rental property correctly. The last thing you want is a nightmare tenant who falls behind on rent and damages your property.