Ok, that feels weird to write out six or seven checks totalling a bit under 40K. I actually kind of like that I'm in a position to do that. I had an option other than to slog through payment by payment for 10 years or whatever.

But damn, that's a lot of money to send off to other people. Of course, it's money I didn't really have. It's trading debt for debt, and in a way that makes financial sense. For one thing, the interest is now tax-deductible -- for as long as I hold the loan. When I sell, the whole thing will be wiped out and I'll have more besides. Plus then I'll have no significant debtors to satisfy. It'll all be mine.

That feels both fabulous and petrifying all at once. Wow.