The other thing that's exciting is watching your investment account balances grow. The next steps are when the account balances grow at a rate higher than your monthly income, then your annual income, then your actual mortgage balance, then your FI number. It happens, it really does. It is so much more exciting and empowering than killing the mortgage. People think paying that off is going to feel good, but they have no idea what a blast it is to ride the rocket ship of compound interest to infinity and beyond.
I cannot explain what an amazingly powerful feeling it is, but if you try it, you're statistically likely to have the same result. It's amazing how many of life's problems disappear, and how many doors are opened, when you have a huge pile of investments to optimize your time on this planet.
It is important to note that I was single, never a high wage earner, always lived in a HCOLA, and was never able to save the majority of my salary or anywhere near that. Keeping a mortgage and investing steadily got me over the finish line. This shit works, it really, really works! I know I'm mostly preaching to the choir here, but you never know what open-minded souls are reading this thread, willing to learn a concept that is often misunderstood, if it's considered at all.
When I first heard of the idea of NOT prepaying a mortgage, I was an unwilling pupil, and skeptical to the hilt. I am so grateful to the two people in my life who kept teaching until I was willing to learn. My life is amazing now, due to their persistence and willingness to keep at it until I finally got it. Hanging around here and continuing to post on this topic is my way of paying it forward.
Obligatory disclaimer: The above refers to affordable, long term, fixed rate, (mostly) tax deductible mortgages, primarily in the US. If you live somewhere else, I cannot speak to your situation. Please do your own due dilligence.