Actually yours and the wifes age is going to matter. We all do different things that are age dependant. Most small property landlords have little equity initially and use the rent to decrease the mortgages and pay the taxes etc.

Their feeling is when paid off they will have income from it. There is nothing wrong with that but probably is typical. Your potential situation is a little if not a lot differant.

The only rule right now for me is to not to sit on a pile of cash or have it so safe that the reality is you are falling behind with inflation. The poor returns on fixed totally safe vehicles are just far too low currently and at best are only temporary parking.