When I first knew my mortgage was going to be paid no matter what, it made it a lot easier for me to take certain job offers. I didn't have to take the safe bet all the time.

I'm in a safe bet now due to a couple contracts not going great. It's stressful enough that I'm spending money I shouldn't be on stress relief. But my emergency fund is full again, and I can't wait to get back to doing interesting, new, and/or important things.