Congratulations on buying your house in 2015, it would be difficult to buy such a property at that price today without some large concessions on location or quality of the home.

However, I do agree with the sentiment of your post. It's a lot easier to live below your means as a way to grow income rather than to stretch yourself to try to make extra money externally. 40 hours at a well played, balanced job with low living expenses is truly a great path.