11 Easy Tips To Make Buying Your First Home A Reality
Buying a home is the ultimate dream for many people today. But saving the money for the down payment can be a real challenge. One good solution is to start a budget. This allows you to analyze where your money is going, figure out where you can cut down and save for your first home.
Start out by just keeping a record of the things you buy everyday. Once you’ve tracked this for a month, you have an idea of where your money is going. Then you can fine tune the process. Remember, a budget is just a target to aim for. You will never have a “perfect” month – because life is what happens when you make other plans. But just keeping track will put you light years ahead of the game. When you put your budget together, make sure that you allow for a certain amount to go into savings every month. Although budgeting is not something most people like to do, having a big dream like purchasing your first home is often just the motivation you need to begin.
Even so, saving money takes time. So be patient and pat yourself on the back for even beginning. Keep your eye on the prize and don’t get discouraged. Here are a few money saving tips that you can use to accelerate your program. These tips may appear to be off the wall but they really work!
1) Save your hard-earned money by doing your workouts at home. Just by buying workout tapes or DVDs rather than joining a gym will save you hundreds of dollars a year.
2) Make coffee at home instead of buying expensive coffee drinks. If you are a real coffee “nazi”, try roasting your own coffee beans. It is a very easy process. You can purchase a small home coffee roasters quite inexpensively. And once you get into the habit, you will never want to buy “store bought” again!
3) Start collecting discount coupons. Use them when those items go on sale and you’ll save even more. I know, I know… Clip coupons? Get a thin wallet that you can slip in your purse or pocket so that you will have the coupons on you when you need them.
4) Instead of buying your lunch out every day, get into the habit of “brown bagging it”. The added bonus here is not only will you save money, but you’ll save calories too!
5) Paying off your credit every month is a wise thing to do. It is very important to pay your bills just before the due dates. Not only will this drive up your FICO score, it also avoids any extra late charges – which can soar through the roof! And if you’re late twice in a 12 month period, then your INTEREST rate soars! A real budget buster! And something you do NOT want to have happen.
6) You may want to think about renting DVD’s instead of going out to the movies. Make your own homemade popcorn and enjoy the show! You can really save a ton!
7) Smoking is dangerous to your health AND your budget. So better to stop it now!
8) Instead of buying magazines or subscribing to newspapers, why not read them on the internet or go to your neighborhood library where you can read them for free?
9) Comparison shop internet providers. If there is a special introductory rate, just grab it!
10) Sign up for any rewards programs that give you points. You can get free goods, free trips and measl. It will amaze you how much you will be able to save!
11) Cut down on impulse buying at the grocery store – and by all means DO NOT GO GROCERY SHOPPING WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY! Have a list before going and buy only those things which are on your list.
The bottom line is saving money is a mind set. You’ve worked hard to earn it – be just as ruthless about spending it! Absolutely the best way to save money is to be prudent in buying anything. Once you get into the mindset, it can become a game. You will be surprised at how quickly all the little things you do can add up!
For a FREE on-line budgeting system that you can use to track your daily expenses, click here now.
And to even further maximize what you are able to buy, think about buying your first home with an FHA 203k loan! For the instant replay to our free teleseminar, register here now. >>>>>
I do well when YOU do well!
“To Your Success!”
mary!
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