Saving for a Down Payment: 3 Simple and Unexpected Ways to Save

One thing remains certain whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or a renter looking to buy your first place. It can seem daunting to save for a down payment. In difficult times when the job outlook is uncertain at best, this is especially true. You don’t need to be making a small fortune at work to save up for a down payment, contrary to popular belief. In fact, there are many simple ways to achieve your goals, just by being more aware of how you spend your money. In fact, just by being more aware of how you spend your money, there are many simple ways to achieve your goals. To help you start saving up, here are three simple tips.

First and foremost, you should consider eating out less and thinking things through more. You may assume you spend about $10 at a mid-level restaurant if you eat out once a week, right? Try again, and this time add in costs of all appetizers, desserts and drinks you regularly order, as well. You’ll probably find yourself around $20 now. The tip has to be in there too, doesn’t it? The total can add up to $25 or $30 without you even realizing it. You could easily spend over $100, once you multiple that figure by how many times you eat out each month.

Instead, consider cooking your favorite dinners at home. Ask for ice water with your meal since it’s free, if you do eat out. Consider lowering the tip you give from 15% to 10%. It will sure add up toward your down payment, even though on smaller amounts, the difference isn’t that much.

Use fewer paper towels, as a second method. The cost of purchase adds up over times, even though it’s everyone’s favorite way to clean up a mess or wipe their hands. Why not, when you can easily get rags that will do the same job for free? By simply washing them occasionally, rags can be reused as well. Saving for a down payment only takes a little thought on your part.

A third tip would be to stop subscribing to magazines. Why pay for something you can find online for free? Treat movies similarly. At around $30 for a single admission, popcorn and a drink, there’s really no point in going out. A monthly movie subscription program by mail is something you should consider instead. It’s so much more inexpensive, as well.

You can really save a lot of money in these three simple ways toward a down payment. Over time, though, you’ll be saving much more than you ever originally imagined.

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