Home owners,what sacrifices have you made to own your home?

Question

Thinking about buying a house, I am cutting back on my spending. To save enough,Want to know how you did it.

Answer 1

We made a goal to save 1000 a month for year so we would have enough cash. We had about 10,000 in the bank already. The two big things were bringing our own lunch to work instead of eating out and taking my bicycle to work. We actually got in really good shape at the same time. We also reduced our cable to only basic, lost the land line and only used a cell phone, lived without internet, put in energy effecient lightbulbs (fluerescant spirals use 14W, but give the same amount of light as a 60W).
Some other things we did, was make our own coffee(do the math, you will be amazed). , avoid driving into Boston because of the tolls. We did not buy anything new for an entire year (clothes, books, furniture, etc.)


Happily, we met our goal and were able to buy our house with money left as back up and to do some repairs. We now do most of the same things to continue paying for it. We bought a bigger house and have a tenant living in the basement to help pay for it, but it is so worth it.

Answer 2

Frankly, I did it the wrong way, because I was ignorant and did not put myself in charge. In this respect, I think you have it right. YOU are the one in charge, and you have to decide how much you want and can afford, don't leave it up to lenders to tell you.

I think you would benefit from the advice of Dave Ramsey. He has a formula for money that I have come to adopt. www.daveramsey.com

Good Luck