Are you planning your move in the Spring? Try these quick and easy ways to help save for your down payment!
1) Clean-out
Sell stuff on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, Craigslist or your local second-hand shop.
Anticipated Savings: Varies – try for $1,000!
2) Pack your lunch
This one is as easy as it sounds. Just make sure to budget a few extra minutes each day and get it done!
Anticipated Savings: $65 per week – do this for 6 months, and you’ve saved over $1,500!
3) Ditch the Starbucks
As much as it pains us to admit this, the Latte Factor is real! We need our morning coffee – without it, we’re cranky, unproductive creatures; but the three-pound bag of coffee for $10 from the grocery store brewed in a coffee pot at home does the trick just fine. Besides, when you do go for a Starbucks (because of course we’d never suggest to ditch it ENTIRELY), it tastes even better – it’s like a treat that you truly earned. No guilt – just bliss.
Anticipated Savings: $35 per week – do this for 6 months, and you’ve saved another $840!
4) Can you say Up and Up?
Yes, off brands! There are so many products that are EXACTLY the same as name brands (minus the price tag). For example, medication – check the active ingredients. Wanna make a bet on whether or not the ingredients are the same? I’ll spare you – they are. EVERY TIME. But it’s not just medication – try simple toiletries or granola bars or house cleaning supplies, just to name a few. Now, notice I didn’t say ALL products have great off brands – because they don’t, and you certainly need to experiment. But there are plenty out there that are great, and the trialing is well worth the oodles of pennies and dollars saved.
Anticipated Savings: as much as you’d like!
5) Cut the cable
Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu. Need I say more? If you aren’t sold yet, when something’s on television that you “must see”, like a playoff NHL game, you now have an excuse to go to a local bar for cheap beer and loud, fun crowds. You’re welcome.
Anticipated Savings: $100+ per month
There are certainly more than these ways to cut costs and save money month to month, so we’d love to hear from you! Comment below with your favorite options from our suggestions above and/or what YOU like to do to stash some money away!
Get creative and happy saving, you soon-to-be homeowner!
