Honestly, unless you are independently wealthy, you need to save as much money as you can if you want to buy a house. There are many reasons for wanting as much money saved as possible.

• If you make a bigger down payment your mortgage payments will be lower.
• Depending on the type of financing your will have, you have to have a certain down payment amount to get the mortgage in the first place.
• Many homes are in multiple offers these days and having a larger down payment may help your offer get the home.
• Once you own a home you will have other expenses for upkeep, repairs, and things you may just want for the house.

You don’t think you can save any money.

• Fact is, most people can find a way to save if they want to. If your income is really too low to save, then you may want to wait to buy a house.
• Cut out some of your extra activities like eating out or shopping.
• Skip your vacation this year and bank the money you would have spent.
• Put off buying a new car unless you really have no choice.
• Spend more time with your friends that tend to be more frugal rather than your big spender friends.
• Create a budget with a savings plan and stick to it, no exceptions!
• At first it may seem like a sacrifice, but if you really want your own home, cutting back for a time will pay off big in the end!

Who doesn’t want to hear about simple energy savers that not only help the environment but save you money as well?

These 8 tips can save you energy and money.

1. Turn off your ice maker and use ice cube trays – this can save you 14-20% on your fridge’s energy consumption!
2. Use your dishwasher – the dishwasher uses about 1/3 less water than hand washing and you don’t have to do the dishes!
3. Turn off that burner – turn the burner off before you finish cooking as it does not cool off immediately and you can use that heat to finish cooking!
4. Buy an LCD TV – if you are buying a flat screen, LCD is the biggest energy saver!
5. Use a laptop – a laptop computer uses about 1/3 less energy than a desktop computer!
6. Add motion sensors – install motion sensors where room lights are often left on, they will turn lights on and off as necessary and save you energy!
7. Put your lamps in the corners – lamps in the corners reflect their light off adjoining walls creating more light so you can use a lower wattage bulb!
8. Blanket your water heater – a fiberglass insulation blanket around your water heater can save 4-9% on your average water heating bill.