Cutting costs can save money! Well, we’ve all heard about forgoing coffee and cooking at home. Have you ever wanted to try out something more creative? Here a few lesser-known small ways to save for a down payment.
Download Store-Specific Apps
Many stores have their own apps! If you download them, you can often find a wide array of coupons or get back a certain amount of money in rewards. Plus, many of these apps are totally free!
Set Aside Something
Go through your finances. How much can you spare a month? Pick a reasonable amount to set aside each month—even if it’s $10. Over time, it will make a surprisingly large difference. You can also use free budgeting apps to manage your finances. One of my favorite ones is Mint—and it’s completely free!
Peruse the Public Domain
Too busy to visit the library? You can get free PDFs of books in the public domain! That means you can also bulk up your brain on the classics as you bulk up your bank account.
Ditch the Gym Membership
Don’t worry—you can still keep up with your physical fitness! Trying out small ways to save for a down payment doesn’t mean cutting out your exercise. In fact, you could be getting better workouts than ever before. How? There are plenty of online workouts you can use for free! Dancing, yoga, warm-ups, and more—take your pick.
Go Homemade
Facial scrubs, birthday cards, and even vanilla extract—what do they have in common? Answer: you can make them at home for cheaper prices!
Create “Fun” Budgets
When you first start budgeting, it’s easy to lapse. That’s why you should consider giving yourself a reasonable entertainment budget and a small “fun” shopping budget. Then, take out the money in cash so you don’t overspend. Noticing that you have cash on hand after the month is over? You can always use what’s left over on your down payment savings.
Buy In-Person
We’re almost all guilty of adding things we don’t need to our virtual shopping carts. Buying online makes it easier for us to go overboard. Buying in-person, on the other hand, can be one of the small ways to save for a down payment.
Keep a Victories List
Saving can be discouraging, especially if we miss out on something cool. Keep a list of your victories and how much you saved each time you made a frugal decision. That way, you have a concrete reminder of your hard work. You can even write down the dollar amount you saved and create a running total!
Summary
If you’re dreaming of finding a fantastic place to live, you’re not alone. How you save your money, though, can put you above the rest! The perfect home is in your reach—especially with these small ways to save for a down payment.
Ready to start looking? Hoping to sell? There’s only one step you need to take to get the job done: contacting Ryan Roberts through our helpful form. Plus, to find more tips on homebuying and selling, visit our blog.
