Today we welcome a collaborative post from a talented contributor. Enjoy, C.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Buying a home is a massive commitment that requires spending a lot of money at once and then spending dedicated funds every month for fifteen to thirty years. It\u2019s one of the most significant financial decisions the average person will make in their lifetimes, so it must be decided with good planning. <\/span>If you want to buy a home and be confident that you\u2019re ready, these are some of the financial plans to lay out first.<\/span><\/p>\n Unless you are eligible for specific grants, the average cost of a <\/span>down payment for a home is 20% of the cost of the home<\/span><\/a>. In recent years, home prices have skyrocketed to new heights, so you must be able to save as much money as possible. To do this, set aside two savings accounts, one for your home and another for emergencies. This way, you\u2019ll be safe if something comes up, and you won\u2019t have to pull money from your home fund.<\/span><\/p>\n Entertainment is necessary to enjoy being alive<\/span><\/a>. We need humor, art, and thought-provoking content to be fully enriched. So although you shouldn\u2019t cut off all entertainment: you can cut the cable cord if you have it. Instead of cable, use a different subscription streaming service every month for a good rotation of things to watch. This approach will save you $70 to $200 from the cost of the cable service you had previously.<\/span><\/p>\n It can be <\/span>tempting to make substantial life changes<\/span><\/a> but don\u2019t change everything at once. It takes time to build good financial health, so just like when you start a new eating pattern — take your time changing for better savings. This technique could mean you aim for one or two instead of eating out thrice weekly. Consider what parts of your life you can cut back on and back off them for a couple of months before reassessing your thoughts about how it\u2019s working.<\/span><\/p>\nCreate Two Different Savings<\/span><\/h2>\n
Pay Attention to Entertainment<\/span><\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t Cut Anything Off Cold Turkey<\/span><\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Start With a Renter<\/span><\/h2>\n