{"id":21503,"date":"2021-01-29T12:36:19","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T20:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=21503"},"modified":"2026-03-25T09:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:55:19","slug":"buyer-plans-to-save-money-for-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-plans-to-save-money-for-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Plans to Save Money for a House (One or More Will Work For You!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to buying a home, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/taramastroeni\/2020\/01\/17\/new-2020-homebuyer-report-shows-that-this-is-the-biggest-hurdle-millennial-buyers-face\/\">the down payment is often the largest hurdle<\/a>. Do you need to put 5% down? Or 10%, or more? Figuring out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-much-to-save-for-a-house\/\">how much to save<\/a> can get you started, but you\u2019ll also need to figure out <i>how <\/i>to save. Which means you need to start thinking about plans to save money for a house &#8230; right about now.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/cinthia-ane-fl-00684699\">Cinthia Ane\u2019 McGreevy<\/a> is an experienced agent in Florida who works with 80% more single-family homes than the average agent in her area. In her years as an agent, she thinks the best advice is for potential homebuyers to \u201ccreate a monthly budget and really stick to it; that way you can put money aside.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not great at saving each month, some of our tips will help you get on track. There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach to saving money for a house, but with a bit of trial and error, you\u2019ll be able to find something that works for you.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how you can put your plans to save money for a house into action.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21540\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21540\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A house you can save money for.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-apartment.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21540\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Filios Sazeides \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>1. Downsize your house right now<\/h2>\n<p>Are you renting a 2,000-square-foot luxury apartment? The bells and whistles may be nice, but your monthly rent payment could hurt your ability to save for a house. Most financial experts advise people to keep their monthly housing costs at less than 30% of their pre-tax income.<\/p>\n<p>Consider moving to a smaller place, which will likely include lower utility payments. Bonus: Find a place that\u2019s closer to work, saving you money on your commute.<\/p>\n<p>Once you downsize, be disciplined about saving the money that used to go to rent into the savings account you\u2019ve designated for your down payment.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Rent some space out<\/h2>\n<p>Downsizing is easier said than done if you have a lease that you can\u2019t break. But if you have a spare bedroom, you can always think about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-to-rent-your-house\/\">renting it out<\/a>. Roommates may come with their own problems, but it\u2019s only temporary until you can buy your own place.<\/p>\n<p>In some cities, a parking space is valuable in its own right. If you\u2019ve got an extra spot in your driveway, or would be willing to park on the street, listing it on Craigslist or Nextdoor could bring in several hundred dollars per month.<\/p>\n<p>Even an extra space to set up and work during the day could be worth exploring in this day and age. Maybe your landlord doesn\u2019t allow sublets or roommates, but you could get around this by renting out your space during the day to someone who needs a home office.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Make it happen automatically<\/h2>\n<p>If you struggle with saving money out of your paycheck, or spend everything in your checking account, try setting up an automatic savings plan.<\/p>\n<p>Many payroll companies will allow you to split your direct deposit between a checking and savings account. Or, you can set it up with your bank to automatically shift your money from one account to another after you get paid. Automatically withdrawing or diverting funds into an investment or savings account makes it easier to reach your savings goals.<\/p>\n<p>If you still find yourself transferring money back into checking, or making withdrawals from savings, Ane&#8217; McGreevy advises taking it a step further.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOpen and make deposits into a savings account at a different bank \u2014 don\u2019t have checks, don\u2019t have an ATM card; have it sitting there where it\u2019s a little bit more complicated to get it out so that it\u2019s safe there,\u201d she suggests.<\/p>\n<p>She does this herself, automatically diverting money from her main bank account to the other bank. Having to drive to the branch to take the money out keeps her from spending frivolously.<\/p>\n<p>Technology has made saving a snap in other ways, too. There are numerous apps that round up purchases to a whole dollar and then put the difference in an account, or that save small amounts daily.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/chime-mobile-banking\/id836215269\">Chime<\/a> is one app that rounds up purchases, and they give you a 10% reward on top of your savings, up to $500 a year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qapital.com\/\">Qapital<\/a> gives you more control over your savings \u2014 you decide what triggers the deposit, and they move the money into your savings account.<\/p>\n<p>One neat perk is that you can join forces and save with friends and family towards the same goal. If you bank with Bank of America, enroll in their \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankofamerica.com\/deposits\/keep-the-change\/\">Keep the Change<\/a>\u201d program, which rounds up debit card purchases and transfers the difference to savings.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21541\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21541\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Cash used to save money for a house.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21541\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Karolina Grabowska \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>4. Stash your windfalls<\/h2>\n<p>Any extra money \u2014 birthday gifts, bonuses at work, tax refunds, etc. \u2014 goes into the house savings pot.<\/p>\n<p>Plan on skipping the big splurges like a new TV or couch \u2014 look at it this way, you won\u2019t have to deal with the hassle of moving them when you finally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-closing-day-tips\/\">close on your new home<\/a>!<\/p>\n<h2>5. Press pause on retirement savings<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019ve been saving for retirement, think about pausing or reducing your contributions. For many people, their home is a part of their retirement plan. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/using-your-home-equity-for-retirement-income\/\">equity it builds over the years<\/a> can fund your golden years. And buying at a younger age gives your home more time to grow in value.<\/p>\n<p>If you do cut or stop contributing to your 401(k) or other retirement account, make sure you don\u2019t spend that money. If you were contributing 4% of your paycheck, consider following the above advice and just automatically redirecting that 4% to a savings account.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moneymanagement.org\/about\/speakers-bureau\/tara-alderete\">Tara Alderete<\/a>, Director of Enterprise Learning at Money Management International, a non-profit which provides financial counseling and education, has a word of caution about this approach. \u201cThe time value of money is a big consideration when you\u2019re saving for a long-term goal like retirement,\u201d she says. \u201cAsk yourself: When I look at this big-picture, what\u2019s going to yield the best result over time?\u201d If possible, try to save simultaneously for retirement <i>and<\/i> a home.<\/p>\n<p>Another caveat \u2014 if your employer matches your savings, think long and hard about this plan, and seek out alternatives if possible. You\u2019d essentially be giving up free money, so try to keep depositing up to the match amount!<\/p>\n<h2>6. Borrow from retirement savings<\/h2>\n<p>Most 401(k) plans allow you to take out a loan against your retirement fund specifically to contribute towards a down payment. These loans have low interest rates, and you won\u2019t incur penalties for early withdrawals as long as you remain employed at the company.<\/p>\n<p>The amount you can borrow is capped at a percentage of the balance, but you could already have several thousand dollars of your down payment available to you.<\/p>\n<p>If you lose your job or leave the company, you will have to repay the loan or face tax penalties. After you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-long-does-it-take-to-close-on-a-house\/\">close on your house<\/a>, it\u2019s a good idea to make repaying the loan a priority.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21542\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21542\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Food eaten while saving money for a house.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-food.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21542\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Ella Olsson \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>7. Take a hard look at your food expenditures<\/h2>\n<p>This is one of the biggest opportunities to save money \u2014 learn how to cook!<\/p>\n<p>Eating out can be a significant expense. Pack a lunch for the office, and cut back on alcohol.<\/p>\n<p>And don\u2019t just cook: plan your menus. Alderete says that organization is key to sticking to a food budget.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSit down, make a menu of items you want to cook this week and the ingredients you\u2019ll need, make a grocery list and stick to it,\u201d she advises. Cutting back on expensive meats and pre-made items can save you even more money.<\/p>\n<p>Worried about your social life? Try organizing cooking parties with your friends, where you all buy the ingredients and learn how to make sushi together. Or plan events that don\u2019t revolve around eating out at a restaurant or ordering takeout.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Think (and cut) big<\/h2>\n<p>Putting together a down payment for a house may require some short-term sacrifices. Think about scaling back on vacation plans, or visiting family and staying in a spare bedroom. Downsize your luxury vehicle for a serviceable but cheaper model with a lower monthly payment, or sell your car and bike or walk to work.<\/p>\n<p>Put off any major purchases while saving for a house. As a bonus, avoiding taking on new debt will help you maintain your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-minimum-credit-score-to-buy-a-house\/\">credit score<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Think (and cut) small<\/h2>\n<p>Deciding to stay home instead of heading to the beach could save you a couple of thousand dollars in airfare, car rental, and a hotel \u2014 fast gratification when you see the bump in your down payment savings account. But don\u2019t forget about the small stuff.<\/p>\n<p>How many streaming services do you subscribe to, and do you really watch them all? Get a library card instead of buying new books. Make your own coffee at home and skip the $5 latte. Buy some exercise equipment and work out at home instead of paying for a monthly gym membership.<\/p>\n<p>Ane\u2019 McGreevy advises writing every item down. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing how much the little items can add up,\u201d she says. Cutting out coffee and the gym could save you $160 a month!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21543\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21543\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A casino you should avoid while saving for a house.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-casino.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21543\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Kay \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>10. Eliminate your expensive bad habits<\/h2>\n<p>Smoking and excessive drinking aren\u2019t just bad for your health \u2014 they\u2019re also bad for your finances. Their habit costs smokers in the United States an average of <a href=\"https:\/\/wallethub.com\/edu\/the-financial-cost-of-smoking-by-state\/9520\">$1,700 to $3,000 a year<\/a>, depending on their state\u2019s taxes. The average drinker in each state spends anywhere from <a href=\"https:\/\/alcohol.org\/guides\/cost-of-drinking-alcohol-by-city\/\">$57,000 to more than $121,000 <\/a>on alcohol in their lifetime.<\/p>\n<p>Avoiding gambling or card games with friends is another way to put free money back in your account. Even $100 every week at the casino adds up quickly!<\/p>\n<h2>11. Negotiate a raise<\/h2>\n<p>Negotiating a raise can be tricky, but if it\u2019s time for your performance review, use it to request a pay bump. Before meeting with your boss or human resources, put together a list of your accomplishments. Document your case, and use strong evidence to back up claims such as \u201cI\u2019ve been a top performer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you do get a raise, don\u2019t spend it. Divert the difference between your old paycheck and your new amount into savings.<\/p>\n<h2>12. Find a side hustle<\/h2>\n<p>A side hustle can be a great way to stash some extra cash. To determine the best side hustle for you, think about your hobbies and interests, demand in your area, and how much free time you have.<\/p>\n<p>Drive delivery or sign up for one of the many rideshare apps. Offer baby-sitting services to friends and family, or turn your hobby into cash on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/\">Etsy<\/a>. Sign up to be a dog walker or pet sitter.<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s not easy to work two jobs, it\u2019s only temporary. And it could get you into your dream home even sooner!<\/p>\n<h2>13. Refinance current loans<\/h2>\n<p>Existing debt won\u2019t prevent you from qualifying for a mortgage, but it could make it harder to save. A high interest rate or large monthly payments will reduce the amount you are able to save each month.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a car loan or student loans, you could look into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-mortgage-refinance\/\">refinancing<\/a> them to pay less each month. Sometimes you can reduce your monthly payment by extending your repayment term. You can also bundle any credit card debt onto a low-interest-rate plan.<\/p>\n<p>Reducing your debt service helps you reach your goal of homeownership sooner.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21544\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21544\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Cash used to save money for a house.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/plans-to-save-money-for-a-house-cash-1.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21544\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Karolina Grabowska \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>14. Raise some funds<\/h2>\n<p>Consider asking friends or family for money. Your parents or grandparents might be willing to give you an advance against your inheritance, or to extend a private loan. If you normally exchange gifts at holidays and birthdays with friends, ask if they\u2019d be willing to just give cash.<\/p>\n<p>What if you\u2019re getting discouraged? The sum of money needed for a down payment can look like a ridiculously large amount, or the process could be going slower than you\u2019d like. Alderete\u2019s best advice is to \u201cStart small, look at your milestones, and let your momentum build.\u201d A little bit of momentum, even if it\u2019s just seeing a hundred dollars a month go into your savings, can keep you moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>You can follow as many of these tips as you\u2019d like, depending on how aggressive you make your savings goal \u2014 whether you want to buy in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-to-save-for-a-house-in-a-year\/\">year<\/a> or in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-to-save-for-a-house-in-3-years\/\">three<\/a>. And if you\u2019re looking for more ideas, download HomeLight\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/guide-save-up-for-house\/\">Guide to Save Up for a House<\/a>. Now go buy yourself a piggy bank. (But don\u2019t spend too much on it!)<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (Clayton Bunn \/ Pexels)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are your plans to save money for a house? If you need some help, check out these fourteen tips to reach your goal of homeownership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":153,"featured_media":21539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[192,620,624],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-buyers","category-buy-house","category-saving-up"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>14 Plans to Save Money for a House (One or More Will Work For You!)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What are your plans to save money for a house? 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