How to Buy A Home In Sioux Falls Sooner

I want to buy a home in Sioux Falls but I don't have the money for the down payment. I hear this time and again and I am sure you do too. In a world where it seems that everyone has their hand in your pocketbook it is possible to save money if you are just a little creative. So without further adieu I will give you a list of things that you could consider to make the transition to saving easier.

1. Cut the cable and stuff the dish....how much do you really watch TV? With the use of Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, Youtube and the major networks' own websites you can have all of the streaming content that you would ever want. I canned cable one year ago and haven't missed it...at all. I have saved over $60.00 a month or over $720.00 a year by doing this.

2. The music lives and the subscription ends. At the same time I canned cable I also canned Rhapsody. I was thinking that this would be painful but I found a free alternative on the internet that also allowed me to create playlists. I saved $10.00 a month or $120.00 a year by doing this. Score.

3. Shop around for insurance periodically. By doing this last year and going with a company that gave a discount to a group I belonged to I have saved over $40.00 a month or $500.00 a year.

4. Cook food from scratch and save big ching. By cooking from scratch and not buying convenience food I can afford to actually buy ORGANIC for my family for less then the same cost . I also know what is in my food which is a further savings because it keeps my family healthier. You can eat cheaper but in my opinion this is not something to skimp on...but if you think it is you can save even more.

5. Food co-ops can also save cash. I buy organic food 1/3 off from what it is in the local grocery store from a food coop called Azure Standard. I also buy meat from a local coop at a savings.

6. If you want to save further on food you can always grow your own. With a minimum of space you can have a container garden which will keep you in veggies from spring to fall. To further your bounty you can plant a full garden and freeze or can the abundance. Even if you just plant a pot of lettuce you could save $4.00 a week or $16.00 a month during temperate weather. If you plant a whole garden and preserve it you could save considerably more.

7. Wash in cold. By washing what you can in cold you can save over half of the cost of washing research shows. To save further you can either only wash when you have a full load or you can use the correct size load selector if your machine is so equipped. Hang to dry for further savings.

8. If you really want to be green with laundry you can get a WonderWash and a spin dryer. I have a good friend that is single and swears by her WonderWash. Here is a link to check out. I know this is not for everyone but it could be workable in certain situations.

   http://www.amazon.com/The-Laundry-Alternative-Wonderwash-SpinDryer/dp/B002C8HR9A
   

9. Ditch the cleaning products. Invest in a steam cleaner and use the power of steam to save you $$$. If the steam doesn't do it vinegar and water cleans most everything with exception of wood floors, no wax floors and stone surfaces.

10. You can make your own laundry soap with three simple ingredients if you are interested and it works well. I learned to do this during college when I was raising two kids on my own. The cost of Tide per load was about 20cents and if you use this tip you can get costs down to 2 cents a load.

11. Believe it or not you can make your own toiletries and save big money. I wash my face with honey. I brush my teeth with baking soda. I use aloe vera gel as the perfect makeup base. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer for lips and skin. You can even wash your hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. Everything I use is chemical free, cheap and edible!

12. Buy it used. This can include cars, clothes, newer appliances, jewelry, furniture, really most anything. Craigslist is a awesome resource for this.

13. Get it for free. Freecycle is a organization that allows people to list what they have and don't need or ask for what they need. No money exchanges hands, trash stays out of the dump and people are directly helped. What could be better then that?!

    http://www.freecycle.org/
    

14. Barter with friends. If you need a sitter exchange times with another family that also needs a sitter. If you need a dress for one special occasion just borrow from a friend.

15. Garage sales are awesome if you can't find something for free or on Craigslist.

16. Meatless Mondays save me at least 20.00 a month or 250.00 a year.

17. Drive 55. Leave a little earlier and save big. At 65 mph you're burning 10% more fuel than at 55, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. At 70 you lose 17% of your fuel economy and at 75 it’s 25%. By driving 55 you also dramatically decrease your chances of being in a auto accident.

18. Proper maintenance of motor vehicles such as changing oil and keeping tires properly inflated also increases gas milage and vehicle life.

19. Ditch the home phone and save dough. I ditched mine and saved 250.00 a year. If you have a smartphone go to a basic phone or even a tracphone.

20. Turn up the thermostat to 68, and put on a sweater. Cover the windows with a window treatment for further savings.

21. If you don't use your internet much you could save by ditching your home internet and just using a smartphone.

22. Ditch the gym membership when you don't even use it. I join the gym from November to March every year. From April-November I play tennis, road bike, hike, kayak and dog walk. By doing this I save $320.00 a year and I get to hang out with friends.

23. Pack a lunch to take to work and eat way healthier. By doing this you can conservatively save $5.00 a day and likely over $1200.00 a year.

24. Buy off season for presents and store it away. If you see something at a super good price snag it and hide it. This way Christmas will be a pleasure and not a burden.

25. Consolidate loans, ask for discount on credit cards, buy on a cash basis and bank the rest. If you don't have cash you don't buy.

This is just a starter list of ways to save money and to get your mind thinking of other ways. Some of these ideas may work for you and some may not. The important thing is to make little steps to get to your common goal of home ownership. While some of these ideas will not save you huge money individually if you do many of them you will save considerable money. If you have any tried and true money saving ideas I would love it if you would comment too.