Naturally Saving...

Spending much of our time at home now I have realized that we are saving a ton of money. I know that we are fortunate in that our pay isn't yet affected by the global fiasco, but even so I have realized that now is a good time to be squirreling away the pennies that we are saving by simply being home. 

If your goal is buying a home and you are short on closing costs and down payment funds - now is a perfect time to cinch up the belt loops and get out your piggy bank. Here are a few things we are naturally saving money on simply by being at home during this time. 

* Coffee. We LOVE our coffee outings. Be it Caribou or Starbucks or Dunn Bros... we are tempted every time we head to town. Right now we are saving 3 drinks at least 3 times a week. It doesn't seem like it should, but that will add up in a short time! And, I hate to admit how often we add a treat for the kids on top. 

* Gas/Transportation. Because my "round trips" to the office, the kids activities, outings in general and even church have pretty much halted... AND that gas prices have dropped substantially we are saving around $50-$100 a week. Again, it doesn't feel like a lot, but after a couple of months that will really add up. 

* Activities. Seeing as the gym is closed. The theatres are closed. The karate studio is closed. All fun places (museums/zoos/etc) are closed... I have a bit of spare change that I'm naturally saving just by staying home. Really it's not even hard because nothing is open. We are all missing out of the fun together. 

* Eating out. I know some people are still getting out for takeout quite a bit, but we live on the skirted edges of town. It's kinda of harder to get in the car to go get food than to just stay home. Going from eating out a couple times a week to nothing is saving me a bundle. 

So, if I squirrel away what I would typically spend on these items? By the time we are released back into the mainstream highway of living I would have a substantial reserve ready! Right now our extra is going toward some housing updates. It is kind of exciting to think how quickly it will add up.

Maybe... if you are looking at buying a home you can find the money savers that have naturally entered our economy and by putting away those dollars you could be ready to purchase a home by summer!