It’s certainly worth the wait and effort, but saving up for a down payment on a house can feel like it’ll take forever!
If only there were a fast-forward button… (Or a surefire way to win the lottery!)
…but there’s not. It simply takes time and patience.
To help you muster up the patience and make the time pass more quickly, here are 9 ideas to help you get through the time it takes to save up for your new home:
1. Make a (realistic) timeline
Figure out how much you can save per month, determine how long it’ll take you to get to your down payment goal, then work your plan.
2. Try to look at the big picture
When you take a step back and look at your goals in terms of years instead of days, you start to understand that good things take time.
3. Block all the real estate listing websites on your browser
Don’t drive yourself crazy while you’re saving. Block out the triggers and distractions and keep your eyes on the prize.
4. Keep track of your progress
If you check your progress every month or every few weeks, you’ll see that you’re actually making progress and getting closer to your goals.
5. Build a piece of furniture for your future home
There’s nothing better than working with your hands to clear your mind. And who knows, you just might realize you’ve got a knack for it.
6. Get a side hustle
Not only can finding a side gig help you reach your savings goals faster, it can also keep you busy and your mind occupied while you work toward your goals.
7. Meditate
If you can learn to clear your mind, you’ll learn patience, feel better, and avoid stress as you save.
8. Cancel your HGTV cable channel subscription
Seeing the joys of homeownership crammed into beautiful thirty minute segments isn’t helpful to those trying to be patient, so make sure you cut the cord.
9. Remember the goal
Keep going with your goal in mind, and whenever the going gets tough, remember why you’re being patient. If you can tie your efforts to the outcome, then the journey won’t seem quite as bad.
