Update: I was saving for a house in Austin by cutting my own hair and skipping coffee for a year.

My buddy asked me what my actual down payment goal was and I realized I had no clue, I was just hoarding cash. Has anyone else gotten stuck just saving without a real target number?

3 comments

3 Comments

jordan_webb1mo agoTop Commenter

Skipping coffee is one thing, but cutting your own hair for a whole year? That's some serious dedication right there. It's easy to fall into the trap of just stacking money without a finish line. You really need to figure out what houses are actually selling for in the areas you like. A quick talk with a realtor or lender would give you a real number to aim for, instead of just guessing.

mila_brown101mo ago

Cutting your own hair is not that deep, jordan_webb. People act like skipping a salon visit is some huge sacrifice. It's just hair, it grows back. The real talk with a realtor part is solid advice though. Guessing at numbers is a sure way to get stuck.

ryan3691mo ago

Ever read that thing about how a goal without a plan is just a wish? That's what you're doing with your cash. You gotta get a real number from a lender to make your saving mean something. Otherwise you're just spinning your wheels.