With the economy like it is, most people think it’s impossible to save more money. Yet, everyday, we hear tons of success story of people being able to save more money. If this is you, here’s what you need.

Trimming your expenses is actually quite easy, but you need to first keep track of them. The easiest way is actually to log them as they come in. It sounds cumbersome but it’s much easier than doing it in batches because it’s very overwhelming.

Most people think it’s time consuming to keep a budget but it’s actually easy once you set it up. Sure, it takes time at the beginning but when it’s working right, it’s easy to go through it each day or week.

Most people don’t think of consolidating your debt to save money, but this is one of the more effective ways to conserve cash. If you have high interest loans anywhere, just move them to a lower rate account.

Driving less seem trivial but with some careful planning, you can really save a ton of gas and save lots of money in the meantime. With gas prices going back up these days, a little planning can mean big bucks.

Clipping coupons used to be a mom only hobby but it’s becoming a national trend. Whether it’s online retailers, grocery stores or Best Buy, you can find coupons to save more money.

Stop worrying about what others will think and just get a smaller house. With property taxes and all the cleaning services that you pay for, you will save lots. Additionally, less area means a smaller space for air conditioning.

Some people’s monthly service bills are outrageous. Do you really need two different gym memberships? Are you aware that you can probably lose weight if only you cut out your cable bill and exercised more?

Let your creativity shine by thinking of how to do everything for free. Whether it’s software or activities, there’s probably a free version out there. Imagine a world where everything is free. How can you not save money?

One problem plaguing excited first time home buyers is the deposit for the house of their dreams. If you are one of them, this problem can be resolved with a little help from family or friends or the First Time Homebuyer Credit. But all these are just the beginning of your new life as a homeowner and your responsibilities is just starting.

If you have never owned a home before, you may be eligible for first time buyer programs with government insured loans. These programs often have less stringent requirements for credit ratings and down payments than private lenders. If you are comfortable with your current rent payment, shop for a mortgage payment that will be about the same as your rent. A mortgage payment will help you build equity, a rent payment will not.

Calculate how much you can comfortably afford to spend on your mortgage each month. Deduct your down payment from the amount of the purchase price of the home and determine whether the payments on the home you are considering will be manageable. You need to set a strict limit and stick to it, no matter how tempting it may be to spend more. Tell your realtor your top price and advise him you don’t want to look at homes that cost more. Realtors make money on commissions and the more expensive the house they sell, the high their commission. Don’t let your realtor talk you into a house you can’t afford.

Don’t sign a contract on a house without knowing all the facts. If you put down a deposit and there is a problem with the home inspection or the title search, you deposit will be refunded and the contract canceled. Take the time to get the home inspection before turning over your full down payment.

Take a look at the required deposit and the disadvantages of having insufficient funds for the deposit. If you do not have the amount, the lender will slap on the insurance fee on the mortgage, increasing the mortgage amount by as much as $20,000. A no deposit mortgage may be tempting for professionals who can service the mortgage but cannot save for a deposit. Take note that these no-deposit loans have more requirements and there are still the standard fees to pay.

Closing costs include the points that buyers and sellers pay on the mortgage, the cost of title searches and home inspections and any unpaid property taxes. If the home requires repairs, the lender may also require that either the buyer or seller put money in an escrow account to cover the costs. Putting an offer in on a home doesn’t insure the sale will go through. Your lender may find a problem with the home and refuse the loan. You can try again with another lender if the problem isn’t too serious.

It is possible to compare the terms offered by different lenders online. There are websites that offer mortgage comparisons as a service to the public. The best mortgages for most people are fixed rate mortgages of 20 or 30 years. Adjustable rate mortgages can cause your monthly payments to go up suddenly, and balloon mortgages can cause refinance problems later.

Once you have looked into the financial aspects of buying a house, you are ready to start looking at houses. Make sure you understand what your monthly payments on any given house will be before you decide it’s your dream house. Not all dreams are pleasant and you don’t want to end up with a nightmare.