{Life on a Budget} Saving for Our Dream Life

Neal and I had a goal of buying a house in five years. Then we bumped it up to ten years since we also want to have more kids.  Even though we had expanded our timeline, we still liked to drive around neighborhoods and look at open houses, seeing what we could get for what price in what area.

Last weekend we were driving around and stopped by an open house on a whim. It turned out to be our dream house, right there in front of us.  Every single aspect was perfect.  The layout, the style, the fact that is was a fixer upper and we could make it into what we wanted.  Rooms for future babies and space for visiting parents.  A backyard to have barbecues in and watch the kids and Juneau run around.  A family room that was perfect for holidays and future sleepovers.  We were smitten.

The price, for our area, was actually really good.  It was $788,000.  I know for most areas of the country that is insane for a three bedroom fixer upper, but for the Bay Area, that is amazing.  The problem is, Neal and I don't have anything. We're starting at zero, or actually less than zero, since we're still paying off debt Neal got in his divorce.

We felt the sting of disappointment, and it hurt like a mother.  We both regret financial decisions we've made in the past, and are working hard to fix them.  Seeing this dream house that would have been within reach but wasn't was the exact kick in the pants we needed to refocus on our goals and get serious.

Months ago, we had hashed out a budget for when we finally move in together in April and eventually get married.  We had tightened things up, but were definitely letting ourselves be pretty comfortable. That budget was to accomplish getting a house and having another baby in five - ten years.  That is hardly getting real and trying to accomplish our dreams.

One thing I love about Neal, among many, is that he's a dreamer, like me.  And he's also a planner, like me.  When you put those two things together, you can really be unstoppable.  Neal and I decided that we are going to commit to saving $100,000 in twenty-six months, and we're going to get a house at the end of that time frame.  It means sacrifice, but we're dedicated.  It means no more clothes shopping, going out to dinner, and getting each other gifts.  It means stretching that grocery budget past what we'd probably like (hello, Kraft mac and cheese!).  Those things aren't hard to give up, though, if doing those things will get us to where we want so quickly.

I'll be posting our actual budget and expenses soon, and lots of updates on our progress.  This will be an adventure, for sure, but there's no one I'd rather do this with than Neal.  I'm excited and a little nervous!

Mostly excited. :)

Where all of the budget magic happens.