Well, here we are. Another year, another chapter in the homeownership journey—and let me tell you, this one is a doozy. If I could sum up the process of getting ready to buy a home again, it would be laborious, incredible, exhilarating, and eye-opening. But I’ll spare you the full dramatic saga (you’re welcome!). The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of patience—patience with the process and with myself. When setbacks hit, it’s easy to get discouraged, but I’m learning to embrace where I am, reflect on how blessed I truly am, and find reasons to complain less. Because, let’s be real, there’s always something to gripe about—especially when you’re living in a tiny apartment as a family of five.
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Our Tiny Apartment Struggles: The Truth Behind the Complaints
Ah, our little apartment. It’s small but mighty and has suited our needs for a while now. We’ve made it work, and honestly, it’s a roof over our heads—what more could we ask for, right? But when you’re living in a space with five people and only one bathroom, things can get a little… tense. Who thought that would work? I laugh about it now, but let’s just say there have been many close calls over the years. In case you’re wondering, no, we do not have a secret bathroom tucked away somewhere. It’s just pure survival.
And don’t get me started on storage. With three kids, countless toys, crafts, hobbies, and a ridiculous amount of seasonal gear (thanks, Michigan weather!), space starts to feel like a luxury we can’t afford. There’s only so much downsizing you can do when you need to prepare for snow, rain, heatwaves, and tornadoes all in the same week! So yeah, while we have everything we need and more, I’m ready for a little more room to breathe.
Why Weren’t in a Rush to Move Out
Despite feeling cramped, we’ve never been in a rush to move out. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a new home, but there’s something to be said for knowing we’re doing alright. Life with three kids, two cats, and an ever-growing to-do list can feel chaotic, but at the end of the day, we’ve made it work. The frustration of living in a small space isn’t lost on me, but it’s also a reminder of how blessed we are to have a safe, comfortable home—even if it’s a little tight.
As our family grows and we start dreaming about our next chapter, it’s clear that we can’t stay here forever. It’s time to make some changes, and we’re preparing ourselves for that next big step: buying a house.
Taking the First Step: Financial Planning for Our Future
When it comes to buying a house, it’s not just about finding the right place to call home. There’s a whole lot of prep work that goes into it—and most of it involves the dreaded finances. One of the first things on our list is improving our credit scores. Not the most glamorous part of the process, but definitely one of the most important.
Juggling high rent, kids, cars, groceries, and the miscellaneous expenses of life can make it feel like debt multiplies faster than I can say “budgeting.” It sneaks up on you—until you realize you’re spending money in places you didn’t even know existed. Just when you think you’re getting ahead, a car repair or surprise medical bill pops up to throw the whole plan off track.
The good news is that we’ve kept our debt in check, but we’ve committed to cleaning up our finances and focusing on saving because, let’s face it, getting a new home won’t be cheap.
How We’re Saving for Our Dream Home
I’ve always been someone who thrives on planning, so budgeting is nothing new to me. Since leaving my mom’s house and joining the military; stepping into adulthood, I’ve had a love-hate relationship with spreadsheets and expense tracking. But it wasn’t until my best friend—who bought a house and 30 acres of land in her early 30s—showed me what true financial planning looks like, that I really got serious about it. Watching her take control of her finances and make big dreams a reality inspired me to step my game up.
Here’s what we’re doing: We’ve committed to saving at least $100 per week. While it might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, it adds up. Every week, we track what’s coming in (work, side gigs, and any other income), calculate our expenses, and figure out where we can cut back. But, no matter what, we always make sure we have a solid savings goal, whether weekly or bi-weekly.
Here’s a quick rundown of my budgeting process:
- Track Everything: I write down every dollar that comes in and out. I’m old-school with pen and paper, but I later transitioned to an Excel spreadsheet. But you could use a budgeting app if you prefer. The key is consistency.
- Prioritize Needs Over Wants: While it’s tempting to splurge on things we don’t need like shopping sprees and plants (speaking from experience), we focus on essentials—rent, utilities, food, transportation—and then the little extras.
- Set a Weekly Savings Goal: Whether it’s $100 or $50, the point is to save something every week, no matter how small. This helps build momentum toward our bigger goal: buying a home.
- Adjust as Needed: Life is unpredictable, so we’ve learned to be flexible. If we need to adjust our savings goal one week to cover an emergency, so be it. Again, the key is consistency.
Looking Ahead: Our Dream Home Is Within Reach
The truth is, buying a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional investments we’ll ever make, no matter how many times we do it. But with the right planning, patience, and a little grit, we’re confident we’ll get there. It won’t happen overnight, but with our goal-setting mindset, we’re setting ourselves up for success. I’m excited to share this journey with you all.
2025 is a year of growth and new beginnings, and we’re determined to make it the year we find the home of our dreams. It might take a little more time and effort than we initially anticipated, but with every setback, we’re learning, growing, and preparing for what’s ahead.
If you’re in the midst of your own home search—or just trying to get your finances in order—know that you’re not alone. Whether it’s saving a little each week, setting realistic goals, or staying patient with the process, the key is to keep moving forward. With perseverance, your dream home might be closer than you think.
If you’re ready to start your own journey toward homeownership, let’s chat! I’d love to hear your stories, share tips, and cheer you on as you tackle your 2025 goals. Let’s make this year a year of growth, new beginnings, and the next big chapter of our lives!
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