Budgeting basics for first-time home buyers

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You wouldn’t dream of going somewhere you’ve never been before without first getting directions. So, why would you go through life without a plan to help meet your financial goals?

“An ongoing household budget is essential, whether it’s helping you save for retirement or buy your first house,” says Eric Hamilton, president of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance. “A budget can help you avoid common mistakes along the way by helping you live within your means while planning for the future.”

If you’ve never had a budget before, you may be unsure how to begin. Building a budget can be easy as long as you follow a few simple steps:

• Establish your financial goals. Do you want to be debt free? Buy a new home? Build an emergency fund? Save for retirement? Setting financial goals can help guide the budgeting process.
• Determine your total monthly household income. This should include net income (the final amount of take-home pay after all taxes and deductions) for every working member of the household, including any government aid received, child support, alimony, pensions, etc. Knowing the total income gives you a starting point for your budget.
• Calculate your monthly expenses. It may be helpful to break expenses into categories, such as home, utilities, long term debt, medical, auto, groceries and personal. Personal can include items like clothing, entertainment, dining out, etc. It is helpful to review your cash spending, bank statements and receipts over the past few months to give you a better idea of your spending habits. Check with your bank for tools offered, such as online banking or a mobile app to track of spending on the go.
• Identify where you can reduce spending. After you’ve assessed your spending habits, you might be surprised to find areas where you can cut back. Small changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference to your budget. For example, instead of buying lunch every day, you could take your lunch to work or school.
• Less spending means saving more money. Be sure to set aside these new freed-up funds and allocate them toward your goals. If you’re trying to save for a new home or down payment, view your personal savings as a must-pay fund that’s as important as your rent or car payment.
• Periodically reassess your budget. Life is full of changes, such as fluctuations in income and shifting priorities. It’s important to go back over your budget from time to time to help ensure you are on track to achieve your financial goals.

Determine if you are financially ready to support a new monthly mortgage payment with Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance’s budget worksheet. Download a copy at www.vmfhomeloan.com.

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., 500 Alcoa Trail, Maryville, TN 37804, 865-380-3000, NMLS #1561, (http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), AZ Lic. #BK-0902616, Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license, GA Residential Mortgage (Lic. #6911), Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, Licensed by the NH Banking Department, MT Lic. #1561, Licensed by PA Dept. of Banking.