Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (9)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Ride your bike cycle or walk and Save $600. If you normally get a newspaper from one of the machines down the street, walk or ride your bike instead of driving. Save on gas and wear and tear on your automobile. For short errands close to home walking or riding your bike can add up in savings, and you’re doing your body good at the same time.  Nice, that’s probably another thing on your New Year’s resolution list. Better health. No need for the gym if you literally run, walk or bike your errands. That would make it even more of a savings if you cut out the gym and did more working out in a natural setting.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (8)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Quit Smoking and Save $2,000. It’s no surprise that quitting smoking is often on a smoker’s New Year’s resolution list. Doing so not only will improve that smoker’s health but also his or her bottom line. Experts estimate that the average smoker spends about $2,000 a year on smokes. That’s not chump change.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (7)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Improve How You Heat and Cool Your Home and Save $500. Caulking up leaking windows saves on both heating and cooling. So does improving insulation in your attic and installing a programmable thermostat. Even though you might spend on materials for these home improvement projects, you’ll see savings on your energy bills, by as much as $500 in a year. Some electric companies have free energy audits, with refunds for people who upgrade their insulation or energy efficiency.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (6)

Michael Petruccelli says: Drive Smarter and Save $900. According to U.S. Department of Energy’s website on fuel economy, driving smarter and improving your car’s fuel economy by 10 miles per gallon can save you more than $900 in a year. Cleaning out your car on a weekly basis makes a lot of sense for saving money, too. According to FuelEconomy.gov, a website for the U.S. Department of Energy, toting around 100 extra pounds in your trunk can reduce your car’s efficiency by up to two percent. (FYI, a fully loaded golf bag weighs about 50 pounds.)

Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (5)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Give Up Bottled Water and Save $1,400. Do you have a reusable bottle at home? I got one because of its lifetime guarantee. By using one instead of buying individual bottles of water, you’ll save about $1,400 a year.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (4)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Pack Your Lunch and Save $1,800.  If grownups took a page from their school days and packed a healthy lunch, and snacks too, they would save $1,800 a year. That’s because if you buy lunch out every day (cheaply, I might add), you spend more than $150 each month for that convenience. Sure, it’s nice to have someone else make you lunch, but I like the idea of $1,800 in my bank account at the end of the year better.