Top Highlights

• (Save up for it and then buy it when you have the cash.)
• Whatever your situation, your total "housing" monthly cost should be approximately 20% of your "net" income or "take home pay."
• It is critical to "pay yourself first." Yes, that's right. One rule of thumb is to have 10% taken out of your check, before you even see it, and then live off the rest.
• RECOMMENDATIONS to reduce costs: Use only one credit card and fully pay it off each month. If you can't pay cash for something that month, don't buy it. Save towards it and buy it when you have the cash.