HowStuffWorks "10 Tips for Staying on Budget"

Focus on Savings

Major Purchases

The most common major purchases are homes and vehicles. If you're buying a home, you'll probably be expected to make a down payment of 20 percent, or to take a second mortgage to cover the down payment. If you can make the down payment without a loan, you'll have a significantly lower payment each month. The same goes for vehicles. Creative and managed budgeting can help you make a larger down payment and have a much lower monthly payment for years to come.

By now, you've set up your budget. You know how much money you have. But you could still use some help staying on budget. Here are some tips that can help you stick to your budget and get ahead on that major purchase:

Determine the amount of your budget that you can afford to save each month. Have it direct-deposited to your savings account, or to your mutual fund. Wherever you decide to keep your savings, make sure you put money into it every month. That savings will make a big difference for you later.