Between gas, maintenance, insurance, and any monthly payments you need to make, cars are expensive! If you're able to carpool or take public transportation to get around, you'll likely save thousands each year. You might even consider selling your car and learning to live without one. If you sell your car, put that money right into savings. It'll give you a big boost and get you that much closer to your new house! If you need to drive to commute to work and get around each day, try to choose an energy-efficient car. You can also do multiple errands on each trip out of the house to limit how often you turn that key in the ignition. If you have student loans, a home or car loan, or credit card debt, contact your creditors. See if you qualify for lower interest rates or programs that could reduce the overall amount you'll pay in the long run. You can also make an appointment with a financial advisor to discuss your options. Replace all the old bulbs in your home with CFL or LED bulbs. You can also unplug any electrical devices as soon as you're done using them. During summer months, aim for a temperature of 78F (26C) when you're home, and raise the temperature about 10-15 degrees when you leave. In the winter, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable for you and your family. Lower it by 10-15 degrees when you're away from the house. To make the house cooler in the summer, run fans in the rooms you're hanging out in. Be sure to turn them off when you leave, though. To trap in heat, weatherproof your doors and windows. While going out for a drink with friends may be the perfect way to relax at the end of a long week, those bar tabs can add up. So can trips to the movies and your monthly cable bills! Treat outings as special treats and limit them to once per month. Cancel your cable and catch up on your favorite shows with Internet-streaming services, which are generally much cheaper. To systematically cut back on leisure costs, calculate how much you spend on "fun" during 1 month. In the next month, try to cut that number in half. to cut back on grocery trips and food costs. The more you can cook at home instead of eating out, the more you'll save. Planning meals will not only help you have more home-cooked meals, it'll also help you stay organized at the grocery store. This will reduce the number of trips you make and limit the random purchases you tend to make on aisle 5. Saving money is a lot easier when it's mindless! Contact your bank or use a mobile app to automatically transfer the exact amount you need to save for your house from checking to savings each month. When you can, you should also deposit things like bonuses, tax returns, and other cash windfalls right into your savings account.
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One-sentence summary -- Cut down on driving when you can. Look into refinancing or consolidating your debt. Improve your energy efficiency. Spend less on fun and entertainment. Plan meals Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account.

Look for whole flaxseed if you have access to a coffee grinder or small powerful blender, like a Ninja or Bullet, as whole flaxseed will pass through your body without being digested and you will not get the healthy benefits of this superfood. Buying ground flaxseed is also a good option as you will not have to grind the flaxseed yourself. You can also use a mortar and pestle to grind up the flaxseed. Don't worry about making the flaxseed very fine or ground, simple break up the seeds so they form smaller pieces that your body can digest. You can put the ground flaxseed in a liquid or consume it with a liquid on the side. Your intestines may be obstructed if you consume flaxseed without enough water or liquid. Soaking the ground seeds will give them a soft, chewy texture that blends well in your smoothie or juice. Put one heaping spoonful of ground flaxseed in a bowl. Pour enough water to submerge the seeds and cover the bowl. Leave the flaxseed to soak overnight. Add the swollen seeds to your morning smoothie or juice. Blend or stir them into the smoothie or juice. Flaxseed has a nutty flavor that pairs well with fruit and vegetable smoothies. Ground flaxseed also pairs well with low fat yogurt or sugar free cereal. You can also add ground flaxseed to hot oatmeal for a nutty and healthy kick. Toast the ground flaxseed in the oven on a sheet pan or in a small toaster oven. Be sure not to burn the flaxseed. Sprinkle them on your salads and soups for a crunchy, nutty taste. Ground flaxseed is a great option for a low carb, high fiber diet. Using flaxseed in muffins, cookies, and cakes gives your baked goods a nice moist texture that is also good for you. Try this one minute flax muffin recipe. Mix ground flaxseed with teaspoon baking powder, teaspoon Stevia (or other sugar supplement), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a mug or small, microwave safe bowl. Microwave the mug or bowl for one minute on high. You also add frozen fruit like frozen blueberries or strawberries to the mixture. If you include frozen fruit, microwave the mug or bowl for one and a half minutes on high. Put a small amount of butter on the muffin and enjoy a low carb, high fiber snack. The ground flaxseed will keep for several months in an airtight container. Keeping whole seeds in the refrigerator will keep them fresh and ready for grinding.
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One-sentence summary --
Buy ground flaxseed in bulk. Grind whole flaxseed in a coffee grinder before use. Consume ground flaxseed with other liquids. Soak the seeds before you put them in smoothies or juices. Sprinkle flaxseeds on your yogurt or cereal. Add toasted flaxseed to salads and soups. Bake flaxseeds in muffins, cookies, and cakes. Keep ground flaxseed in an airtight container. Refrigerate whole seeds.