Any Downpayment Tips?

I've been thinking a lot lately about buying a house, and how much money it seems to take! I feel like it's going to take forever to build up a downpayment!! Now, how big a priority is it for me? Hmmm. I'm working my way through graduate school, and I'm saving for car repairs for a car with 150K+. There are other things I want to do, too, like travel. Can I have it all?

I've been thinking about whether to raise my salary or lower my standard of living. Saving money is a great thing, but my saving goals are spreading my money pretty thin at the moment. Should I go for one goal at a time, or is it okay to put smaller amounts in several goals for a longer amount of time?

Finishing graduate school is top on my list of financial goals, and it has the possibility of helping me raise my salary. Car repairs could be needed at any time, but then a newer used car will probably be next on my goals list.

Long Time, No Post

It's been a while since I've posted! Life has a way of shifting priorities. I'm about to start my second year of grad school in library science, so G. and I have continued to enjoy the convenience of apartment living. I still have a couple more years of grad school, and after that, I'd love to stay at the same library with a professional position, but want to stay open to the possibilities.

In the mean time, I have started a new home downpayment savings account. It's oh-so-small right now, but it'll grow in time, and more quickly once I'm out of school!