Expenses

Actually, no. I wasn't able to save up the full $50,000 down payment on the townhouse. I put $25,000 down, and took out an 80/10/10 (80% mortgage, 10% down, 10% loan) 15 year fixed mortgage. Essentially, it's an 80/20 (20% down, 80% loan) though. I live with one of my friends for the time being, with plans for my girlfriend to move in, but not until July 2008.

I have about $2,500 per month for mortgage, utilities, association fee, and home owners, but with my friend, I charge him $500 for rent and split the rest of the utilities, so he pays me like $650 of it per month.

Then, I had $5,000 toward furniture, so I only put about $10,000 on my credit card for the rest, which is almost $950 per month. All in all, with my car payments and insurance, I'm at around $3,400 per month, which I can afford, and still put about $500 away into savings, and do whatever socializing I want... for the most part.

Still saving is difficult, that's my whole point. And Thanatos, I think you're doing fine for only being 19. My point was that at my age, I wouldn't be doing fine if that was me.

Of course, with a family, I'd sell the townhouse, and buy something larger, since I plan on having children. Although, like you guys said, the big difference would be that I would be splitting ALL the expenses in HALF, rather than at a very discounted portion, as I'm doing right now. It will probably still end up being the same costs as it is now, since I would upgrade, however I plan on making a lot more money by the time that part of my life comes around.