Here are a few tips to help you save money on your housing costs:

1. Don't pay for space you don't need. American's have large houses and apartments compared to the rest of the civilized world. How much do you really need? Consider using space you have more efficiently or purchasing/renting an area with less square footage.
   
2. Live near where you work. It is not always possible to find a place near where you work, but the closer the better. Driving 5,000 miles less per year can lower you transportation costs by more than $1,000. And gas prices are always on the rise!
   
3. Refinance your mortgage to a lower rate. Refinancing your mortgage can save you a lot of money. A 15-year $100,000 fixed-rate mortgage that is lowered from 7% to 6.5% can save you more than $5,000 in interest charges over the life of the loan. More, for every $100,000 you borrow at 7%, you will pay over $75,000 less in interest on a 15-year versus a 30-year mortgage.
   
4. Carefully select your contractors. Contractors who have successfully performed work for you or your friends/relatives in the past are the best ones to use. Insist on a written, fixed-price bid before any work is started and don't make full payment until the work is done satisfactory and on time.