When we think about the "American Dream" buying a home is certainly a core element. At least that's what I've been told. However, far too often I find people getting tempted into buying a home that's way too big for their bank account because society says, "you should buy a house you can grow into." I can tell you first hand that is a dangerous statement. When your home (or your mortgage payment) is bigger than your bank account the risks can far out weight the benefits.    On This Podcast Episode: Let's discuss the dangerous of buying a house bigger than you need How to define your ideal home What are some factors you should consider to buy the right home for you How can you balance your goals with your mortgage payment Life lessons I learned from the all too real lifestyle creep Why you need to make smart home buying decisions (and how to correct not so smart ones) Links Mentioned: Wall St. Journal Article Thanks for Tuning In: Thanks for tuning in to listen to this episode of Millennial Money. Every listen means so much to us. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media using the hashtag #millennialmoneypodcast. Also, please leave an honest review for Millennial Money on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and much appreciated! You’re awesome! Want More: Shannah on Twitter Shannah on Instagram Disclosure: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) and financial strategies may be appropriate for you, consult your financial adviser prior to investing. There is no assurance that the techniques and strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices