<prompt> Human: Throw away because the GF knows my username and may not approve of all I have to say.Recently, while bored at work, I was perusing the online real-estate listings and I stumbled on to what both my GF and I consider to be our dream home. The fact that it is not only acceptable to both of us, but that we are both THRILLED with it is astonishing. We have drastically different desires in a home.I quickly set up a showing and we spent an hour there on Saturday, checking everything out. It was even better in reality. Like all homes, it has an issue or two but nothing that seriously turned either of us away. It will probably need a new roof on the garagemudroom in the next 5-10 years, possibly needs radon mitigation in the basement. Just... house stuff. Only downside I see is that the yard is on the small side for my 2 yo labrador... But, like, people have dogs in the city... she will adapt and be fine.A family friend runs a lending company and is doing up my pre-approval approval right now. I expect it to come back fine. We will focus on my situation and disregard the GF. It sounds mean, but it will be a year or two before she is a contributor. My situation:26 yo72,500 year gross0 debtTake home pay: 3700Automatically, 1000 500 each check goes to savings accounts. Im very good about not touching this which has allowed it to grow rapidly to 18K. Effective take home pay: 2700Current expenses yearlies put to a monthly level:500 groceries200 gas950 rent50 water90 elec65 internet40 car insurance13 renters insurance170 heat 270 year old house, New England. God have mercy on my soul170 auto repairs truck is getting up there in the years70 dog ownership---2400 ishWhich seems about right. The rest is discretionary, mostly eating out and extra tanks of gas for whatever. Some months I throw 100-200 additional towards the savings account. Rarely, if ever, have to withdraw from it and it is usually quickly recovered if I do. New situation, should I buy the house:Same effective take home pay: 2700500 groceries200 gas1700 mortgage tax 6150 year! insurance50 water90 elec65 internet40 car insurance170 heat new house will be MUCH warmer. 30 year old house, passive solar, wood stove, boiler. Leaving it the same for pessimism170 auto repairs70 dog ownership---3100 ishNow, that is 400 over but youll recall I have an additional 1000 a month being put into savings. BUT, there is that 300 of discretionary spending from before as well, so to continue eating out as often as we do, etc, Id probably be at least cutting my savings rate in half to 500Super secret income I always forget about: 300 a month before take home pay goes to employee stock purchase program which makes a killing. For instance, if todays price is the price on one of the twice yearly purchase dates: I will be buying at 23 the market price. Instant 33 profit. Not at lot in there at the moment, 1500. Will go up drastically at the next purchase which I think is September. I think I was at 1 or 2 and I upped it to 5 when I figured out how it worked. 401k: Putting in 8, company match stops at 5. I know, I know: take that 3more after match and put it in an IRA. Im lazy. Sorry. Probably around 35k in there. About the home: Asking price is 209,000 and I honestly feel it is fair. Should I make offer, terms will be seller does closing costs, throws in washer dryer, etc. I anticipate my rate to be around 4.5. Im going to do just 5 down since that is what I have. I can do more but it eats too much of my savings for me to be comfortable. Planning 2.5-3k in new furniture. Anticipate 5-6K left in savings account when the dust settles. Small, but still there.The thing that troubles me: The reduced savings. No matter how I spin it, my saving rate is going to be hit pretty hard. Is 500 to 600 - savings a month enough for a home owner? Ive been stoked about this house all weekend, gearing up to make my offer, but as I run the number more and more Im developing a doom and gloom attitude and Im starting to think I should walk away from my dream first home. : Where is my GF in all of this?? She has probably 80K in student loans. She lives for free with me half of that grocery budget, most of my discretionary is her asking to eat out.... Her current employment is in flux, just graduated with masters degree, looking for a job as elementary school teacher. If she just finds a job and makes her minimums on the loans, car payment, and her cellphone I will be a happy camper. Someday, she will contribute, but Id rather she pay extra to her loans than contribute. TL;DR: Purchasing a first home increases monthly expenses by 750. Cuts drastically into the current savings rate. Only have 5 down yeah yeah yeah. Things Ive thought about dont want to put too much weight on: Tax Refund claiming zero, currently always get a refund, and quarterly bonuses around 1000 gross. Thoughts? Im at a crossroads. Thanks rpersonalfinance !  <response>: How big is the house? Do you have room to take in a roommate or two if something happened to reduce your income or you lost your job?This is decidedly not my business, but Im going to say it anyway. You are setting the bar too low for your girlfriend. Its great that you can afford to be and are inclined to be understanding of her financial situation, but it sounds like youre too understanding. If her financial decisions bother you, then talk to her and see if you can get on the same page. Or, at least on the same library shelf. You say that as long as she keeps her idiocy to herself, Im okay. Newsflash, if youre paying her bills, she isnt keeping it to herself. 