i just read back your first post in case i misinterpretted - i don't read it as a long term thing - the angst about your rental makes it seem that it is very pressing to move, that your partner doesn't look to have any sort of steady employment, you'll be the only bread winner apart from seasonal work for your DH, and i guess many of us have replied from that perspective.

there is nothing wrong with aspiring to something - it's an admirable thing to do - i think we're all just concerned about the reality - some of us have BTDT and it's not always easy, especially if your circumstances change for the negative unexpectedly.

FWIW - if you're looking at savings

cut out all non-essentials
- make your mobiles pre paid - it's amazing how much credit you can accumulate over a few months on prepaid! we're paying less each month and getting more value - bank the difference for your savings
- ditch pay tv - if you're NEEDING to keep it, cut it back to bare basics and bank the rest of the money you'd normally spend. if you cut it off completely, give yourselves an "entertainment" budget for DVD hire etc
- borrow/swap DVD with friends if you can.
- cook from scratch - i know it can be hard when you're pregnant to find the motivation to cook from scratch, but it will save you heaps once you have the staples in the cupboard. make a plan to cook something snacky a couple of times a week to give you yummy snacks for work/school etc
- create a vegie patch - grow more than necessary during the nicer weather and freeze/preserve for winter
- use seasonal veg if you have to buy
- buy and cook in bulk - pad meals out with extra vegies rather than meat, and freeze in family or individual sized meals

mostly, don't have unrealistic expectations on your savings - dont' say "we can theoretically save 400 a fn so we WILL save it. there will always be unexpected expenses and you need to be able to face them both while saving and then once you make your move. EVERY dollar saved is a dollar closer to your goal. if you can't save 400 this fortnight, but can account for why, then it's ok. if you deprive yourselves of EVERYTHING, you will end up doing stupid things and splurging (bit like a dieter going ballistic on chocolate because they have deprived themselves of everything kwim?)

set yourself mini targets, and when you achieve them, recognise those targets. if you can, when you get a certain amount in savings, put them into managed accounts for high interest and keep adding and rolling over so you don't have access to the main part of your money