Work in SK, live in MB. As for tfsa, I have over 30k, and similar in savings but I sort of have that ear marked for emergencies. I always expected to be layed off at the time, but it never happened.

As for a down payment, the town isn't very expensive. Get something nice for under 170-200k.

As for my budget, I guess I'm saving close to another 800/mo but that is more for bigger purchases (cash, no credit when buying tv,etc) or towards the layoff fund...

Most of the money is pissed away, I rent a place for work and never looked hard for a roomate or cheaper place. I suspect 1/3 of my earnings go to living there, where I do not want to live. The other 2/3 is what I live on/ save from. I acknowledge it isn't smart, but I never expected to still have that job after 1 year. A new job where I want to live saves me over 2k a month.