Some answers were already there in the recent posts... if not obvious enough, to recap:

1. You don't pay the minimal amount on cc. You pay as much as you can. So why the savings of 400?

2. Spending first, then savings, then investments... be prudent in your spending... the 400 misc, is that food? If it is, you spend 400 on food, but 1300 on lodging?

3. On buying a first house, a rule of thumb I used was 20% savings, another 10% or 15% from EPF, housing loan 65-70% with tenure of not more than 20 years. This to avoid paying too much interest, and overspending on a house.

(Before some argue that no house can be found using this budget criteria, then too bad... lower your expectations with a cheaper house/apt/hut... or keep renting.)

Nett income: RM4.5k

House rent: 1.3k
Car loan: 836
Credit card: 600 (untill CC clear, might probably take 6-8 months)
Parents: 500
Phone bills: 100
Transportation:400
Savings: 400
Misc: 400

I am planning to buy a house soon, but still need to save money for the downpayment. Any advice from sifus? tq