Have you ever wondered if there are things you forget to pack? If so, you are not alone! (Psst! Need to set a budget? Take ours FREE budget spreadsheets to get started!)
I recently polled my IG followers about the most common things people forget to budget for. They came up with a HUGE list of great ideas!!
Health care
- Insurance co-pays
- Instructions
- Haircut
- Vitamins & supplements
- Pet medications and animal visits
- Dental and orthodontic work (this can include lots of children!)
- Home medical supplies (bandages, gauze, over-the-counter medications)
Cars
- Regular maintenance (new breaks, rotors, AC, etc.)
- Oil change
- New tires
- Vehicle inspection
- Taxes
- License and registration fee
- Car wash membership
- Saving for a new car for you
Children and family
- School supplies
- Teacher gifts
- Goods or entertainment funds
- Sports funds & equipment
- Music and instrument lessons
- Tickets for sporting/musical events and concerts
- Hot lunch and snack specials
- Back to school shopping
- Activities for children
- Family fun
- Family holidays
- College fees
Holidays and Special Events
- Christmas decorations & wrapping supplies
- Christmas presents
- Posting Christmas cards
- Family photo sessions
- Hosting (in addition to your normal grocery budget)
- Birthday anniversary tour / special meal
Home
- Home maintenance
- Replacing household appliances
- Fresh plants and flowers
- Tree removal
- Adjusting the irrigation
- Natural disasters
- Pest control
- Savings for major home purchases like a new roof, HVAC, or septic system
Other
- Giving & tithing
- Unpaid time off work due to illness or family needs
- Annual subscription (Amazon Prime, Netflix, various software programs, online courses)
- Inflation in your savings (they will be more expensive by the time you save enough)
Whew – that’s a lot!
Don’t panic though! Chances are, you won’t have all of this in your budget, because everyone’s budget looks different depending on their life circumstances, priorities, and goals. And if you use our A free budget spreadsheet to set things upMost of these items fall under one of the fixed or variable cost categories, so you’ll be set!
I will just encourage you to do so strengthen your financial goals then set a simple budget tracking everything. Take a look at this list after you set your budget to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything important to you!
Did we miss something? What else can you add to this list?
Want to make THIS the year you finally stick to a budget?!
Tracking your budget doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult! Use these FREE Budget Spreadsheets Easily plan and track your monthly spending!
