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Overview
6 Overlooked Expenses That Ruin Your Budget
Drafting a picture-perfect budget is only half the battle if you want to keep your spending in check. Following the rules is the other half — and that can be challenging if you underestimate expenses or forget to incorporate a few essential pieces of the puzzle into your spending plan.
Below are some commonly overlooked fees that can cause you to throw in the towel on your budget each month. Hopefully, you are not caught by too many of these surprises.
- Auto Maintenance and Repairs
At some point, if you don’t take care of your car, it won’t take care of you and break down. Be proactive to avoid costly repairs down the road. If a mechanic brings a big or small problem to your attention, don’t ignore it; take care of it. Will definitely save you more in the long run. - Children’s Extracurricular Activities
Soccer practice or piano lessons? Use a calendar to plan out your children’s extracurricular activities for the year. That way, you can set aside the funds needed to pay up when the amounts come due. We do not want them missing out; the same rules apply to family fun. So plan ahead and always remain on the lookout for cheap or free fun activities like going to the beach! - Pet Care
National Dog Day just passed us, and furry friends have needs, too. And sometimes, those needs aren’t as cheap as you think. So, don’t forget to factor in the costs of routine care, sitters, and doctor visits. - Regular Fees
Car insurance, registration, and Netflix? They all have one thing in common, fees! Whether it’s once a year, month, or twice a year, these fees will creep up on you if you don’t have savings set aside. In addition, being caught off-guard when the payments come due will cost you more with late fees, and sometimes it may affect your credit score. - Special Events
Say your brother has decided to tie the knot, or you want to make a friend’s trip. Do you have the funds on hand to cover the cost of buying a gift or buying a ticket? If not, you may have to borrow to make it happen or decline to attend. Always good to know in advance so that you can budget money for these special events. - Service Calls
The water heater can suddenly die, or your garage door doesn’t open. It happens at the worst times, so make sure you have yearly checkups to avoid them. It won’t cost you as much as an urgent call to get it fixed.
- Auto Maintenance and Repairs