Budgeting my food bill has been the most apparent category for me, and I think I’ve got a good hold on it. But for other expenses like utilities, toiletries, pet food, and stuff I might not even think about, I usually just go for off-brand and the cheapest options. I’m curious if there’s a category you’d suggest I look into and how I might start cutting down on costs. Thanks!
You need sinking funds to avoid unexpected costs or surprises that may drain your savings.
Drew said:
You need sinking funds to avoid unexpected costs or surprises that may drain your savings.
My sinking funds include gifts, computer replacement, kids’ education, and vacation.
@Ruth
Those are great categories! What do you find is the hardest to save for?
Don’t forget about home repairs!
I track auto & gas expenses, entertainment for my kids, and health & beauty costs. You might be surprised how much those add up!
Jory said:
I track auto & gas expenses, entertainment for my kids, and health & beauty costs. You might be surprised how much those add up!
Wow, I never thought of auto costs beyond gas! What kinds of entertainment do you budget for?
Jory said:
I track auto & gas expenses, entertainment for my kids, and health & beauty costs. You might be surprised how much those add up!
Yeah, entertainment can sneak up on you. I try to keep it under control too!
@Tatum
For sure! We do a lot of free family activities to keep costs down.
Always have a miscellaneous category for things that don’t fit into other categories. Plus, an emergency fund is a must!
Sounds like you’ve got food covered, but there are definitely hidden costs! Using a tracker really opened my eyes to my spending on pet care, cleaning supplies, and more. You might be surprised how much those little expenses add up!
@Joss
That makes sense! What tool did you use to track your expenses?
@Joss
I used Habit Money! It sends weekly reports that categorize everything. It helped me cut back on areas I didn’t even notice before.