75 Items You’re Forgetting to Include in Your Budget

Many people dislike budgeting.  It’s a process of trial and error, and when our budgets fail, we often get frustrated and want to give up.

Remember that budgeting is a learning process.  Your first few months probably won’t go perfectly smoothly, and that’s okay!  Learn from the mistakes and adjust your budget accordingly.

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One reason why budgets fail is because we forget to include important expenses.  Here are 75 items you might be forgetting to include in your budget!

Vehicle Costs

Cars are expensive.  It’s not just the cost of the vehicle itself and its gas that you have to worry about.  There are numerous maintenance expenses you might be forgetting.

1. Car registration/license renewal
2. Tabs
3. Oil changes
4. New Tires
5. New windshield wipers
6. Windshield wiper fluid
7. Vehicle maintenance
8. Parking fees
9. Saving for vehicle replacement

House

Houses are also expensive!  While you can take unexpected repair expenses out of your emergency fund if needed, it’s wise to set aside a certain amount each month to cover minor repairs.  Nothing stays working forever and it’s not a surprise when things occasionally break and need fixing.

1. Repairs and maintenance
2. Home improvements
3. Services (lawn mowing, shoveling snow, tree trimming, cleaning rain gutters)

Pet

When we think of pet expenses, we typically think of pet food and vet visits, but there are numerous other costs to consider.  My pug, Herbie, is currently on his third dog bed because he destroyed his first two.  That’s why we now have a chew resistant bed for him.

In addition, we occasionally buy him new toys, sweaters, and other miscellaneous items.

1. Pet food and treats
2. Annual vet visit and vaccinations
3. Other vet visits
4. Medications
5. Nail trims and grooming
6. Toys
7. Miscellaneous (clothes, leashes, blankets, etc.)
8. Boarding, pet sitting, or day care

Medical

Unexpected large medical expenses can be considered “emergencies” (which are taken out of your emergency fund), but certain medical expenses (like prescriptions or doctor visit co-pays) are typically things you can plan for in advance.

1. Doctor visit co-pays
2. Dental exams
3. Eye exams
4. Deductible
5. Coinsurance costs
6. Prescriptions
7. Over-the-counter medications
8. Vitamins
9. Supplements

Toiletries and Household Items

You may spend more on these items than you realize!

1. Makeup
2. Lotion
3. Perfume
4. Hair dye
5. Haircuts
6. Shampoo/conditioner
7. Cleaning supplies
8. Paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex)
9. Household tools
10. Replacement of household items

Special Occasions

Holidays and birthdays can be expensive occasions, so it’s important to remember to include these in your budget.

1. Cards + postage
2. Anniversary gifts
3. Birthday gifts
4. Holiday gifts (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day)
5. Parties or events
6. Food or candy
7. Décor
8. Clothes or accessories (Halloween costumes, green clothes for St. Patrick’s Day, etc.)

Annual or Semi-Annual Costs

These costs are easy to forget because they only come around once (or a few times) each year.

1. Property taxes
2. Life insurance
3. Homeowner’s insurance
4. Subscriptions
5. Memberships (zoo, arboretum, etc.)

Gifts

Again, these can be easily forgotten because they don’t happen every month.

1. Wedding gifts
2. Bridal shower or bachelorette party gifts
3. Baby shower gifts
4. Graduation gifts
5. “Just because” gifts

Kid Stuff

These expenses don’t necessarily come up every month, so they can be easily missed when you create your budget.

1. Field trip fees
2. Sports fees/equipment
3. School supplies
4. Activity fees
5. College savings

Insurance

Insurance isn’t a fun thing to pay for, but it will give you peace of mind.  Going without it just isn’t worth the risk!

1. Medical
2. Dental
3. Vision
4. Short-term disability
5. Long-term disability
6. Flood insurance
7. Renter’s insurance

Miscellaneous

Here are a few more items you don’t want to forget about that don’t really fit in the categories listed above.

1. Charitable giving
2. Tithing
3. Entertainment
4. Vacations
5. Date nights
6. Hobbies (scrapbooking supplies, knitting supplies, etc.)