Mastering the Art of Budgeting: Taming the Beast of Surprise Expenses
Hey there, budget-savvy warriors! Today, we're diving into the wild world of surprise expenses—the sneaky little buggers that pop up. You know the ones: car registrations, Amazon Prime subscriptions, and other bills that seem to have a mind of their own. Fear not, my friends! With the help of YNAB (You Need a Budget), we'll wrangle these budgeting beasts. Making sure that I was setting money aside for this expenses was one of the BIGGEST game changers for me in feeling more at ease and financially safe and regulated (yes, I’m talking about how good budgeting is for your nervous system). Let's get started!
The Mysterious Car Registration:
Picture this: You're bopping along, feeling on top of your budgeting game, when suddenly, BAM! The car registration bill smacks you right in the wallet. By setting aside a small amount each month, it will be no big deal when you get your car registration bill in the mail. And the fact that it feels like no big deal, will probably feel like a very big deal if you’re used to these sorts of expenses causing minor to major stress.
2. The Amazon Prime Predicament:
Ah, Amazon Prime—the black hole of online shopping and guilty pleasures. But those annual or monthly subscription fees can creep up on you like a ninja in the night. Simply include a category in your budget called "Amazon Prime Shenanigans", and allocate a monthly amount to keep those subscription surprises in check.
3. Unmasking Other Non-Monthly Bills:
Surprise expenses come in all shapes and sizes. Insurance payments, storm drainage fees (yes this one got me by surprise this year) and even those sporadic dentist visits—oh joy! By creating specific categories for these non-monthly bills and setting aside funds each month, you'll be prepared to face them head-on with a smile. My advice is to give yourself grace in the first 6-12 months of using YNAB, because there will be things that come up that you didn’t think about or have enough time to save for. When that DOES happen, just be sure to add a category and a target right then and there to make sure that doens’t happen again.
4. Bonus:
You can get a copy of my free Complete Category Checklist below, and literally go line by line, adding the category and targets for all of the list items that apply to you and your situation. This should eliminate 99% of the surprises.
Embrace the art of budgeting, be prepared for those sneaky bills, and show them who's boss. Remember, you've got the power to tame the wildest of expenses and emerge victorious on your budgeting journey.
So go forth, my budget-savvy friends, armed with your YNAB budgeting skills. Let's slay those budgeting beasts and live a financially empowered life.
Ready to take control of your budget and conquer surprise expenses? Head over to YNAB and start your budgeting adventure today.
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