What is more frustrating than setting up an airtight budget where you’re projected to hit all these financial goals for the month only to be blindsided by the uncertainty that is life? Man, it can really throw off your motivation equilibrium when something comes hurling from seemingly nowhere! I’ve been there more times than I can remember, so today I wanted to share with you several unexpected monthly expenses that have not so kindly presented themselves in my personal experience.

 

 

1. Health Care

This might sound strange, because usually you can foresee a regularly scheduled appointment and plan for it accordingly, but that’s not always the case. For example, it’s possible that you go in for a check up with your primary care doctor and they find something that needs to be discussed with a specialist. That then requires another office visit copay and bill. I know, because this scenario happened to me.

But it can also come in the form of a cracked tooth due to the hard shell of a sucker, or a visit to the urgent care because of flu symptoms. Even if you are planning for an operation or a special care visit, you might be surprised that the amount billed is higher than you planned.

If you feel like a trip to the doctor (in any specialty) is on this month’s horizon, create yourself a little cushion, and prepare to owe more than you planned. Also become very familiar with your insurance. Call ahead and ask questions about what they cover or won’t cover. Usually they’re very helpful and can walk you through the confusion of what insurance will take care of.

 

2. Special Events

Again, doesn’t this seem obvious? Usually your loved ones birthdays, special events, and holidays are easily memorized, but there are occasions when something sweeps by and lands in your bank account.

Unexpected work parties for retiring coworkers, the baby shower that’s planned for later this month that you just received the invite for, or the donation going around for someone in need at a banquet. Some things are sprung at the last minute, and that’s okay. Look to your miscellaneous category to pick up the extra cost, but don’t rely too heavily on it. If you find that some of these expenses are becoming regular offenders, then make a separate category for them.

Also, when making your budget, it might seem like a no-brainer, but dive into your calendar and forecast what’s happening in the next 30 days. Is there something you forgot about, like the business meeting at Chili’s? If you record upcoming events it will help immensely to keep you on budget and prevent from pulling money from the emergency fund when it simply isn’t an emergency.

 

3. Subscriptions

Subscriptions are sweet for so many reasons. One of the best is that you get the service, product, or what have you every month and the cost of it automatically comes out of your bank account (of course if those are your settings). You know when you have a withdrawal, and life goes on.

Here’s one pitfall though, what about those “free trials” where you test something out for a certain amount of time to be sure you want it as a permanent line item in your budget? Ah, what if you forget to cancel it and they already have your debit card information? Oftentimes once the trial is done, the perks are cut off, but sometimes they will automatically bill you for the next month.

Check into the fine print whenever you sign up for a free trial of any kind. It’s possible that once the trial period is over the only thing you’re left with is the memories of what you had, but just to make sure, note the day the trial ends in your calendar or as a note on your phone, even text yourself. Keep a list or if you’re a detail connoisseur, keep a spreadsheet of what subscriptions are out there, when they are up, and how much they cost monthly after the trial ends. Don’t get stuck with paying another month of a service you don’t want or need.

 

 

Above are just a few line items that are easy to forget or pass over when planning out your monthly budget. Keep these in mind, and plan for them if necessary.

 

What are some unexpected expenses you’ve had to maneuver around? Did they completely derail your money goals that month or were they minor inconveniences? Let me know in the comments!

 

Cheers!