The entertainment budget is the first area to look at when you need to cut back on expenses. But those aren’t the only education expenses to think about when budgeting. If you know your pet will need to see the vet, try saving money in a sinking fund, so you are prepared to pay the bill when the time comes.Ĭollege and private school tuition are steep. Pets are like part of the family and will need to be accounted for in your budget.

Private lessons/extracurricular activities.

So don’t forget to take advantage of a Dependent Care FSA to offset childcare costs if your employer offers one. For example, if you have to pay for childcare to work outside of the home, these expenses can be as much as your mortgage depending on where you live.

Public transit costs (train, subway, bus)Ĭhild-related expenses can add up.

Here are possible transportation expenses you could have: Transportation costs (besides car payments) are important to consider when creating your budget.

If you are trying to find extra cash each month to pay down debt or save for other financial goals, the food budget is a great place to start. The food budget is another expense category that can grow exponentially without realizing it. Saving money on utilities and other expenses can take effort, but your efforts will be rewarded with more money in your bank account. Utility expenses can get out of hand if you aren’t careful. Utilities are also considered an essential expense when budgeting.

Home repairs/maintenance (use a sinking fund-see below).Here are some possible subcategories for the housing category portion of a budget: Housing expenses are considered essential expenses.

Your housing expenses will make up the largest portion of your budget. Side hustle income (only guaranteed income).

Personal budget percentages