What expensed do you save for?

**suzysaver** · 12-06-2008, 10:38 PM

Just trying to make a more detailed list of expenses that I can save for in advance. It's one thing to have an emergency fund for all those unexpected things. I was wondering what you set aside for ? So far I have these on my list:

Car (oil changes)
Car tags and fees
Insurance deductables
vet fees (checkups and shots)
next years christmas fund

I should be able to come up with more then that?, what about you?

**known2him5** · 12-06-2008, 11:00 PM

property taxes
car tags
car insurance
life insurance
malpractice insurance
car maintainance/repairs
home repairs
vet fees
kids summer camp fees
vacation
gifts (Christmas, birthdays, weddings, baby shower, bridal showers, etc.)
new car fund (so we don't ever have to take out a loan for a car)

**dcompton** · 12-06-2008, 11:33 PM

I have a really short list:

insurance
car maintenance
medical deductibles
vacation

**ladytoysdream** · 12-07-2008, 08:02 AM

The school taxes due in September, and then the property taxes due end of December each year have to be saved for.
I try to keep a bit of a cushion in the checking account for other odd bills, like the vehicle registrations, vet visits yearly for the dogs, etc.

**IntlMom** · 12-07-2008, 08:27 AM

You gals are really good - hubby and I "just save"....and when we need something, we take it out of our account that we "just saved" for. Sounds weired, I know, but it totally works for us.
We aren't spenders by nature, so we have to really need something to tap into that money - it typically gets used for stuff like: prop tax, vacation, home imp......

**LuvMyHubby** · 12-07-2008, 09:06 AM

I don't know that we save for anything in particular, I just try to have a cushion for things like car registration and vet bills etc.

I am weird though, so don't laugh at me.....DH likes to have a real tree, nothing fancy or large but they cost about 25.00 and this just irks me. I cannot stomach spending that much money directly out of my Christmas budget on something that will dry out and go to the town wood chip pile in a couple of weeks.

So...all year my pennies go into a jar and my penny jar is my Christmas tree fund.

**knitnmom** · 12-07-2008, 10:46 AM

Usually, the first thing we save for is the kids' school tuition. After that, then we save for our yearly trip to Disneyland. We usually keep our savings account full enough to cover any other needs, such as a new dishwasher, that we just purchased. We will fill up the account again, hopefully before we need anything else. Oh, and we save for Christmas too, in a separate account.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 12-07-2008, 11:11 AM

I would defintely suggest budgeting in "play" money. ie: going out to the movies, having a nice dinner out (maybe with a coupon or something) etc.

**Kaos Kitty** · 12-07-2008, 11:30 AM

These are all my long-term savings categories:

Baby fund (future baby)
Cat Vet
House Insurance
Large Item (appliances, furniture)
Long term Entertainment (magazines subscriptions, yearly memberships, volunteer trips)
Gifts/Xmas (Birthdays and all Holidays)
Education
E.F. Fund

Monthly Short-Term Expenses I Save For:

Grooming (hair cuts, clothes)
Medical (prescriptions, chiropractor, dental)
Entertainment (pre-plan what we do each month)
Groceries/Small Item (food, shampoo, cleaners ect)

**suzysaver** · 12-07-2008, 01:49 PM

Thank you ladies.
I will definately be adding the play money fund
and I like the idea of a large item fund.

I just feel that I would have a more secure emergency fund if I look ahead and don't let those predictable expensese sneek up on me.

**Katybird** · 12-07-2008, 01:52 PM

Health Deductables and co-pays
Home owners insurance
Auto insurance
Life insurance
(I am starting to see a pattern here

)

**ladykemma2** · 12-08-2008, 04:32 PM

These are put aside monthly for intermittent expense:
escrow (taxes/ins)
trash
home maintenance
homeowners association dues
flood insurance
termite contract
a/c heat maintenance
oil change/fluid changes/tire rotation
car maintenance other dealership
car insurance
car registration
car inspection
ez tag toll road
new car fund
computer upkeep
computer replacement
dr schenk endocrinologist annual pcos visit
travel summer
optometrist
school startup
dentist
co-pays predictable annual doc visits
vet bills predictable vet bills
xmas
office supplies
shoes orthopedic

**Gardengal18** · 12-08-2008, 04:40 PM

House Repair Fund. Definitely get yourself a "House Repair Fund" Which I now have to dip into since the "wax seal" went on the Powder Room toilet. Plumber says it will cost approx $375 to fix it. I wouldn't mind but the house is only 2 1/2 years old

**ladykemma2** · 12-08-2008, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by Gardengal18

House Repair Fund. Definitely get yourself a "House Repair Fund" Which I now have to dip into since the "wax seal" went on the Powder Room toilet. Plumber says it will cost approx $375 to fix it. I wouldn't mind but the house is only 2 1/2 years old

ditto that 250 a month for home upkeep and repairs.

**Susanscraps** · 12-09-2008, 07:28 AM

I have quite a few, too!

Christmas club
New car fund
Vacation
Property/school taxes
Car insurance
College books
College savings
Side of beef!
kids sports/lessons
gas bill (was anticipating high gas bill, just want a cushion for the winter)
Appliance/household replacement (used for gas stove/ carpet cleaner, refrig is probably next)

In addition, I have envelopes for
National Emergency
Dogs
Car expenses
Kids skiing $
DH Christmas gift
My scrapping $ (usually empty!)
Extra $ (usually empty!)