Now that August is coming, it’s time to prep your August budgets. Don’t forget about these August Budget Categories in the process!
Lawn Care
August is that nice time between the grass growth slowing, and the weeds taking over, but there is still plenty to do when it comes to caring for and maintaining the lawn. Whether you pay someone to care for your lawn, or you do it yourself, it’s not free. Look at your lawn expenses in the past to get an idea of how much you’ll be spending throughout the growing season.
Allergies
My allergies run year-round. Nothing is weirder than having to be that one person that buys OTC allergy medicine in the middle of December. But my kids’ allergies kick it into high gear this time of year between the grass and ragweed. This results in buying our allergy meds more often than I do throughout the rest of the year. If this is your prime allergy season, don’t forget to budget for it!
Increased Utilities
For us, July and August are our peak electric bill months. It’s solely because our pool filter is running 16 hours a day, and we use our air conditioners during a heat wave or when I’m taking a day to can. If you’ve got the same trend, be sure to budget for an increase in these utility bills during the summer.
Pool Care
August is when stores have completely changed their seasonal section to back-to-school items. July also is the time we run low on chlorine tablets, water test strips, and pool shock. By August it’s hard for me to find any chlorine tablets, water test strips, and pool shock without having to go to a specialty store and pay an extra premium. I’ve had some luck ordering online, but I do make sure to have some money aside for shock and chlorine tablets to get us through closing our pool for the season in September and then reopening it again next year in May.
Farmer’s Market / You Pick Farms
Our farmer’s markets started in May, so June through August are the main months for going to the markets. I really enjoy going to the Farmers Market for fruits and veggies that I don’t, or can’t, grow. It’s a favorite place for plums and peaches too. We love to eat our fruits and veggies fresh and in season, but we also preserve a lot of food this time of year to eat through the winters. Either way, don’t forget to budget for the expenses for fresh fruit, veggies, herbs, and flowers, whether you incorporate the cost into your weekly grocery budget, or you have a separate envelope for it.
Vacation / Travel
With summertime coming to a close, this is the perfect time to travel with the kids. So whether it’s fees for the local campground, lodging at the hotel near the amusement parks, and amusement park ticket costs, don’t forget about the other expenses that may come up. These can also include pet boarding, parking fees, beach day passes, and so on.
Sinking Funds
Be sure to keep up with your sinking funds. Don’t forget to review them based on your quarterly and annual bills, as well as medical expenses.
Eye & Dental Exams
Just like annual physicals, the summer is a great time to get the kids in for their exams. Every spring and fall we have our semi-annual dental exams, and the summer is our annual eye exams. If it’s been a while for either, you may want to get yourself in for a checkup. Better to be on top of your health than have to play crisis management later on.
Back To School
August is when stores have all their back-to-school merch out, and if you’re lucky, schools are sending their supply list out. August is also the best time to get some of the higher-demand items and continue watching those sales. Even if you don’t have kids in school, if you know you need items for your home office or business, now is the time to purchase items.
Sports Physicals
August gives you the last chance to get those annual checkups in before school starts! Plus, if your child is playing school sports, they’re going to need a current physical on file. If you need to pay a co-pay, don’t forget it in the budget.
Extracurricular Fees
Fall is right around the corner, which means it’s time for school sports, marching band, youth community league sports, and theatre league. Funding all the extracurricular activities isn’t cheap. Make sure that you budget for, and save for these expenses ahead of time.
Also, be sure to budget for any uniforms, pictures, and fundraisers that may come up as well
Christmas
Now that it’s August, Christmas is a mere 4 months away. Best to get started on saving up now so you know your budget when December comes.
Looking to set up your budget for A DIFFERENT MONTH?
Are there any other budget categories you included in your august budget that aren’t on this list? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to add them!
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