February Budget Categories

With February right around the corner, it’s time to start looking at your February Budget and get it set up. As you’re getting your budget and financial goals for February set up, don’t forget about these categories.

Spring Sports

February is the time our region’s AYSO starts creating the teams for the spring. I take the opportunity to go through the equipment from the fall and see what we need to get for the upcoming season. Sometimes I’m lucky and only need a few extra socks, and other times I’m completely swamped and need to buy new cleats for all three.

Sinking Accounts

Remember to keep up with your sinking accounts that you need to go all year, and don’t forget to start any sinking accounts for expenses coming up. Even if it’s just $20 per month now, a small amount over time will add up and keep you from having larger expenses later on.

Sinking funds that I’ll be contributing to slowly over February is our back-to-school fund. I like finding clearance clothes at the beginning of March and start finding long sleeves for the following school year.

Need some more ideas for savings categories? Check out my post about our 52 week savings, and get the free printable while you’re there!

Valentine’s Day

From going out to dinner, staying in for a nice meal, and even classroom exchanges at school, you’re going to want to leave some room for it in your budget.

Higher Bills

At our previous two houses, we had natural gas as our main source of heat. Our bill was always higher in the winter, by a few hundred dollars, than it was in the summer when the water heater and the stove were the only uses of natural gas. Even after we were on a budgeting program, the bill would reevaluate in the winter based on our actual usage.

At our current house our main source of heat is our wood stove, but our electric bill does rise a bit with our circulator running the hot water through our baseboards.

Clearance Items

February is the start of winter clearance in our region. Like I mentioned earlier, I like to start shopping for clearance clothes now to use for next school year.

I also assess the kids’ winter coats, and buy the next size up at the end of February. While they may be limited on their preferred colors, it’s much more budget friendly to get coats at a discount than pay full price. I try not to spend more than $30 total for coats for all three kids, saving myself well over $150.

Budget Reminders:

How is savings for Christmas coming? What about your other sinking funds? Is there anything coming up this summer that you should start saving for now?