Unexpected Expenses Always Seem To Pop Up When They Are Least Convenient: How To Plan For Them

If you care about unexpected expenses always seem, this guide gets straight to the point. We break down what actually matters, skip the fluff, and show you how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• While I know that unexpected expenses are going to happen, for some reason when they reveal up it’s still such a surprise.
• More importantly, it turns out that they discovered a cavity or two on my teeth, and a couple of old fillings that needed to be fixed.
• Since we planned ahead and saved up for just such circumstances as these.
• As a rule, the key to rolling with the punches and not having unplanned expenses be anything more than an inconvenience is to plan ahead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

SharePin13Tweet32Share853 SharesIt consistently seems that large expenses come in bunches.   For us, that time is at the end of the month when our mortgage and a variety of utility and satellite TV bills come due. When those large expenses are coming up each month, that consistently seems to be the time that unexpected expenses seem to pop up.  When our cash flow is lowest.

Unexpected Expenses Come In Bunches This past week I had a couple of unexpected expenses pop up, right at the most inconvenient time, but luckily, it hasn’t been a massive issue since we planned ahead. Worth noting: the test results have now come back, and thankfully my wife’s health is fine.  Her medications have regulated her blood pretty well, the ultrasound came back free and clear and there’s no real danger of any new clotting happening anytime soon.  That’s the solid news.

Is Unexpected Expenses Always Seem Worth It?

The bad news arrived in the mail this past week.  We now owe just under a thousand dollars for a day of doctors visits.  Insurance took care of part of the bill, but after co-insurance and a reduction in the allowed amount, we still owe just over $850. I tried to think back to just what may have caused the bill to be so massive, and there it was on the statement.  About half of the bill was from the specialists we saw at the hospital, and the other half was from the ultrasound.  Ouch!

Going To The Dentist While the $850 bill hurt, it wasn’t the only unexpected expenses this month.  I also had a visit to the dentist a couple of weeks ago.  While a normal visit to the dentist for a cleaning and flouride treatment wouldn’t cost that much after insurance, this visit was a bit different. Yesterday I returned to the dentist to get those aspects remedied.  After an hour in the dentist chair my teeth are fixed.  While my teeth are fixed, I’ll also be getting a nice large bill in the mail to reveal for it.  I’m thinking it’s going to be near $2-300 based on previous visits like this one.

Where the Real Savings Hide

How We’ve Planned For Unplanned Expenses Thankfully despite the fact that we’ve paid thousands of dollars in taxes this past month, and paying a couple of thousand dollars in normal bills, we’ve still  been able to pay our unexpected expenses without any problems. Remember that first, we elected to deduct $1500 from my paycheck to put in our flexible spending account this year, to assist pay for medical expenses.  We tend to be greater users of health care, and even $1500 is going to be low this year.  After submitting this $850 expense to be reimbursed, we’ll be about maxed out for the year already.

How To Protect Yourself From Unplanned Expenses What are some steps that you can take to protect yourself from large unplanned expenses, like the ones we had this past month? Save up an emergency fund to cover all other contingencies: If you’re still in debt, save up a small emergency fund of $1-2000 to cover you for most unplanned expenses.  After the debt is gone, bump that emergency fund amount up to 6-12 months of expenses, enough to cover almost any circumstance.

A Closer Look at Unexpected Expenses Always Seem

Apply the money when you require to, then replenish it:  When you come to a situation where you require to apply emergency cash, don’t feel bad about applying it, that’s what it’s there for.  But after you pay for your unplanned expense, don’t forget to save up and replenish the account. Purchase insurance, save up an emergency fund and when the expenses come they’ll be covered!

Have you had to deal with any unplanned expenses lately?  What were they and how did you cover them? Would you have done anything different?

What to Know About Unexpected Expenses Always Seem

In short, tell us your thoughts in the comments. There Are Consistently More Methods To Cut Your ExpensesThere are consistently places in the budget you can cut - if you wish to.

Here are a few places that we're cutting. Car Prices On The Internet: Not Consistently The Bargain They Seem to BeIf you're planning on shopping for a car in the near future, you might wish to be wary of several shady Internet sales tactics?

How Unexpected Expenses Always Seem Really Works

Worth noting: here's… 5 Growing Expenses To Expect With Older ChildrenThe older kids get, the more pricey they become. How can you handle the increased financial pressure that comes with tweens and teens?

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on unexpected expenses always seem?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. When those large expenses are coming up each month, that consistently seems to be the time that unexpected expenses seem to pop up.  When our cash flow is lowest.

Is it worth shopping around for unexpected expenses always seem?

Usually yes. Unexpected Expenses Come In Bunches This past week I had a couple of unexpected expenses pop up, right at the most inconvenient time, but luckily, it hasn’t been a massive issue since we planned ahead.

Smart Ways to Save More on Unexpected Expenses Always Seem

• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up unexpected expenses always seem against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at biblemoneymatters.com.