August always seems to surprise me with extra expenses. Every year, I tell myself I’ll be ready for them, and every year—here they come, catching me off guard. But not this time. This year, I’m preparing my budget with those sneaky extras in mind.
In addition to my usual bills, I’ve made space in this month’s budget for school-related costs. Not just the standard pencils, notebooks, and binders—but the overlooked things like club fees, ROTC dues, and all the little charges that come with high school life. If you’ve got older kids, you probably know exactly what I mean.
I’ve also decided to budget for something that brings me joy—something just for me. It’s my birthday this month, after all. I’ve been eyeing a skin cream by Dr. Terry DuBrow that claims to help reduce wrinkly skin. After losing a significant amount of weight, I’ve noticed a lot more excess skin, and I’m curious to see if it makes a difference. Whether it works or not, I think I deserve something special. (Shoutout to Fidan, the Australian influencer-attorney who always reminds us it’s okay to treat ourselves.)
By planning ahead and being intentional, I believe we can stick to a budget—even with these extra expenses on the horizon.
What about you? Do you find yourself spending more when school starts back up? I always notice our grocery bill creeps up, too—maybe learning really does make you hungry!
