June is almost over, and has it been an eventful month! We’ve had two birthdays, an infant in the house, and I need a nap. With that said, a new month is upon us, and I have a question for you: is your July budget ready?
If it isn’t, then here is a helpful list of items you might want to include in your July budget!
EXPENSES TO CONSIDER WHEN GETTING YOUR JULY BUDGET READY:
- Independence Day! Whatever your 4th of July tradition is, make sure to include it in your budget first! Add a few extra dollars to the grocery budget for steaks, burgers, and grilling supplies. Be sure any sparklers, bottle rockets, or other festive expenses make their way into the budget as well!
- Vacation Sinking Funds: As I’ve said before, you’ll go somewhere eventually, so why not budget now? If your usual summer activities aren’t possible now, go ahead and start setting money aside for later! Make that next vacation even better.
- Wedding Season: If you’ve received any save-the-date cards, you might want to check out the registry list for the shower, the event venue/dress code, and budget accordingly.
- Back to School: Even though kids don’t go back until August or September, it’s good to set funds aside as early as possible.
Related: Back to School on a Dime
- Check Ups: They may also need sports physicals or immunizations before the school year, so be sure to budget in copays.
- Increased Utility Bills: The temperatures outside are rising. Set your thermostat on a schedule as recommended in Ways to Save More Money: 30 Frugal Money Saving Tips. Chances are, your system is still working a little harder than it has in the last few months. Be sure to budget for an increase in the electric bill.
- Lawn Care: Watering a garden? You’ll want to add a few more bucks for the water bill. Pay to have the weeds kept under control? Maybe hire out pest control? Make sureto include these items in the budget! Even if you do it yourself, gasoline, lawn mower maintenance, and other supplies should be factored in your budget.
- Fun for the Family: You might be running out of ideas (or craft supplies) to keep the kids busy at home; budget for a fun family activity to bring a much-needed change of pace into your summer. Check local and state parks to see what events and programs are happening, as well as admission or campsite fees. Get out of the house and in nature! Whatever you choose to do, budget for some fun! And bring your water bottle; it’s hot out there! If you need ideas, be sure to check out a Life on a Dime’s most recent list of Frugal Fun for the Whole Family. We’ve also got one going to summer camp, so we’ve got to double and triple check that packing list. All the themed days need budget consideration.
- Christmas! If you haven’t already, I suggest you start a sinking fund for spreading holiday cheer now. There are fewer than six months until Christmas!
JUST REMEMBER, EVERY BUDGET IS DIFFERENT!
There may be items unique to your family. Make sure you account for them when you prepare your monthly budget!
Have a great July and make sure you get that budget ready! Until next time, stay frugal my friends!
This is such a great post to get your monthly budget ready! Thanks for sharing!
Since the pandemic started I’ve thankfully not bought anything more than I actually need, so I’m happy to say that I’ve been budgeting pretty well! I hope this continues this month as well.
That’s great! We made a few purchases early on to make life at home a bit easier, but that’s about it.
I really need to start budgeting again. It helps me know where my money is and if I have any left to spend on fun stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading!
Great suggestions. We usually see an increase in our utilities in the summer due to the fact that we have a pool. It’s amazing how much that can add to things (but TOTALLY worth it on a hot day). There are also expenses related to travel. We camp A LOT in the summer, just getting ready to head off for a 9-day trip shortly. While the reservation itself was paid in advance, we have to factor in gas for the road trip there, additional food-related costs, any activities we want to enjoy (like renting a canoe), etc.
A Pool! I didn’t even think about that expense! I hope to get a tent and camp with the kids at some point this year! I think my husband wants to do a “dry run” in the back yard first before committing to it!
I have no July expenses to worry about, especially Independence Day, given that I’m not American. If anything, that’s be traitors day as I’m British ha ha ha.
I am waiting to buy a new frost free fridge freezer though. Sick of my current one turning into a block of ice all the time
Hah, hah – good point! Ooh! Do I sense a sinking fund starting soon?!
I need to sort out my budget now that I have moved into a new flat! Great post thanks for sharing!
Amber – The Unpredicted Page
Congratulations on the new flat! And let me know if you need help with that budget!
I have never thought of planning ahead like this, this is amazing! I do save every month and do my best to keep money for a rainy day (at the moment we’re saving for a house), but i’ve never really thought about having sinking funds for thing like wedding season and holidays we may be taking.
Such a great idea! Thank you!
Sinking funds are the best! You can do a quick search in the blog and come up with all sorts of posts! You might get the impression that I really, really like them! Good luck with saving for a house!
I need to start tightening up my budget, especially because I have to start paying off my student loans. I go on and off on forbearance with is NOT good. I have also been looking for other jobs because I’ve been at my current one for almost 3 years with no raise. I also do freelance graphic design but there hasn’t been a lot of need as of right now :/
Hannah | http://hannahonhorizon.com
Oh my! Student loans are no fun! Good luck on the job hunt!
No, we don’t really budget (*awkward emoji* LOL) But we do keep a close eye on our accounts and pay our credit card each month!
At least you do that much!
There are some really great suggestions here – lots of ways to cut costs and start saving money slowly! Thanks for a good read
Thank you for reading!
Budgeting for eventual travel is a great idea! Although we can’t travel at the moment, one day we’ll be able to and I definitely want to be ready to travel when we can x
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
There are so many places I want to be able to take the kids when they’re a bit older. I can’t remember some of the coolest vacations my parents took me on, so I don’t mind waiting a bit longer!
You are right. Just because it seems like we will never have fun traveling or attending weddings again, that is really not the case. Adding them to our budgets and preparing for them in the near future is a good idea.
Thank you! Better to be prepared and not have something come up in the short term.