13 Expenses You're Forgetting to Budget For

[@lisaw.1601]

We call it "Family Education" which has nothing to do with formal schooling. We are 50-somethings and use this for random books, conferences, community classes and lectures.

[@Precaricat]

An unusual one that I highly recommend for those who are struggling with addictions. Make a category for Vices, and then put each vice you are struggling with in its own category. Kicking my gambling problem for good was one of the few good things to come out of Covid, but what made me commit to doing it was seeing about half of my monthly expenditure be directly or indirectly related to my bad habits, the drive to do something about it skyrockets.

[@MandyRoy425]

You are awesome and I am so proud of you! 👏 👏 🙌

[@marionhowells5364]

Well done !

[@teresacashmore8796]

Hope you are still doing well, Owen.

[@Andresdha]

I've never felt more powerful than Already having my Halloween category and seeing it pop-up at #13. Now I am become Hannah, the destroyer of true expenses.

[@YNABofficial]

😂😂😂 AMAZING. I'd say you definitely know where your priorities lie, then 😉 -Hannah 🌻

[@luluciferin]

For us older folks, add in Funeral Expenses. I flew to two different states to attend close friends' funerals

[@XD9rottie]

Not just for the “older” crowd, I ended up having to pay some of the expenses when my dad passed, despite the VA burial.

[@the_marynator]

Yeah. And I agree it's not for just older folks. 2020 had us pulling from our bereavement category a few times.... ☹️

[@trixiematseraka6668]

I'm 35 but still started a "R.I.P Fund" a couple of months ago when I thought about a relative who suddenly passed away 2 years ago. The money in this category allowed me to make a donation in memoriam last month and send money back home to help pay for a funeral 2 weeks ago. All of this without breaking the bank, thanks YNAB!

[@danh6720]

Call it the “hopefully three weddings before a funeral” category.

[@blindorize]

Pro Tip for the Roadside Assistance: check your insurance policy! State Farm includes it in my own policy, I've used it a few times and it's been great.

[@barbararobson8136]

This might go under Christmas gifts for some, but I keep a category for Christmas tipping. I live in a highrise, so there is the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent, the Night Security Guard, and the wonderful lady who keeps the building clean and tidy.

[@YNABofficial]

That's so thoughtful and generous! I love that idea! Whether we live in a high rise or not, it'd be amazing to have an extra bunch of dollars set aside specifically for the purpose of blessing others at that time of year. Thanks for sharing! -Hannah 🌻

[@kereplussome]

One thing I learned the hard way was to budget for all grocery bulk buys. Ever try to stock your freezer with half a cow without having budgeted for it? Or there’s the 40 lbs. of peaches you know you want to buy every summer so you can have peach preserves all year long...

[@cristinagarcia-miller7742]

Did you budget space in your freezer?? :-)

[@VioletEmerald]

@@cristinagarcia-miller7742 yeah, or budget for a second freezer??

[@stephencolon2760]

I have a lot of these already, but would’ve never thought of the “hospitality” one! Really clever way to make sure you can be generous without messing with the planned grocery budget. For car expenses, I have a “car repair” emergency fund and a “car maintenance” true expense fund. That helps me keep them separate without having to have categories for each of brakes, tires, oil changes, etc. One last thing: I keep an “Ethical spending” category as a sort of “emergency fund” for when the “right” way to do something is more expensive than I budgeted for-buying fair trade food, or clothing from a brand that treats their labor better, or sustainably produced leather, etc. Usually, I just plan for those things in their own categories, but sometimes I’ll plan spending and THEN realize something I don’t feel comfortable with about the brand or industry. The “ethical” category lets me make choices I feel good about without breaking the budget or having to extend my savings time.

[@13percentdolphin]

Just upped my "gifts" category budget goal to go beyond birthdays and holidays... but I'm thinking I'll have to split them soon. Also, i love your ethical category idea! I might just adopt that, thanks!

[@tiffanyg85455]

Wow! I love the ethical spending idea!!! This is something I really struggle with with the ease of Amazon and fast fashion, but wanting to be more responsible and ethical.

[@corydhmiller]

We have a category called "Kindness" that we use for similar things, but breaking these out beyond that is a great idea.

[@valerieingram7362]

I live in a duplex and rent the other side of the house. Although I've been fortunate to have long-term tenants (11 years and counting), when they do move, I know the whole place will need repainting, and there will undoubtedly be other repair, appliance replacement, and general sprucing-up costs. So, I have a "Tenant Turnover Fund" as a category, and I'm working to save $3,500, which I hope will be way more than enough!

[@jessicaswanson7008]

I loved these categories! One that you made me think of adding for my own family is...family photos!!! the session, the downloading rights, the prints...and the perfectly matching clothing that must come with that and the reward at the end for the children (and, let's be real, the parents too).

[@YNABofficial]

Ha! That's a LOT more expenses than just "book the photographer"! Brilliant idea!! -Hannah 🌻

[@rndodd282]

This might seem overboard, but we have a gifts and charity category and within it we have gift budgets for every family member we give gifts to regularly (with an Other Gifts budget for misc). I tried having a general gifts budget or maybe a birthday gifts category but my wife and I found it far more useful to be able to keep track of what we have set aside for each person. It’s a long list but made life a lot easier.

[@YNABofficial]

Honestly, I think I need to do this as well. I LOVE giving gifts, but just having a general "gifts" category, I'm alllways going over. With parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews alone I have about 20 people I hope to give gifts to, and that's before friends and random acts of kindness! I guess that's the beauty of being able to collapse the category groups on the web app (where I primarily budget)-you could have 20 different gift lines and just close the whole group when you don't need it!

[@RW86424]

I do this too!!! I thought I was the only one 😂

[@stop08it]

That’s a great idea!

[@kellymhanson]

OMG! The tip to keep regular oil changes and tires separate from the general auto maintenance fund makes total sense!! Thank you!

[@kimellenwarnick1509]

I LOVE HANNAH'S videos. So entertaining and meaningful and helpful!!!

[@AprilMcCaffery]

I had a “Kids” category that covered most of those kid-related expenses that I budgeted basically the same amount. It started with day care, but as they got older, became the category that paid for the summer camp, the 3-ply board for school projects, the yearbooks and teacher thank you gifts, etc. It never gets cheaper; the costs just get lumpier and less predictable the older they get.

[@UmpteenEmu]

Passport renewals. The cost adds up when everyone-in-the-family's passport needs renewing at the same time.

[@team.barron]

GREAT tip - thanks! Got to do two of the damn things this year...

[@stephenklatt7816]

Great tip! Just added passport renewal to my budget. Felt kinda weird because I have a 10 year passport that expires in 2026, but with 5 years to go, it's $6 a month! Now it won't creep up on me! And I might even remember to renew it on time...

[@NaradaThomas]

You forgot: Budget for YNAB annual subscription (I'm serious. I got a year free under student plan. So yeah, I gotta budget for next year!)

[@gabyam]

Happened with my first renewal. Never again!

[@jesswatkins5078]

I have this in my budget too!!

[@wordrevel]

Yesss 🙌🏼 One of the first few things I added to my budget after signing up on YNAB.

[@leeannhendricks9211]

This was actually the first thing that I truly budgeted for after started YNAB. Trying for the 3rd time to revamp and really do it the YNAB way. I have just been using it for tracking, but thanks to Hannah - I'm IN!

[@kgwilso]

We changed to an Epson EcoTank printer (we print a TON… lots of crafting). They ink refills are very inexpensive and last a very long time. Worth considering if you do a lot of at-home printing.

[@emilyjohnson1710]

I'm still working my way through the Heard It From Hannah playlist, but if you haven't, can you do an entire video talking about when to have a big catch all category (like car repairs) vs more granular target categories (like tires or oil change). It's one of the biggest things I'm flailing around with

[@YNABofficial]

Emily--that's a great idea! I'll consider throwing that on the list! -Hannah 🌻

[@juliefolden7713]

Pre-Covid my friends and I had a girl's night once a month... since things are opening back up, I'm adding this in my budget - separate from my eating out as we sometimes do activities. Also, with all the kid's talk, I added one for my grandson to help with those costs for my kids!

[@YNABofficial]

Oh my word, this sounds like a dream. Why don't I have a monthly girls night on the calendar?! SO sweet that you were inspired to make a category for your grandson-it'll only allow you to serve your kids better and spoil your favorite grandson more! A win-win 😉 -Hannah 🌻

[@sofondadavis5028]

My son is grown and no grands so I do a Kid's for my niece and nephews.

[@strawhatcap6326]

This is yet another reason why ynab is so worth it, on top of what it has done for my finances, the fun light hearted videos that offer support and a whole methodology to budgeting make this more than just a budgeting application. Also HP instant ink with a cheap printer purchase comes with 15 free pages a month for those that do not print a lot like me. Spent 100 on a printer a few years ago and I have never bought ink for it. I run out of ink once or twice a year and they mail me more.

[@brindynuttall2795]

Love all these ideas! I have most of those, but a few more that I've found helpful is: Amazon yearly subscription, Water Heater Replacement, Computer Replacement, Mothers/Fathers Day (for us and both set of parents), and Birthdays divided out by children. We have a budget of about $75/kid and we've found we've wanted to go do an activity or eat out for their birthday. This allows me to not feel guilty for spending money on eating out/activities that we normally don't spend money on.

[@YNABofficial]

That's an amazing idea, having a separate birthday category for each kid! You probably only have to put in a handful to each a month, but mannn it feels sooooo good when the birthday comes and your budget is locked and loaded for it. My first Christmas where I had actually budgeted specifically for it, I had a HAY day! -Hannah 🌻

[@kerryannfoster1712]

Professional licenses that have to be renewed yearly, shots and dental work for pets, small Christmas gifts to give to people who unexpectedly give something to you, library fines, and yearly family photos.

[@YNABofficial]

Family photos! That's a great one! I've been wanting my sisters' families to get professional photos FOREVER, but it always seems like way to big of a cost for them to justify it. Maybe it would seem more achievable if they saved a little money for it every month year-round! Ooooh, I'll share that idea 😏 Thanks KerryAnn! -Hannah 🌻

[@channah64]

Budgeting for library fines is a boss adult move that I am going to try immediately. I feel like the budget nerds would make their library due dates a scheduled transaction though, lol.

[@kerryannfoster1712]

@@channah64 I note every due date twice- on the family calendar and on my personal to do list app called todoist. That means I rarely pay fines, thankfully.

[@marcb2120]

We don't have AAA. I have grown children. Also, my go to wedding gift is a ladder. I don't get invited to weddings much any more.

[@YNABofficial]

A ladder! That is brilliant! You never realize you don't have a ladder until you need one. Great thinking, and so generous! -Hannah 🌻

[@charlenescott1726]

Roadside assistance is built into my car insurance now which I like. And I agree, a ladder is a brilliant gift, as long as you're not carrying it in to the actual wedding reception lol

[@caseyf6]

Petsitting is part of our vacation budget. When we plan for a trip, that's in there just as boarding or food or gas would be. A good petsitter is a LIFESAVER.

[@Pamalumpa]

I have a separate "yard" category for gardening and other yard-related costs. This is separate from home maintenance. I also have a "piano tuned" category for, well, getting my piano tuned.

[@YNABofficial]

Ah! I have never owned a home, so I hadn't thought of a yard category! And wow, yes, piano tunings-not cheap! And never last quite as long as you want them to, do they? Good thinking! -Hannah 🌻

[@conureron3792]

After a year or so of tracking expenses w/ YNAB - there aren’t too many unexpected expenses anymore. I plan ahead a lot, now.

[@PamJernigan]

Family emergency - for travelling to funerals... or even just sending flowers. Kind of the evil twin of the weddings category, for those of us who have graduated from the school supplies-type kiddie expenses.

[@YNABofficial]

Yes 😔 It's a hard one to budget for because you don't want to, but at the same time the last thing you want in times of tragedy is extra financial stress and not knowing where the money is gonna come from. That's so smart and thoughtful. -Hannah 🌻

[@shannonhathaway5655]

Yes I totally feel this one. Money to cover a hotel for a funeral trip and even to send flowers is a must for any age.

[@sethwilliamson]

Medical stuff: Annual physicals, eye exams, dental checkups, routine tests (pap, blood, mammogram, colonoscopy... list grows as you age.) I like having an amount equal to my annual deductibles set aside for anything unexpected as well.

[@MandyRoy425]

Hospitality/bringing food! Totally adding that to my budget.

[@thetravelingwanderer]

You know you're a YNAB addict... when you already have all of these (except kid related expenses) in your budget! LOL. Thanks for another entertaining video, Hannah! :)

[@channah64]

HALLOWE'EN! I was missing an opportunity for spooky emojis in my budget!🎃🎃👽💀👾👿👻

[@JJnATX]

I'm doing several of these already as those big whammies helped me learn to budget for them :). Has YNAB ever considered creating sub categories? example: non monthly > vehicle > oil change, tires, inspection, etc You left off the ynab renewal! Well worth it IMO.

[@YNABofficial]

Oooh, sharing that idea with the team! Appreciate the feedback. And YES! 😂YNAB subscription, of course!! -Hannah 🌻

[@metamorph12]

@@YNABofficial Seconding sub-categories!

[@melissascohen3093]

Thirding!

[@anastasiafalcon4637]

@@YNABofficial would be awesome. I sometimes feel like I need whole trees of those. Hobbies=>arts=>courses, materials OR languages => Spanish, Japanese => lessons, apps, exam fee.

[@kaitlinalexandra6273]

Get a Brother brand black and white printer- a true workhorse. Can get off brand refills that last 1-2 years with a lot of printing- they are maybe $25. It works so well. Never get a color printer with $75 refills every 6mos. Family photos/Christmas cards are something I forget to put in. Glad fewer people I know are getting married- it's $300/event without bridal party ($100 dress you wear for 5 hours and never again 🙃).

[@clucibello9421]

We have this. If we REALLY need a color print, we go to Staples for it...and you'd be surprised at how often you do NOT need a color printed sheet when you thought you did.

[@BodaciousWench]

I just got AAA cz it was on sale for $25 and my car is old enough to drink legally

[@YNABofficial]

😂 Ahhh, 20+ years. That's the "reckless" age. Not to be confused with the "wreckless" age. Is that a good pun? 🤷🏻‍♀️ -Hannah 🌻

[@fiddycaliber947]

Damn printers to the seven hells. Hilarious and accurate as always!

[@dianekortz3058]

Love these videos! I have an appliance replacement category. It never seems to have quite enough in it when we’ve needed to replace something but even if it’s half and we need savings to buy the rest, it really helps. (We’ve had to replace 26 year old fridge, 27 year old dryer and 29 year old washer in the last few years)

[@YNABofficial]

Oh dang! Yes, part way is always better than starting at square one! Love that! And now you have a new, hip, sleek new kitchen and laundry room 😎 -Hannah 🌻

[@FlightParamedicRN]

Trust me. They won't last that long again!! Our washer and dryer lasted less than 10 years!

[@ttalkin]

That’s what I was thinking Claudia. I had my soon to be 22 year old Washer & Dryer repaired a couple years ago. They refuse to repair anything under 15 years old, as “it’s not built well enough to be worth it”

[@caras8033]

How about a category for Amazon Prime Days?

[@zenspeed404]

On the printer front, if you're mostly printing B&W documents, you can sidestep ink costs quite nicely by buying a monochrome printer. On a cost-per-use basis, black toner cartridges are much cheaper than color ink, so you're not only paying less for the printer but less for the toner as well. Finally, no more running out of cyan when you just want to print out your tax returns!

[@iletyoucallmestevesy]

Color laser is also the way to go. I bought a dell color laser printer for about 180 dollars in like 2010. It's still going strong and I think i've spent maybe another 100 or so on toner

[@ConRong00]

Re roadside assistance - some car brands include it as part of owning the car. In addition, you can often add it via your auto insurance - I pay $12 a year for roadside assistance through Progressive...and the one time I used it this year (while on vacation in FL, got a flat), it saved me way more than $12!

[@amyshy]

I will say it depends on where you breakdown. AAA's network can't be beat. I was stuck on the side of I65 in the middle of nowhere Indiana for 3 hours one night because Progressive's roadside assistance couldn't find me anyone to assist. A State trooper finally came along and helped me find someone local who I had to pay out of pocket. The guy said he was listed with AAA (and the help would have been covered). In the end I got help but it took WAY longer than if I'd had AAA and in the end Progressive's service was of no assistance. I signed up for AAA the next day and have been very pleased with them when I've called for help.

[@RandomFandomDragon]

@@amyshy - That's a fair point. For me, Progressive is sufficient and way cheaper, but if I traveled frequently or had lengthy commutes I would definitely consider AAA

[@lindsaythegreat]

Work expenses, for little things like fans/heaters, that fancy keyboard to replace the bog standard default, the paid Zoom account... things that aren't reimbursable but improve your quality of life at the place you spend too much of your time. It took to long to set up a Website category for my domain renewals, so now I put in $4 a month and all three are funded on a rotating basis, since they renew in different months.

[@FinancialSelfReliance]

These are some great tips. I have 5 kids and I can tell you that I have had some serious surprises every year before school... I wish I would have set money aside all year.

[@FeliciaWilliams1908]

Target or Tarjay if you are fancy has its own category because I have yet to walk out with only the 3 or 4 items I went for. Now at least I have set a limit which has helped me.

[@fallondavis747]

I also gave Target it’s own category lol

[@RoxieHuszar]

I make a shopping list & stick to that to avoid over-spending. I’ve promised myself if the item is not on said list, it doesn’t come home with me. #ynabbroke

[@rebeccanewell4385]

I have to pay for my driver's license every 4 years at $60. I've put this aside for a number of years now, and I don't worry if I have the money in January, after being off work for 2.5 weeks. However, had to get tires recently, was not prepared, $600+. I now have it in the budget! Thanks for sharing all these tips

[@wdeemarwdeemar8739]

I paused this video and went to my freezer and got some ice cream. Appears you forgot number 14 for the ice cream and frosting budget.

[@tiffanyg85455]

Some of my random categories: hair & skin care, HOA dues (we pay semiannually), home decor, valuable personal property insurance (we decided to stop paying it and just budget the premium ourselves instead), and personal electronics replacement (cell phones, tablets, computers, headphones, etc.)

[@samiam511]

phone replacement is a good one. Usually we wait until our phone is D.E.A.D to upgrade and we pay cash because the "free phone" in a plan is a ripoff. :O)

[@yuliaezhikova7971]

Watching this was such a strange experience for me. I live in a big city with a great public transportation system, so no car expenses. All license renewals are free in my country. I don't have pets. I don't have friends who would host a demanding wedding, and avoid any lavish wedding celebrations like the plague. Don't have kids. Halloween?! 😳🤷🏼‍♀️ Budgets are so personal, indeed! 😂😂😂

[@graphomanhu]

Much the same here :-) The beauties of (Central) Europe, I guess

[@lynnettemurphy8243]

@@graphomanhu So many of those categories seem wasteful to Europeans. I'm on the western edge of Europe.

[@PlaninProgress]

“Why are we paying for summer camp in November?” I feel so seen!

I had main categories (with subcategories): health (dentist, optician, glasses, annual medical tests), gifts for birthdays (every year: parents, kids, friends, other kids in my family), new phone as separately emergency fund, subscription paid annual (cloud, apps)

[@BethAnnesBest]

I love hp instant ink saves ink headaches I love the bringing something/potluck category it usually ends up in the grocery budget.

[@Raanan613]

BRILLIANT & you are TALENTED (!!!) & a DARLING for that call for your folks!!!

[@Cynderent]

Redoing my budget after really getting a handle on the budget and this has been super helpful! I actually already had my AAA membership on my budget though!! :D

[@Gendulf]

I created a more general "Holiday" category to cover things like the pumpkins we get, Halloween costumes and candy, Christmas decorations, Valentine's day, etc. It specifically excludes gifts, but allows us to get festive and decorate, or party a little to celebrate.

[@YNABofficial]

That is really smart! So many holidays I don't *think* about all the things I truly do want to spend money on, like treats at Valentines day or pumpkins at Halloween. Like a holiday catchall category!! -Hannah 🌻

[@toratoratori]

Depending on where you are, summer camp can be upwards of 3x what it's listed for here! $200-$1000 per kid? Maybe for just a week. If it's for the whole summer, you'd better be budgeting for the $2500-3500 mark.

[@jac_builtWoodworks]

I have a car maintenance fund, which includes Tyres, Car servicing (includes Oil change). That way it's not unexpected. That fact is the car is the biggest money pit on the planet. So you always need to plan ahead.

[@mellowyello1478]

Good idea breaking down auto maintenance into a few specific things; i just had a lump sum for "auto maintenance" but i know I'll be needing a new battery soon and new tires very, very soon. So its a good idea to plan ahead.

[@YNABofficial]

It's super helpful! Since we already know the general price tag of new tires, it's wise to save up for those separately-who says your battery can't also die the week you get new tires? That would take a REAL hit to the auto repair category, BUT not if you budget for them separately! -Hannah 🌻

[@elizabethman7313]

Oh, for sub- categories!🙏🏻

[@SheilaR.08]

I've had GEICO insurance forever, and the included roadside assistance has been a lifesaver. I've gotten jumpstarts, tire changes (when my SUV's spare was bolted to the undercarriage for some diabolical reason), and a fair number of tows to service stations. That and the no-charge windshield repairs for dings have saved me thousands. For tires, definitely rotate, and find a tire repair shop in your area. I've had flats and leaks patched, and even gotten pairs of used tires when new was not in the budget. I've saved quite a bit. Oil changes - I hate going. The major retailer in my area does a full-press sales pitch, and I'm always stressed and often get talked into unnecessary add-ons. I discovered a drive-thru oil change chain (Valvoline). No big pitch, no waiting in the weird little room watching Jerry Springer reruns with strangers, and I get reminders when it's time to go again, and usually a coupon. Easy peasy!

[@YNABofficial]

Literally laughed out loud at Jerry Springer reruns. Ha! Those waiting rooms are so odd. And ALWAYS smell like you're trapped inside a giant tire. Good tip on Valvoline! Get what you want, nothing more! -Hannah 🌻

[@StephenDelVecchio]

Your costume for #13 is AWESOME!!! Wear a lime green shirt and you could've been a Ryobi leaf blower :D

[@YNABofficial]

😂🌬️🍂 🌻 Hannah

[@elainemartinez1549]

Refrigerator filter!!!!! $45 dollars😳

[@doxiedonna]

We have the "Home Maintenance" for the bigger repairs and recently added "Home Misc" for all those other items. Like buying a replacement mixer paddle, refrig filter, security camera batteries, air filters, etc. We also added "Lawn & Garden" to keep up with all those outdoor expenses!!

[@YNABofficial]

Yes, that's so smart. While there are occasionally those big things to buy, most of the time there's lots of *little* things to buy, and they need their own category too!! -Hannah 🌻

[@clucibello9421]

CEUs!!! I'm a therapist, and although I have a "work expense" category, that's for everything ELSE (prize box crap--hey, I work with kids...etc).

[@YNABofficial]

Oh, I'm sure prize box items could REALLY add up in no time! Brilliant. -Hannah 🌻

[@2eastle]

Total ynab geek for sure as have most these categories (except no kids as they older). Got tires in February and already saving for the next set of new tires!! Learned the hard way last year when my passport expired and then the next month his did...yep we have a category called renewals!

[@team.barron]

I just added Tyres as a Category - inspired! These cost about £400 for each car. Love the passport category that someone below suggested - I need to replace two this year at about £80 each! I also have a category called Sonny, which is for my Highland Pony - so I can buy new kit for me or him when I need to! A saddle fitting is NOT cheap for instance :-)

[@YNABofficial]

Awww! Sonny made the budget! Gotta get that boy some new shoes, eh? 🐎 -Hannah 🌻

[@team.barron]

@@YNABofficial he is barefoot but I do need new boots for him 😁 ❤️

[@JL-zq4ig]

I call hospitality “gifts”, sometimes I divide transactions to categorize server tips as gifts, or use the fund to buy a random gift for someone, or contribute to a charity if the opportunity pops up.

[@katieegan5178]

You consider server tips to be gifts? Aren’t they really part of the “true cost” of dining out?

[@JL-zq4ig]

Katie Egan nope! When I look back after a month or a year at my dates and alcohol stats I feel better if it’s classified as a gift, and I’m a small town we usually know the servers, haha!

[@melissascohen3093]

@@JL-zq4ig I have "Gifts" as a main category, split into "Holiday Season," "Birthdays," "Other" (for wedding gifts, baby showers, etc), and one for "Because I Can!" since I like to treat folks :)

[@kristenrussell6825]

I have a conversion fees category because I live outside the US and sometimes my bank charges a small fee depending on what currency I use for the transaction.

[@ipage_ata_time6517]

I love your videos!!! They make me laugh so much. Thank you for making my YNAB journey enjoyable.

[@YNABofficial]

YAAAY!! I'm so glad they're as fun to watch as they are to make!! If only we could get a video like this on how to do your taxes... 😑 🌻 Hannah

[@MsLinaPeanut]

WOW-ALL VERY TRUE! Never thought of them and thank you for the tips!

[@YNABofficial]

Woo hoo, you're welcome!! Always tryna get that budget locked and loaded to combat the surprises! 🌻 Hannah

[@ElizabethDevlin]

Monthly contributions to my two young children’s 529 college savings account. 😊

[@Amanda-ep2mg]

OMG.... Birthday and anniversaries! I always forget to get gifts....but having extra to spend every month means that I get gifts out on time!

[@AmyFeistel]

Glad to see I have these covered already! Ha! And apparently I'm a full-on YNAB addict/nerd. I roll the auto stuff into one category that is separate from license/registration/property tax (all linked in my state). The school stuff (supplies/events) is "education" generally and separate from "summer" expenses like camp/lessons. I have a "gift" category that is all family/holiday gifts but includes money for hostess gifts and party food. The pet stuff is in a category that includes all pet-sitting needs, vaccinations/vet visits, and food. Don't forget to budget for phone apps and other software (e.g. YNAB).

[@ITSergioFelix]

Well... this stressed the hell out of me and my daughter is only 5 hahaha but at least I'll be prepared for what's coming now... thank you YNAB!

[@melanied6344]

So many good ideas! Thanks Hanna!

[@aka_Locke]

Love the renewals category. Thanks!

[@s.anderson823]

+1 for the treading water in case of Titanic situation. Same! Actually the swim lessons were put to good use just in the lake where upon I foolishly heeded a pre-teen's request to cross the lake by swimming. She got pooped mid-way, and I held onto her, treading water and somehow remaining calm, until we both caught our breath and continued to swim to the other side.

[@YNABofficial]

Holy cow! That's WILD. Super human strength and sustainability. I am super glad to have that skill. Still won't dive though 😉 And what's wrong with plugging your nose with you cannonball, anyway?! -Hannah 😎

[@kelly-cat-584]

I had almost all of these! My Vet category included annual exams, boarding, flea & heartworm medicine, and the arthritis Rx. The good thing about having a bulky category is that you can contribute monthly to smooth out the shock of the annual expenses. I don't have a wedding or hospitality category, but I do have Gifts, Holidays, and Donations. Gifts - birthdays, Mother's Day, graduations, Christmas, and other gifts Holidays - going home for Easter, Halloween candy, Christmas decorations, office potluck for Thanksgiving Giving - GoFundMe, charity Other random categories: Fees (late fees, library fines) Electronics + Accessories (phone case, battery replacement, cables, headphones, phone stand) Office supplies (planner, favorite pens, printer ink, document trays, lunch box, desk calendar) Car Registration Rental Car (for when mine is in the shop) I also separated Clothes and my Work Wardrobe.

[@YNABofficial]

Oooh, budgeting for a potential rental car is a brilliant idea. I need to step up my "holiday" game, because I LOVE going all out for the holidays (being the only childless, spouse-less sibling in m family, I've had a reputation for being the extravagant one 😂). Looks like it's time for me to get that budget more granular! -Hannah 🌻

[@cpowers94]

This is an eye opener... After watching this I realized that I'll need to renew my five-year driver's license in four months, and my passport needs to be renewed, too, so I just made that a true expenses category. I also made oil change and winter tires categories, because I just got a new car and want it to last for a while. 🙂

[@YNABofficial]

Oh, well YAY! Those are exactly the kinds of things we hope your budget will help you to remember! Budgeting done right 😎 -Hannah 🌻

[@alicerunion]

Thank you so much for this! I've been wanting to build out my auto category for when I inevitably need to get a new car, and this was so helpful. :) To go with renewals - license plate renewal (probably also gets wrapped up with driver's license renewals). Also, one thing I always forget to budget for - tax software and tax audit defense. It comes around every year at the beginning of the year, and I always seem to forget it. XD

[@YNABofficial]

Good call! Yes, I've used TurboTax the last few years and I ALWAYS forget that with my small freelance income I have to upgrade the software a bit. Definitely puts an unexpected dent in the wallet. Adding it now! -Hannah 🌻

[@thisisatonofbs]

Tires don't need to all be replaced at once, but should be replaced in pairs. So, failing to rotate them and the back ones still had plenty of tread means just the front pair get replaced.

[@AUSSIEYNABBER]

SWAG sale is a great category!

[@stevesandis7775]

I friggin love these. Does anyone have any insight into what software they might be using to produce the videos? Just curious. Thanks!

[@YNABofficial]

Hi Steve! Hannah and I both edit our videos in Adobe Premiere Pro. But I've also heard great things about Final Cut and Da Vinci Resolve. - Ben M

[@stevesandis7775]

@@YNABofficial Thanks for the reply, Ben! :) So, does Premiere Pro allow you to create all the cool text overlays and animations?

[@joseramongarcialayos4337]

Oh where can I find the mug and the sticker? :D

[@YNABofficial]

Jose, we sold them this past year on our swag sale! It only happens here and there, and only for a few days at a time, so make sure to keep an eye out for any future swag sales!! You can do that by keeping up with our instagram or following our email newsletter. -Hannah 🌻

[@joseramongarcialayos4337]

@@YNABofficial awesomesauce, will stay alert thanks :)

[@MWR1F58]

I bought a mega tank Canon printer and have been thrilled to not need to replace ink every 3 months. It has a capacity of 7,000 pages!!!

[@bestcee]

We have holidays. That's for everything but Christmas gifts. Easter basket, valentine's gifts & dinner, Thanksgiving Turkey, Christmas ham.

[@YNABofficial]

Smart!! Easter baskets! Valentines! Yup yup yup, those holidays can get way more expensive than we ever anticipate. An easter basket out of the blue can take a real hit to the budgey budge. -Hannah 🌻

[@reneewittman3294]

I have a two once-a-year categories: Gardening and Apple Orchards. It's a seasonal event here to go the orchards and buy apples, have caramel apples, buy pumpkins and other seasonal yums. For gardening - the seeds I put in during the spring and supplies I prep the beds with yearly. We have a separate gifting category (separate from buying gifts or donating) for that poor sad abused dog I saw on Facebook or this guy lost his house in a fire or and I want to donate to his GoFundMe or what not. This way I can happily put a bit of money towards his surgery or whatever and not break the bank trying to WHAM donations like this every time..

[@mrachel3]

Under pets...I would add ‘teeth cleaning’. It’s crazy expensive because of anesthesia and is every 2 or 3 years.

[@clucibello9421]

Oh my gosh...I am holding an estimate now for $543, including catheterization, fluids, infusion pump, meds, canine dental radiography, fluoride treatment, etc... I also got the impression that the vet tech is used to people setting up the appointment ASAP, whereas I was that YNAB lady who said, "I'll have to budget for that..."

[@nataliewinfield9750]

We used to do this with our small dog, until I found that giving my dog a bone to chew on cleaned his teeth beautifully- no more anesthesia for him.

[@niecy803able]

@@nataliewinfield9750, we have a shi tzu, what kind of bones?

[@pran8418]

Love using your app (bit costly in Indian standard). BTW if you can plan and prepare your budget, maintain your car is far easier (and will save a ton). love - Pranab

[@maxpedroza7144]

This is very helpful! Thank you! Do you have an example of what your budget area looks like in YNAB?

[@lisaroper421]

Yes, Halloween is my love language! I feel seen! Although my money goes to the suplies to make the costumes! 🎭

[@m0503893]

Can we talk about when the next Swag Sale will be? I need a YNAB mug in my life.

[@YNABofficial]

Oh Meghan... it's a brewin'... -Hannah 🌻

[@amandanance9136]

I don't have AAA because my car insurance has 8 towers and long distances. AAA and car insurance can overlap in services so Check them both to see if they are both needed. Also car insurance has medical on it make sure that is used if needed.

[@jenniferremy7854]

Vehicle yearly registration, car washes, glasses, dental costs, kids sports. Etc just a few more things to add

[@YNABofficial]

Kids sports, yes! I've heard those fees are killer! Uniforms and new gear and everything in between. -Hannah 🌻

[@NathanMaingard]

This was awesome, thank you!

[@CodrutaChira]

hello! can you please make a video about the delete and merge categories?

[@YNABofficial]

Well, if that isn't a brilliant idea! I'll add it to my list! Thanks for the suggestion! -Hannah 😎

[@CodrutaChira]

Thank you! ❤️

[@gannon5]

oh man i was the only person i knew until now, who refused to dive head first into the pool lol. love your videos!

[@nodi17p]

The car expenses has been one of the few categories I struggled with, this is a really neat idea.

[@MightandMagic88]

I have a group for Auto Expenses, here's my categories if it helps: "New" car, Auto Insurance, Tabs (for each car), Oil changes, tires, detailing, misc maintenance, AAA, and driver's license renewal.

[@YNABofficial]

Yes! I'll also have a video coming out in a few weeks that explores few different ways to organize all your different categories, one of which helps you be more in tune with things like how much money is *truly* going into your car (or your house, or your food... whatever!). Keep an eye out for that one! It very much mimics what @MightandMagic88 is talk about! -Hannah 🌻

[@Shello58]

We have CAA in 🇨🇦 and my annual membership fee is more than covered in roadside calls each year.

[@kyleporche7680]

I thought I was on top of everything, I had forgot to budget for tax preparation.

[@sct4040]

Try Turbo tax only $40, download from Amazon, but you need a computer.

[@hi-ccowboy7983]

Maybe I’m lazy, but I have a fairly long list of annual expenses that are very predictable. I have an annual expenses category that is roughly $500 a month. Easy Peezy

[@jdh9606]

This is not lazy, it is efficient.

[@bradfranklin-j66co]

4:26 renewals yearly due to

[@arubafanatic]

Adding a new phone category. My phone is only a year old, but with the prices of phones now I want to budget earlier. I hate rolling the phone 📱 cost into my bill. Buying the phone 🤳 separately allows you to shop around and compare prices and get the best deals.

[@YNABofficial]

YES! Brilliant. Phones can be such a money suck, even if you're just "upgrading" 😑 Maybe my husband and I should start some new phone categories... mine holds a charge for all of one hours these days, it seems. 🌻 Hannah

[@kimberlyw6940]

We have birthday, sympathy (attending funeral or sending something to the family) and charity categories.

[@YNABofficial]

Yes! Sympathy is one we never think of, but when it comes around we really would love to all have some budgeted money to work with. Great share, Kimberly! -Hannah 🌻