Dave Ramsey Said You Need to Plan for Some Big Spring Expenses. Here’s How

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Spring has sprung, and Dave Ramsey notes that this season often comes with some added costs. Read on to learn about some expenses to plan for and tips on how to do it. 

The spring season is upon us, bringing warmer weather and an upcoming end to a school year. This time of year is an exciting one, as flowers start to bloom and summer seems like it is just around the corner.

It’s also an expensive one, though. In fact, finance expert Dave Ramsey has warned there are several major expenses this season you should be prepared for. Here are some of the costs you should prepare your bank account for, along with some tips on how to make sure you’re ready for spring (and other seasonal) expenses.

Spring expenses Ramsey says to prepare for

Ramsey has a long list of spring expenses that many people are likely to face, including the following:

Mother’s Day gifts and celebrationsTax paymentsExpenses for the end of the school year if you have childrenLandscaping and gardening as the weather grows warmerGifts for graduations as the school year comes to an endGifts for weddings as the wedding season beginsWarm-weather activities that tend to start in the springSummer sports and summer camps for kidsOrganizational gear if you’re doing some spring cleaning

While likely not all of these seasonal items are on your list, chances are good that at least some will be, and it’s important to be ready for the added costs.

How to make sure you’re financially ready for every season

These are just some of the many irregular costs that could hit you this time of year. And it’s not just springtime that brings expenses, either.

Every season has its own unique events that could lead to big credit card bills, whether it’s back-to-school shopping for the start of the year or holiday shopping and snowplowing during the winter months, or vacations and landscaping costs during the summer season.

The reality is, you need to be ready to adjust your budget and prepare for the seasonal and irregular expenses that you’ll face all year long — usually by thinking ahead and saving for them throughout the year. For example, if you know you’re going to have a $1,000 tax bill come April, you’ll want to save for that during the year rather than scrambling to come up with it as tax season approaches. Likewise, if you know your spouse’s birthday is in October, you may want to save a little bit over time for that extra special gift you’re hoping to buy.

The best way to make sure you’re prepared for all these costs is to go over your last 12 months of credit card statements and take a look at important dates on a calendar.

Make a list of the different expenditures you’ll have throughout each season, figure out how much you need to cover them, and set aside a fund for bigger expenses that you can’t pay for all at once. You can even contribute to a dedicated savings account for each of these seasonal costs a little bit each month so you’re ready when they arise.

If you don’t want to find yourself surprised by the spring expenses Ramsey has warned you to get ready for, taking these steps can help ensure you’re always ready when these and other irregular costs come your way.

Ramsey himself has recommended both adding a seasonal budget category as well as line items for certain expenses, and following his advice could help ensure you don’t face financial worries as a new time of the year brings new expenses.

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