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1. Car Repairs and Maintenance
Nothing ruins a good week faster than your car breaking down right before payday.
Having a car sinking fund saves you from panic and pricey credit card charges when that check engine light pops up.
You’ll thank yourself later when you can fix things without stressing your main budget.
- Oil changes and tire rotations: Set aside a small monthly amount so you’re never short.
- Emergency fixes: Plan for unexpected repairs like batteries or brakes.
- Annual maintenance: Keep a separate note for yearly services like inspections.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Create a car fund and transfer $40–$60 monthly into it before anything breaks.
Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automatically save and grow your car fund in the background.
2. Medical and Dental Expenses
You never realize how expensive “being healthy” is until you get hit with a surprise bill.
Setting up a medical sinking fund helps you handle costs that insurance doesn’t fully cover.
Because honestly, no one wants to choose between a tooth filling and their grocery budget.
- Routine visits: Budget for checkups, copays, and lab fees.
- Prescriptions: Include recurring costs like medications or supplements.
- Emergency care: Keep enough for unexpected doctor visits or urgent care.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Estimate your yearly out-of-pocket medical expenses and divide them by 12 for a monthly goal.
Make It Easy: Consider a waterproof accordion folder to store receipts and health-related paperwork neatly.
3. Annual Subscriptions and Memberships
Ever had Netflix, Amazon, or Spotify renew all at once? Yeah… it’s brutal.
A subscription sinking fund smooths out those yearly or quarterly renewals so they don’t sneak up on you.
You’ll stay organized and keep your services running without hitting “insufficient funds.”
- Streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, you name it.
- Software tools: Budget for yearly renewals like antivirus or Canva Pro.
- Memberships: Include gyms, clubs, or online communities.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make a list of all subscriptions and divide the total by 12 to save monthly.
Make It Easy: Use Rocket Money to track and cancel unused subscriptions automatically.
4. Holiday and Gift Spending
Let’s be real. December always sneaks up like a ninja.
Holiday shopping, birthdays, baby showers… they all hit your wallet when you least expect it.
A gift sinking fund lets you give generously without racking up debt.
- Holiday gifts: Save for Christmas, Hanukkah, or any major holiday.
- Birthday presents: Keep a set amount for friends and family each month.
- Special events: Plan for weddings, graduations, or anniversaries.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Estimate how much you spend on gifts yearly and stash away a small amount monthly.
Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate and grow your holiday savings throughout the year.
5. Home Repairs and Upkeep
A leaky roof, broken fridge, or busted A/C can empty your savings fast.
A home sinking fund keeps you ready for life’s little (and not-so-little) surprises.
Think of it as your house’s emergency cushion. it’ll save you from maxing out a card.
- Routine maintenance: Filters, paint touch-ups, or seasonal yard work.
- Appliance repairs: Cover replacements for washers, fridges, or microwaves.
- Unexpected damage: Storm repairs or plumbing emergencies.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set aside 1% of your home’s value each year for upkeep and emergencies.
Make It Easy: Consider a sturdy home maintenance binder to track receipts and repair costs.
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌
