🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Pet Care and Vet Visits
If you’ve ever had a pet, you know those “surprise” vet bills hit harder than your morning coffee.
A pet sinking fund keeps you ready for everything from vaccines to emergency visits without panicking at the counter.
Even the furriest family members deserve their own budget line.
Routine vet visits: Budget for annual exams, shots, and flea treatments.
Emergency care: Have funds for surprise illnesses or injuries.
Pet supplies: Include food, grooming, or toys that always seem to run out.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Figure out your pet’s average yearly expenses, divide by 12, and save that monthly in a separate fund.
2. Kid Expenses
Kids grow faster than your paycheck, don’t they?
Between school supplies, sports fees, and last-minute costume days, a sinking fund for kid expenses saves you from surprise spending sprees.
It’s basically a mom survival kit. But in savings form.
School costs: Include fees, uniforms, and class projects.
Activities: Plan for sports gear, art classes, or summer camps.
Clothing: Save for seasonal wardrobe upgrades and those “oops, they outgrew that overnight” moments.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Estimate how much you usually spend per child in a year and save a small amount every paycheck.
Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate savings for your child-related expenses effortlessly.
3. Travel and Vacation Savings
Nothing feels better than going on vacation. Except going on vacation knowing it’s already paid for.
A travel sinking fund lets you say yes to spontaneous trips without wrecking your budget.
Think of it as buying future peace of mind, one deposit at a time.
Transportation: Save for flights, gas, or car rentals.
Lodging: Cover hotels, Airbnb stays, or family-friendly resorts.
Fun money: Set aside for dining, excursions, and those irresistible souvenirs.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set a realistic travel goal, divide the total by how many months you have, and start saving automatically.
4. When You Need a Break
Every mom deserves a “me fund”. Yes, even if it’s just for coffee and quiet.
This sinking fund covers your sanity savers: self-care, spa days, or even a solo Target run that lasts a little too long.
Because let’s be honest, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Self-care treats: Budget for massages, manicures, or a new book.
Small getaways: Save for a weekend trip or a day off with friends.
Mental health days: Have cash ready for therapy or stress relief activities.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Transfer a small percentage of every paycheck into your “Mom Fund” and protect it like it’s sacred.
Make It Easy: Consider a mini wallet just for your self-care money so it feels special.
5. Big Annual Expenses Like Taxes or Insurance
Big bills have a bad habit of showing up when you’re least ready.
Having a sinking fund for yearly costs like taxes, insurance, or car registration keeps your budget smooth all year long.
No more panic-paying from your savings account.
Insurance payments: Save for car, home, or health premiums.
Taxes: Build up for self-employment or property taxes.
Renewals: Include subscriptions, licenses, and other yearly fees.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Add up your yearly bills, divide by 12, and move that amount into a designated sinking fund monthly.
Make It Easy: Consider using a small accordion file to separate each type of annual bill.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
