12 Annual Expenses People Forget to Budget For (2026 Guide)

 Most people budget for the obvious monthly bills…

but it’s the annual and unexpected expenses that destroy savings and push people into credit card debt.

Here are 12 annual expenses people in the U.S. and Canada often forget to budget for — and simple ways to stay prepared in 2026. How to Save Money Without Feeling Broke (10 Simple Strategies for 2026)

---

1. Car Insurance Premiums

Many people pay this yearly or semi-annually.
The bill can be hundreds of dollars at once.

Fix:
Divide your yearly cost by 12 and save monthly.

---

2. Vehicle Registration & Inspection Fees

Every state and province has renewal fees — small, but easy to forget.

Fix:
Set a reminder one month before renewal.

---

3. Property Taxes (or Municipal Taxes)

Homeowners get hit with a large bill once or twice a year.

Fix:
Put aside money monthly based on last year’s bill.

---

4. Annual Medical or Dental Expenses

Things like:

• eye exams

• dental cleanings

• fillings

• prescriptions

These can surprise families.

---

5. Holiday Gifts & Celebrations

Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries…
Most people spend way more than they expect.

Fix:
Estimate your yearly gift spending and divide by 12.

---

6. School-Related Costs

Back-to-school shopping, supplies, sports fees, field trips.

Fix:
Plan for this every August/September.

---

7. Home Maintenance & Repairs

Things like:

• HVAC service

• lawn care

• snow removal

• appliance repair

Homeowners should budget 1–3% of their home value yearly.

---

8. Car Maintenance

Oil changes, tires, brakes, filters — these happen every year.

Fix:
Mark your mileage and estimate yearly maintenance.

---

9. Subscriptions Renewing Annually

Many services are billed yearly, like:

• domain names

• software

• cloud storage

• antivirus

• Amazon Prime

These surprise people.

---

10. Memberships

Gym, clubs, sports leagues, professional memberships — many renew once a year.

Fix:
List all recurring memberships in one place.

---

11. Travel Costs

Even one small vacation sends budgets flying.

Fix:
Plan your yearly trip early and set a monthly savings target.

---

12. Emergency or “Life Happens” Expenses

Things like:

• broken phone

• vet bills

• job-related costs

• sudden repairs

This is why an emergency fund is essential.

---

⭐ Final Thoughts

Annual expenses are predictable — we just forget them.
By preparing for these 12 items throughout the year, you can avoid surprise bills and protect your budget all year long.

Your wallet (and your stress level) will thank you. How to Create a Beginner Budget (A Simple 5-Step Guide for 2026)