Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Springtime Costs
During the winter, you know that you have to budget for the holidays. You can expect to spend money during the winter on gifts, travel, increased heating bills, and winterizing your car. During the summer, it’s likely that people want to take a trip, small or large, so you know to budget for things like an upcoming vacation or a weekend getaway.
Springtime in Canada comes with its own set of costs. We usually need to catch up on maintenance for our homes after a hard winter. Or maybe we need to pay extra childcare for the March break. When unexpected costs catch us by surprise, it can cause serious financial stress. Luckily, you can relieve that stress with a payday loan from a reputable provider. Just follow this link to discover your borrowing options for an online short-term loan.
Still, you want to be ready for the unexpected. You want your setbacks to be as few and far-between as possible. Here are some springtime costs that you can expect to crop up as the snow melts away. Take these into consideration when planning your budget.
Taxes
Tax season comes but once a year and for Canadians, springtime means taxes. If you are self-employed or run a small business, this might be the time of year where you have to pay your HST back to the province. You need to budget year-round for things like HST and pension plan contributions, keeping track of your earnings and deductibles so your taxes don’t take you by surprise.
It can be a huge relief to get a professional to help you file your taxes. Tax services are widely accessible, but they aren’t free. If you plan on using an accountant or tax software, take the cost into consideration for your budget.
Car Tune-Ups
Even as impressive technology promises us things like self-driving cars, Canadian winters still take a toll on our vehicles. And while you might not need to go for a full spring tune-up anymore, there are some things your car will need. Consider these costs, whether it be a new pair of wipers and windshield washer fluid or the switch to all-season tires.
One tip for saving money with spring car care is to look for manufacturer rebates on new sets of tires. It’s unsafe and uneconomical to drive on winter tires through the summer, so make room for new tires in your budget for the spring.
Air Conditioning
Imagine this: it’s a hot day, the first hot day of the year, and you eagerly turn on your air conditioning unit and wait for sweet relief. Now imagine that there’s some issue and now your air conditioner won’t start up. Prepare your air conditioner for summer by doing minor maintenance like filter replacement and cleaning the area around your air conditioner to avoid this nasty surprise.
Try turning your unit on before you need it to see how it works. A tune up from a professional is a great way to extend the life of your unit. To protect your investment and ensure you stay cool and comfortable this summer, prepare your budget accordingly.
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