It’s difficult to figure out life completely or plan for every possible eventuality. It’s the same with unforeseen costs in your budget. There are non-negotiable expenses that must go into your budget. However, some expenses are difficult to plan for and this is where you might get caught unprepared. Here are some ideas to help you stay ahead of things.
1. Fire Safety
Fires are devastating and can leave you with nothing. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, the number of yearly electrical fires falls to around 5,300. Electrical fires can be traced to faulty electrical outlets, worn out and poorly grounded sockets, and loose wiring, among other mistakes. When electric equipment is left unattended in the house, chances of it causing fire are high. Get an electrician to check your house’s wiring, sockets, and other electrical outlets.
The electrician will recommend critical repairs and replacements. Avoid letting electrical appliances and equipment overheat or run unattended. Save on your finances by installing smoke alarms to alert you in case of a fire. An intelligent smoke detector will send an alert to your phone in the event of a fire. Always test the smoke alarms once a year.
Next, invest in a fire extinguisher. A small, handheld fire extinguisher is powerful in containing a fire before it gets out of control. It can save your house from completely burning down.
2. Protect your Car
A vehicle is an expensive investment. If you live in an area prone to extreme weather and you don’t have a garage, don’t worry. There are other ways to solve this problem. Get a good quality car cover to shield your car from the elements.
Even the most expensive car cover cannot be as expensive as the damage from hail dents, which costs $2,500 on average, depending on the severity of the damage, according to Auto Chimps. When the hail alert goes out, go out and cover your car. You are almost 100% assured your car will be safe from hail dents.
Keep your vehicle serviced and in running condition. During the scheduled service, ensure the oils are changed and the tires inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications. Ensure your gas tank is at least half filled up and avoid driving your vehicle when its gas tank light is on.
Schedule regular cleaning appointments for your car and get it waxed once every half year to preserve its paint and prevent corrosion. Don’t skip the major services that require changing old, used parts such as spark plugs, oil filters, fuel filters, and brake pads. The more effort put into maintaining your vehicle, the more you may be able to save in the long run.
3. Get a Second Job
Think of taking a second job to finance unexpected expenses. You can work a few hours as a cashier or counter worker in a fast food outlet. You could also sign up to petsit in your free time or train as a plumber to earn a few extra dollars fixing plumbing issues in people’s homes and workplaces. According to IBISWorld, 563,002 people currently work in the plumbing industry in the United States.
There are many apps that make it easy to make some additional income. Register your vehicle on any ride-share company to make some extra dollars. This is a good side hustle since you can do it anytime and anywhere.
There are many ideas for making money so you can set some aside to meet unexpected costs. You’ll become financially stable and thrive once you start acting. There are many more ways you can prepare. The changes may not come to you overnight, but they will put you on the winning path.