March Budget Categories (2024)

March is almost here, and it’s time to start looking at your March budget and get it set up. As you’re getting your budget and financial goals for the month ahead, don’t forget about these categories.

Tax Prep

Taxes in the US are due next month. If you’re savvy, you can do them yourselves. If not, you’ll want to factor in the cost of having someone prepare and file your taxes for you.

Spring Sports

If you didn’t get a chance to buy spring sporting items in February, you’ll want to get it done this month. For us, soccer starts at the beginning of April. Also, keep in mind any fundraisers you’ll need to do as well.

Continue Annual Sinking Funds

You’re heading into the third month of the year, which means that by the end of March you should be a quarter of the way towards your annual savings goal. Make sure to keep up with it! It’s savings with a purpose!

Clearance Clothing

March is when I start checking clearance racks at our local stores for winter clothes in the next size up for next year. Two of my kids have slowed their growth for now, that I can get away with buying the next size up. Bookworm, on the other hand, is hitting that teenage stride where he’s not growing by the inch, but by the foot.

Clearance School Items

I know what you’re thinking, but clearance school items? In March? And to that, I say yes! After school has started, most items get placed on clearance to sell quickly, but other items get stocked throughout the rest of the store. Thermos containers, for instance, are one of those items. I love using Thermos containers for water bottles, and to store hot or cold lunches for my kids {you can check out more of my lunch box must-haves here}. Finding lunch box items at a fraction of their retail cost is an excellent way to reduce your back to school costs.

Spring Break

We’re never so lucky to get an entire week off for spring break; we usually have to make up snow days. If you’re lucky enough to have a spring break, I’m jealous. You’ll have to figure out what you’ll be doing for spring break. If you’re packing up the family and going somewhere, make sure you set a budget and stay within it. If you can’t due to work, you’ll have to account for the extra daycare/babysitter costs for spring break. Speaking from experience, I would always forget about the extra money to daycare until it was owed, and that’s a bad thing.

Holidays

Easter and Passover vary when they arrive each year. Be sure to budget for everything that you need to celebrate, whether it’s travel expenses, potluck dinners, or outfits.

Summer Activities

February and March are usually when signups for summer activities occur. Whether they’re marching band camps, summer sports camps, or week-long activities, you’ll want to start saving for them now.

Lawn & Garden

If you’re somewhere that you’re able to start mowing your lawn, what’s it like? We still have snow on the ground! Whether you pay someone to care for your lawn, or you do it yourself, you’ll want to include lawn care in your monthly budget now.

If you’re starting a garden, March is when I start to purchase the bulk of my seeds and think about other items I’ll need for the month, such as a load of topsoil to top off some raised beds, or mulch for around the flower beds.

Pest Control

With warmer weather comes more critters! If you are the time that likes to spray for a variety of pests – ticks and spiders come to mind – make sure you budget for it rather than be surprised by a large bill later.

Summer Sinking Funds

Are there any activities or vacations you’re planning for the summer? Now would be a good time to start saving for them. For us personally, I have to have a down payment for Bookworm’s second round of orthodontics by mid-July, so I’ll start saving for that now too.

Frozen Food Month

March is National Frozen Food Month, so if you’re looking to stock up your freezer again at a reasonable price, you’ll want to set a limit on what you need and what you’re willing to spend.

Looking to set up your budget for a different month?

• February Budget Categories
• January Budget Categories
• December Budget Categories

Are there any other budget categories you included in your March budget that aren’t on this list? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to add them!