JESSE MECHAM FULL

It's always the last thing you expect, and it feels like you just paid it.oh, wait.six months ago.

You know the feeling when that huge bill hits your mailbox. Car insurance premiums are one of the biggest offenders here. Or at least, we all have access to this information if we bother to pay attention. Although they take many people by surprise, we all know exactly when they're due and how much they'll cost. Your predictable expenses are, well, predictable. Infrequent expenses generally fall into two camps: Predictable, and Unpredictable but Inevitable.

JESSE MECHAM FULL

The concept of 'true expenses' helps us see that what we usually think of as our expenses don't capture the full picture. When I talk about embracing them, I'm specifically focusing on the infrequent expenses that tend to sneak up on us, but to be clear, your true expenses are ALL of your expenses-the daily, the monthly, and the irregular ones that we often forget. 'True expenses' are not just the regular, monthly expenses that you need to keep your life running. Think long, act now, and you'll have the money for all of it. What's coming can be anything from a bill to a big life goal.

It lets you get a grip on what's coming so you're not stuck holding an empty bag when you need money later. It's all about thinking long, and acting now. I know that sounds a little like infomercial-speak, but stay with me (because it's not). It has the power to completely transform your money situation. To start, break down big expenses by assigning dollars to them each month.

Jesse mecham