Fixed Charge

See: Fixed Cost.

Things we pay for on a regular basis that always cost the same.

When we figure out our monthly budget, we probably (or at least, probably should) factor in our fixed charges—the stuff we pay the same amount for every month—first.

Let's say our rent if $1,150 every month. That’s a fixed charge. So is our cell phone bill, if we’re on one of those sweet unlimited plans.

Car insurance, car payments, regular medications, cable and internet services, and student loan payments also all constitute fixed charges, because we pay them on a schedule and they’re always the same.

We might pay for other stuff on a regular basis—gas, electricity, groceries—but since the costs of those things usually vary from month to month, we don’t consider them “fixed.” We call those variable charges, and they can be a little harder to budget for. But equally important.