What are fixed expenses?

• A. Expenses that recur at fixed intervals and are often the same amount.
• B. Expenses that vary monthly.
• C. One-time purchases.
• D. Investments.

Answer: (A)

Fixed expenses are the costs you pay on a regular schedule and that stay about the same amount each time. This predictability is what makes them fixed, and it helps you budget because you know exactly how much will leave your money each period. Examples include regular payments like rent or a mortgage, car loans, and insurance premiums that bill monthly. They’re not easily changed in the short term, unlike other expenses that can move up or down from month to month.

In contrast, variable expenses change month to month based on usage or choices, such as groceries or utilities. One-time purchases happen only once and don’t recur, so they aren’t fixed expenses. Investments aren’t expenses—they’re a use of funds toward assets or future growth, even if done on a regular schedule.