Budgeting · Worksheet

Fixed and Variable Expenses Worksheet

Students learn to sort expenses into two essential categories — fixed costs that stay the same each month and variable costs that fluctuate — then apply that framework to a realistic monthly budget scenario.

Grades 6–12 Worksheet 20–30 min Member Resource

What Students Learn

Learning objectives

The definition of a fixed expense — a cost that stays predictable each month (rent, loan payment, subscription)
The definition of a variable expense — a cost that changes month to month (groceries, utilities, entertainment)
How to categorize a list of common household expenses as fixed or variable
Why this distinction matters for budget planning — fixed costs set the floor, variable costs create flexibility
How to identify which expenses are easiest to reduce when a budget needs to be cut

For Teachers

How to use this resource

Use this worksheet early in a budgeting unit — it is the conceptual bridge between “spending money” and “building a real budget.” Students who can sort expenses into fixed and variable are much better equipped to spot where a budget can be trimmed when income changes. Works well as a warm-up before the Create a Budget lesson plan, and as a companion worksheet during the First Paycheck, Real Choices lesson when students work through the 50/30/20 budgeting framework.

Member Resource