Why might variable expenses change a great deal at different times of year? Heating and cooling costs might vary considerably. Income taxes and withholdings may increase or decrease. Car loan payments become higher in certain seasons. Discretionary spending may rise when fixed expenses rise.

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Variable expenses can fluctuate significantly throughout the year due to various seasonal factors. Here are the primary reasons why this happens:

1. **Heating and Cooling Costs**:
   - **Seasonal Weather Changes**: During colder months, heating costs typically rise, while warmer months see an increase in cooling (air conditioning) expenses. These utilities are directly impacted by the external temperature and can lead to noticeable changes in monthly bills.

2. **Discretionary Spending**:
   - **Holidays and Special Occasions**: Certain times of the year, such as holidays, birthdays, or special events, often lead to increased spending on gifts, travel, dining out, and entertainment. This discretionary spending can cause variable expenses to spike during these periods.

3. **Income Variations Affecting Taxes and Withholdings**:
   - **Seasonal Employment or Bonuses**: If you have seasonal work or receive bonuses at specific times of the year, your overall income may fluctuate. This can lead to changes in income tax withholdings, thereby affecting your variable expenses related to taxes.

4. **Additional Seasonal Expenses**:
   - **Maintenance and Transportation**: Certain seasons may require extra maintenance for vehicles or homes (e.g., snow removal in winter, roof repairs before spring). While car loan payments themselves are typically fixed, additional costs related to upkeep can vary seasonally.

**Less Likely Factors**:
- **Car Loan Payments**: Generally, car loan payments are fixed and do not change with the seasons. However, ancillary costs like insurance premiums or maintenance might see seasonal variations.

In summary, the most significant contributors to changes in variable expenses throughout the year are fluctuations in heating and cooling costs, discretionary spending related to holidays and events, and variations in income that affect tax withholdings. While some expenses like car loans are fixed, the associated costs can still experience seasonal adjustments.
Variable expenses change throughout the year due to seasonal variations in heating and cooling costs, increased discretionary spending during holidays and special events, and fluctuations in income that affect tax withholdings.

Why might variable expenses change a great deal at different times of year? Heating and cooling costs might vary considerably. Income taxes and withholdings may increase or decrease. Car loan payments become higher in certain seasons. Discretionary spending may rise when fixed expenses rise.

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