Surprises are nice at birthdays and other special days. The surprise that usually comes at the cash register is not so pleasant. More often than not it usually means paying more than what the mark price says.

Back when I lived in California, every baseball season I would get at least 4 to 6 tickets for a couple of games to watch a San Francisco Giants game. A few friends and I would go up to San Francisco for the day and watch the game.

Those trips to Candlestick Park cost me a lot more than just the gas to drive up there. There were t-shirts, food, drink, and parking of the car. Sure, my friends always chipped to help with the gas. We all had to pay for our own after the gasoline.

We did save money by using those free tickets, and going as a group. However, I usually spent from $50 to $100 every time we went. This was back in the early 1990′s. Today, it could be up to $200.

There a lot of places where you have to watch out for things costing you more than you planned. Today I want to share with you my top 5 places, that I exect to pay more than what they orginally plan.

5. Grocery Store – When taking the whole family, or going to the store tired even or hungery will find you walking up to the check out line with more items you orginally than you planned on buying.

4. Buying a Laptop – Laptop’s and netbooks more so than any other computer ends up costing more than the sticker price at the office supply or computer store. There is extra warrenty, carrying bag, external mouse, backup exteral hard drive, and antivirus software. That is another $200 or $300 easy.

3. Doctor’s Office – Yes, the doctor’s charge a basic office visit, but if you are really sick and need to get in right away. They will charge you more. Then you never see the cost of X-rays, medicine, or special treatment until you are walking out.

2. Special Meals – Whenever we fix some dinner at home, that we have never done or have not done in years,  the cost is usually double what we think it will cost. Spices, meats, and other items we do not have. Then we always have leftovers of those ingredients.

1. Tires for the Car – The only way I have been able to get a acurate quote on tires is by picking out the tires. Looking the manager in the eye. Then asking him or her for the price after mounting, balanceing, and disposal of the old tires.

Tags: dining out, Doctor's Office, grocery store, Special Meals, Tires