Which of the following best defines fixed expenses?

Fixed expenses are best defined as regular and predictable costs that remain largely unchanged over a period of time, typically on a monthly or annual basis. This includes expenses like rent or mortgage payments, insurance premiums, and loan payments, which are consistent in amount and frequency. Understanding fixed expenses is crucial for financial planning, as they represent the baseline costs that must be managed regardless of other variable expenses that may fluctuate.

The other definitions do not accurately capture the essence of fixed expenses. For example, expenses that vary significantly each month refer to variable expenses, which can change based on consumption or other factors. One-off costs that are not recurring describe incidental expenses rather than fixed costs, while non-essential costs that can be eliminated align more with discretionary expenses. Discretionary expenses are those that individuals can choose to adjust or eliminate depending on their budgeting choices, unlike fixed expenses which are obligatory and remain consistent.