Variable expenses are costs that change over time, such as groceries or movie tickets. They are the opposite of fixed expenses, which are costs that typically remain the same in price and frequency. Variable expenses can be essential, like groceries, or optional, like movie tickets. Some variable expenses are predictable, like the cost of gas, while others are unpredictable, like emergency medical expenses. Examples of variable expenses include gas, groceries, dining out, takeout, delivery, clothing, vacation costs, holiday gifts, and movie tickets. Variable expenses can be more easily controlled than others, and they can be adjusted quickly. The level of variable cost is influenced by many factors, such as fixed cost, duration of the project, uncertainty, and discount rate.