Guide
Budget categories list
Use this as a starting set for a monthly budget. Copy the groups that match your life, delete the rest, and rename anything that does not sound like how you actually spend. Ten to fifteen active groups is plenty — a list you never look at is worse than a short one you keep current.
How to organize them
- 1. Start with groups, not line items. Pick the eight to ten headings below that apply, then add subcategories only where you want separate numbers.
- 2. Split recurring from variable. Rent, insurance and subscriptions repeat at the same amount each month. Groceries and eating out change, so they are worth logging purchase by purchase.
- 3. Decide what rolls over. Annual costs like car repairs or holidays work best when unused budget carries into the next month; everyday categories usually reset.
- 4. Give savings its own group. Treat contributions as planned spending so the leftover figure is honest.
- 5. Review after one month. Merge categories you never used and split any that hide too much.
Expense categories and subcategories
Housing
Usually the largest fixed block — most items recur monthly.
- Rent or mortgage
- Property taxes
- HOA or condo fees
- Electricity
- Gas / heating
- Water and sewer
- Trash and recycling
- Internet
- Repairs and maintenance
- Furniture and household goods
Transportation
Mix of recurring payments and variable fuel or fare spending.
- Car payment
- Fuel / charging
- Car insurance
- Maintenance and repairs
- Registration and licensing
- Parking and tolls
- Public transit passes
- Rideshare and taxis
Food
Keep groceries and eating out separate — the split is where most budgets leak.
- Groceries
- Eating out
- Coffee shops
- Delivery and takeout
- Work lunches
Insurance and health
Mostly recurring; add a buffer line for deductibles.
- Health insurance premiums
- Dental and vision
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Prescriptions
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Therapy and counseling
Personal and family
Highly individual — trim what does not apply to you.
- Clothing and shoes
- Haircuts and personal care
- Gym and fitness
- Childcare and babysitting
- School fees and supplies
- Kids' activities
- Pet food and supplies
- Vet care
- Gifts
Subscriptions and services
Almost always recurring — review this group quarterly.
- Mobile phone
- Streaming video and music
- Cloud storage and software
- News and memberships
- Home security
- Cleaning or lawn service
Debt payments
Track minimums as recurring, extra payoff as its own line.
- Credit card payments
- Student loans
- Personal loans
- Medical debt
- Extra debt payoff
Savings and goals
Budget these first, not with whatever is left over.
- Emergency fund
- Retirement contributions
- Brokerage or investing
- Sinking fund: travel
- Sinking fund: car replacement
- Sinking fund: holidays
- Education savings
Fun and lifestyle
Variable by nature — log transaction by transaction.
- Entertainment and events
- Hobbies
- Travel and vacation
- Books, games, apps
- Dining out with friends
Giving and other
Anything that does not fit above; keep a small miscellaneous line.
- Charitable giving
- Tithing
- Taxes owed
- Bank and card fees
- Miscellaneous
Income sources
List income the same way you list spending — one line per source, using take-home amounts.
- Primary paycheck (net)
- Partner's paycheck
- Freelance or side income
- Business draws
- Rental income
- Interest and dividends
- Reimbursements
- Benefits or support payments
Put this list to work
Grow My Budget creates a new sheet with editable default categories, so you can rename, nest and reorder them instead of building from a blank page — then flag which ones recur and which roll over.
Build your first sheet