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200+ Budgeting Categories + Budget Categories List PDF

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Looking for a comprehensive budget categories list to create your budget? Here is a list of 200+ budget categories to choose the ones that fit your needs.

200+ Budget Categories - Printable Lists | SaturdayGift
Budget Categories List with 200+ Categories + Free Printables

Having a budget is essential to financial stability and achieving your financial goals. However, creating a budget can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you’re unsure which categories to include.

In this guide, you’ll find a comprehensive list of budget categories to help you get started on your budgeting journey.

Disclaimer: The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Consult a financial professional for personalized guidance on budgeting and managing your finances. 

217 different budget categories

Here’s a comprehensive list of 200+ budget categories to cover a wide range of expenses.

Complete List of Budget Categories - Over 200 Categories - Printable Lists | SaturdayGift
Free printable budget categories lists found in this post

Please note, that you don’t need to use every budget category from the list. This list can serve as a helpful guide for creating your budget breakdown.

Print out the list of budget categories and highlight the categories you want to include in your budget.

Housing

  • Mortgage/Rent
  • Property Taxes
  • Home Insurance
  • HOA Fees
  • Home Repairs/Maintenance
  • Home Security System
  • Lawn Care
  • Pest Control
  • Home Improvement

Utilities

  • Electricity
  • Water
  • Gas
  • Trash/Recycling
  • Internet
  • Cable/Satellite TV
  • Phone (Cell)
  • Phone (Landline)
  • Sewer

Transportation

  • Car Payment
  • Car Insurance
  • Gasoline
  • Public Transportation
  • Car Maintenance
  • Car Repairs
  • Parking Fees
  • Tolls
  • Car Registration
  • Car Washes
  • Tires
List of Budget Categories - Green | SaturdayGift

Food

  • Groceries
  • Dining Out
  • Takeout/Delivery
  • Snacks
  • Beverages
  • Pet Food

Healthcare

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Prescription Medications
  • Doctor Visits
  • Dental Care
  • Vision Care
  • Medical Devices
  • Therapy/Counseling
  • Urgent Care
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Medical Procedures

Insurance

  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Umbrella Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Renter’s Insurance

Debt Payments

  • Credit Card Payments
  • Student Loan Payments
  • Personal Loan Payments
  • Mortgage Payments
  • Auto Loan Payments

Savings

  • Emergency Fund
  • Retirement Fund (401(k), IRA, etc.)
  • General Savings
  • College Savings (529 Plan)
  • Down Payment Savings
  • Vacation Fund
List of Budget Categories - Black & White | SaturdayGift

Personal Care

  • Haircuts
  • Salon Services
  • Manicures/Pedicures
  • Skincare Products
  • Cosmetics
  • Toiletries
  • Gym Membership
  • Fitness Classes
  • Massage Therapy
  • Spa Treatments

Clothing

  • Adults’ Clothing
  • Adults’ Shoes
  • Children’s Clothing
  • Children’s Shoes
  • Work Attire
  • Accessories

Entertainment

  • Movies
  • Concerts
  • Sporting Events
  • Streaming Services
  • Books
  • Magazines
  • Hobbies
  • Music
  • Games (Board Games, Video Games)
  • Subscriptions (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
Budget Categories List - Grey | SaturdayGift

Travel

  • Airfare
  • Hotel Accommodations
  • Rental Cars
  • Travel Insurance
  • Vacation Activities
  • Travel Gear

Education

  • Tuition
  • School Supplies
  • Textbooks
  • Extracurricular Activities
  • Tutoring
  • College Applications

Childcare

  • Daycare
  • Babysitters
  • Nanny Services
  • School Lunches
  • Summer Camps
  • Child Support

Gifts and Donations

  • Birthday Gifts
  • Holiday Gifts
  • Wedding Gifts
  • Anniversary Gifts
  • Charitable Donations
  • Fundraising Contributions
List of Budget Categories - Pink | SaturdayGift

Household Items

  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Laundry Supplies
  • Paper Products
  • Light Bulbs
  • Batteries
  • Kitchen Utensils
  • Small Appliances
  • Furniture
  • Linens

Pet Care

  • Pet Food
  • Pet Toys
  • Pet Grooming
  • Pet Boarding
  • Veterinary Care
  • Pet Insurance

Business Expenses

  • Office Supplies
  • Business Travel
  • Professional Dues
  • Licenses and Permits
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Website Hosting
  • Software Subscriptions
  • Client Entertainment

Miscellaneous

  • Bank Fees
  • Postage
  • Printing
  • Legal Fees
  • Accounting Fees
  • Safety Deposit Box

Technology

  • Gadgets (Phones, Tablets, etc.)
  • Computer Software
  • Computer Hardware
  • Tech Support
  • Online Services
  • Apps

Emergency Preparedness

  • Emergency Supplies
  • First Aid Kit
  • Backup Generator
  • Fire Extinguisher

Home Office

  • Office Furniture
  • Office Supplies
  • Internet Service
  • Printer Ink
  • Professional Development
Budget Categories List - Black & White | SaturdayGift

Special Occasions

  • Party Supplies
  • Decorations
  • Special Meals
  • Event Tickets

Seasonal Expenses

  • Holiday Decorations
  • Seasonal Clothing
  • Seasonal Activities
  • Gardening Supplies

Financial Planning

  • Financial Advisor Fees
  • Investment Fees
  • Estate Planning

Legal

  • Legal Retainer
  • Will Preparation
  • Court Fees

Social

  • Dining Out with Friends
  • Club Memberships
  • Social Events
  • Networking Events

Religious

  • Tithes/Offerings
  • Religious Materials
  • Retreats

Outdoor Recreation

  • Camping Gear
  • Fishing Gear
  • Sports Equipment
  • Park Fees

Subscriptions and Memberships

  • Gym Memberships
  • Professional Memberships
  • Magazine Subscriptions
  • Streaming Service Subscriptions
Budget Categories List - Beige | SaturdayGift

Download budget categories list – free printables

Budget Categories List - Over 200 Categories - Cute colors and black & white designs | SaturdayGift
Budget Categories List with 200+ Categories – Free Printables

DOWNLOAD: Budget Categories List – Black & White

DOWNLOAD: Budget Categories List – Green, Pink, Beige & Grey

All free printables ©SaturdayGift Ltd. For personal use only, not to be copied, distributed, altered, or sold.

Paper size: US letter, but some are resizable (to A4 page size and other sizes)

Budget Categories List - Free printables in cute colors & black & white | SaturdayGift
List of Budget Categories PDF - Free Printable Lists | SaturdayGift

5 main budget categories

Here are five main budget categories. Under these, you can add subcategories. Depending on your budget method, you may have different categories and subcategories. Don’t be afraid to customize your budget to fit your unique financial situation and needs.

1. Monthly income

Your first budget category is always your income. 

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2. Fixed expenses

Fixed expenses, such as mortgage or rent, car payments, and insurance premiums, remain the same each month.

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3. Variable expenses

Variable or flexible expenses can fluctuate from month to month. Examples are groceries, dining out, and entertainment.

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4. Irregular expenses

Irregular expenses, such as car repairs, annual subscriptions, or holiday gifts, occur occasionally but not every month. Budgeting for these expenses and setting money aside each month is important so you are prepared when they arise.

5. Debt payments & Savings

Incorporate debt payments and savings into your budget. Paying off debt and saving for the future is essential to achieving financial stability.

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Simple list of essential budget categories

Here’s a list of 8 general budget categories that can cover all expenses.

Housing

The housing category includes rent or mortgage payments, home insurance, property taxes, and maintenance costs. It may also include utilities such as electricity, water, gas/oil/propane for heating your home and running a stove/oven/water heater/dryer. Remember internet and phone bills as well.

Transportation

This category covers the cost of getting from one place to another, such as car payments, gas, car insurance, public transportation passes, and maintenance costs.

Food

This category includes groceries, dining out at restaurants, and coffee shops.

Some (like yours truly) like to separate dining out and coffee shops from the food budget category and add them under entertainment and miscellaneous.

Healthcare

Include health insurance premiums, prescription medications, co-pays for doctor visits, and other medical expenses in your budget. Healthcare expenses can add up quickly and unexpectedly.

Debt payments

If you have any outstanding debts, such as student loans or credit card debt, you must include them in your budget. Make sure to pay at least the minimum amount each month and try to pay off more when possible to reduce interest charges.

Savings

This category allows you to set money aside for future goals such as vacations, retirement savings, or a down payment on a house. It’s also good to save for an emergency fund that’ll help you cover unexpected expenses.

Personal and Household

This category includes expenses such as haircuts, clothing, personal care items, gym memberships, household supplies, and home decor.

Insurance and Taxes

Remember to budget for insurance premiums, including life insurance, car insurance, and other necessary policies. You can also add house and home insurance under housing, car insurance under transportation, and health insurance under healthcare.

You should also set aside money for taxes if you are self-employed or receive income from sources that do not withhold taxes.

Entertainment and Miscellaneous

This category covers all other miscellaneous expenses such as hobbies, going to the movies, subscriptions, gifts, donations, and outings with friends. It is important to budget for these things and not deprive yourself completely to maintain a healthy balance.

This category also covers expenses that don’t fit into the other categories.

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List of budgeting categories by the budgeting method

When it comes to budgeting, there are various methods and approaches that individuals can use.

Here’s a list of budget categories based on different budgeting methods

Zero-Based Budgeting categories

In Zero-Based Budgeting, you assign every dollar a job. Here are common categories:

  1. Income
    • Salary
    • Bonuses
    • Side Hustles
  2. Fixed Expenses
    • Rent/Mortgage Payment
    • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas)
    • Insurance (Health, Auto, Home)
    • Loan Payments
  3. Variable Expenses
    • Groceries
    • Dining Out
    • Transportation (Fuel, Public Transport)
    • Entertainment (Streaming Services, Movies)
  4. Debt Payments
    • Credit Card Payments
    • Student Loans
    • Personal Loans
  5. Savings
    • Emergency Fund
    • Retirement Fund (401(k), IRA)
    • General Savings
  6. Miscellaneous
    • Clothing
    • Personal Care (Haircuts, Toiletries)
    • Household Items (Cleaning Supplies, Maintenance)
    • Pet Expenses

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Cash envelope categories

The Envelope System involves physical envelopes for cash expenses. Here are some ideas for cash envelope system categories:

  1. Housing
    • Rent/Mortgage
    • Utilities
    • Other bills
  2. Transportation
    • Fuel
    • Public Transport
    • Maintenance
  3. Food
    • Groceries
    • Dining Out
  4. Personal Care
    • Haircuts/beauty
    • Toiletries
  5. Children
  6. Pet Care
  7. Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Hobbies
  8. Miscellaneous
    • Clothing
  9. Insurance
  10. Debt payments
  11. Savings
  12. Donations & gifts

50/30/20 budget categories

Another popular budgeting method is the 50/30/20 approach, where you allocate 50% of your income to essentials, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. Here’s a list of categories that can fit into this budget breakdown:

  1. Needs (50%)
    • Housing
    • Utilities
    • Groceries
    • Insurance
    • Transportation
    • Household items
    • Health care costs
    • Taxes
  2. Wants (30%)
    • Dining Out
    • Entertainment
    • Hobbies & Interests
    • Travel & Vacations
  3. Savings and Debt Repayment (20%)
    • Savings (Emergency Fund, Retirement)
    • Debt Payments (Credit Cards, Loans)

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Pay Yourself First – categories

This method prioritizes savings and investments first, then allocates the rest:

Savings & Investments

  • Emergency Fund
  • Retirement Fund
  • College Fund
  • Other long-term savings
  • Short-term savings (traveling, wedding, new gadget)
  • Sinking funds
  • Other long-term savings

Fixed Expenses

  • Rent/Mortgage
  • Utilities
  • Insurance

Variable Expenses

  • Groceries
  • Household items
  • Transportation (Fuel, Public Transport)
  • Entertainment (Streaming Services, Movies)
  • Personal Care (Haircuts, Toiletries)
  • Gifts/Donations
  • Hobbies/Interests
  • Pet Care
  • Clothing

Debt Payments

  • Credit Cards
  • Loans

Kakeibo (Japanese Method) – Categories

Kakeibo focuses on mindfulness and reflection with expense categories:

  1. Income
    • Salary
    • Other Income
  2. Needs / Essentials
    • Rent/Mortgage
    • Utilities
    • Groceries
    • Transportation
  3. Wants / Optional
    • Dining Out
    • Entertainment
    • Hobbies
  4. Culture/Education
    • Books
    • Classes
    • Cultural Activities
  5. Unexpected Expenses

Bare Bones Budget categories

This method strips down to only essential expenses:

Housing

  • Rent/Mortgage
  • Utilities

Transportation

  • Car payments (if the car is an absolute necessity)
  • Fuel (to get to work and necessary places)
  • Public Transport

Groceries & household items

  • Only essential groceries and household items such as toilet paper.

Insurance

  • Health Insurance
  • Auto Insurance

Phone & Internet

  • Basic phone plan
  • Internet for work or essential communication needs

Debt Payments

  • Minimum Payments on loans

Personal

  • Prescription medications, personal hygiene items, and a haircut & professional attire (if needed for work)

Family expenses: 

  • Child support, daycare, and school tuition

Traditional Budgeting categories

Traditional budgeting includes detailed monthly expense tracking in these categories:

  1. Income
    • Salary
    • Bonuses
    • Side Hustles
  2. Fixed Expenses
    • Rent/Mortgage
    • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas)
    • Insurance (Health, Auto, Home)
    • Loan Payments
  3. Variable Expenses
    • Groceries
    • Dining Out
    • Transportation (Fuel, Public Transport)
    • Entertainment (Streaming Services, Movies)
  4. Debt Payments
    • Credit Card Payments
    • Student Loans
    • Personal Loans
  5. Savings
    • Emergency Fund
    • Retirement Fund (401(k), IRA)
    • General Savings
  6. Miscellaneous
    • Clothing
    • Personal Care (Haircuts, Toiletries)
    • Household Items (Cleaning Supplies, Maintenance)
    • Pet Expenses

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Why you need a budget

Before we dive into the list of budget categories, let’s quickly go over why having a budget is crucial for your financial health.

Helps you track your spending

A budget allows you to see exactly where your money is going, adjust your spending habits, and identify areas where you may be overspending.

Enables better decision-making

With a monthly budget, you can make informed and analyzed decisions about how much to spend in specific categories and prioritize your monthly expenses accordingly.

Allows you to save money for future goals

Whether it’s an emergency fund, a vacation, or retirement, a budget helps you set aside money for future expenses.

Reduces financial stress

Knowing how you spend money and having control over your finances can significantly reduce financial stress and improve your overall well-being.

Pushes you to achieve financial goals

A budget serves as a roadmap toward your financial goals, whether paying off debt, saving for a down payment on a house, or building wealth.

Personal budget categories: long list, medium or short list?

When creating a budget, the number of categories you choose can vary depending on your preferences and financial situation.

Some people prefer a long list of detailed categories, while others find that a few broad categories work better. You can combine categories or have a separate budget category for each expense, such as groceries, dining out, and coffee.

Personal finance is not called personal for no reason, so choose the budget categories that work best for you and your needs. Finding what works may take some trial and error, but managing your finances will be much easier once you have a system in place.

Keep, Cut Back, Eliminate

When looking at your budget, it can be helpful to categorize your expenses into three categories: keep, cut back, and eliminate.

Doing so lets you prioritize your spending and identify areas where you may be overspending.

When to keep expenses

The “keep” category includes essential expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments and utilities. These are expenses you cannot eliminate or significantly reduce.

These fixed and variable expenses make up a significant portion of your budget.

When to cut back expenses

You can reduce the expenses, such as dining out and entertainment, without eliminating them.

Identify areas where you can cut back and set a specific monthly limit for these categories in your budget.

When to eliminate expenses

These are non-essential expenses that you can altogether remove from your budget, such as unused magazine subscriptions or gym memberships.

Eliminating these expenses reduces the strain on your finances and frees up money for more important things.

Adjusting your budget

Reviewing your budget once a month and making any necessary adjustments will ensure you stay on track with your spending and achieve your financial goals.

Life is constantly changing, and so are our financial needs. Here are some circumstances where you may need to adjust your budget:

  • Increase in income: If you receive a raise or promotion, consider increasing your savings or adding new categories to your budget.
  • Change in expenses: If your rent increases or you have unexpected medical expenses, adjust your budget to reflect these changes.
  • Changes in priorities: Your financial goals and priorities may change over time. Adjust your budget accordingly to focus on what’s most important to you.

Remember, your budget is not set in stone – it should be flexible and adaptable, and you should adjust it as needed.

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