200+ Budgeting Categories + Budget Categories List PDF
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
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.

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.

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

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

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.)

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

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

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

Download budget categories list – 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)


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.
RELATED POST: Income Tracker Printable – 19 Cute & Free Printable Templates
2. Fixed expenses
Fixed expenses, such as mortgage or rent, car payments, and insurance premiums, remain the same each month.
RELATED POST: Bill Organizer Template – 39 Cute & Free Printable Bill Trackers
3. Variable expenses
Variable or flexible expenses can fluctuate from month to month. Examples are groceries, dining out, and entertainment.
RELATED POST: Expense Tracker Printable – 26 cute & Free Spending Logs
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.
RELATED POST: Savings Tracker Printable – 51 Cute & Free Templates
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.
RELATED POST: 37 Budget Planners & Trackers – Cute & Free Printables
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:
- Income
- Salary
- Bonuses
- Side Hustles
- Fixed Expenses
- Rent/Mortgage Payment
- Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas)
- Insurance (Health, Auto, Home)
- Loan Payments
- Variable Expenses
- Groceries
- Dining Out
- Transportation (Fuel, Public Transport)
- Entertainment (Streaming Services, Movies)
- Debt Payments
- Credit Card Payments
- Student Loans
- Personal Loans
- Savings
- Emergency Fund
- Retirement Fund (401(k), IRA)
- General Savings
- Miscellaneous
- Clothing
- Personal Care (Haircuts, Toiletries)
- Household Items (Cleaning Supplies, Maintenance)
- Pet Expenses
RELATED PAGE: Zero-Based Budget Calculator
RELATED POST: Zero-Based Budget Template – 7 Cute & Free Printables (+ Tips)
RELATED POST: Zero-Based Budgeting 101 – Guide, Categories + Examples
Cash envelope categories
The Envelope System involves physical envelopes for cash expenses. Here are some ideas for cash envelope system categories:
- Housing
- Rent/Mortgage
- Utilities
- Other bills
- Transportation
- Fuel
- Public Transport
- Maintenance
- Food
- Groceries
- Dining Out
- Personal Care
- Haircuts/beauty
- Toiletries
- Children
- Pet Care
- Entertainment
- Movies
- Hobbies
- Miscellaneous
- Clothing
- Insurance
- Debt payments
- Savings
- 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:
- Needs (50%)
- Housing
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Insurance
- Transportation
- Household items
- Health care costs
- Taxes
- Wants (30%)
- Dining Out
- Entertainment
- Hobbies & Interests
- Travel & Vacations
- Savings and Debt Repayment (20%)
- Savings (Emergency Fund, Retirement)
- Debt Payments (Credit Cards, Loans)
RELATED POST: 50/30/20 Rule – A Simple Budgeting Method + Examples
RELATED POST: 50/30/20 Budget Template – 5 Cute (&Free!) Budgeting Planners
RELATED PAGE: Free 50/30/20 Budget Calculator
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:
- Income
- Salary
- Other Income
- Needs / Essentials
- Rent/Mortgage
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Transportation
- Wants / Optional
- Dining Out
- Entertainment
- Hobbies
- Culture/Education
- Books
- Classes
- Cultural Activities
- 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:
- Income
- Salary
- Bonuses
- Side Hustles
- Fixed Expenses
- Rent/Mortgage
- Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas)
- Insurance (Health, Auto, Home)
- Loan Payments
- Variable Expenses
- Groceries
- Dining Out
- Transportation (Fuel, Public Transport)
- Entertainment (Streaming Services, Movies)
- Debt Payments
- Credit Card Payments
- Student Loans
- Personal Loans
- Savings
- Emergency Fund
- Retirement Fund (401(k), IRA)
- General Savings
- Miscellaneous
- Clothing
- Personal Care (Haircuts, Toiletries)
- Household Items (Cleaning Supplies, Maintenance)
- Pet Expenses
RELATED POST: 37 Budget Planners & Trackers – Cute & Free Printables
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.