100+ Budget Categories List: Sort Out Your Monthly Expenses

Have you ever found yourself unsure of which categories to include in your monthly budget? That’s where a 100+ budget categories list can come in handy.

While many possible categories could be part of your budget, you won’t need all of them at once. You only need those which will apply to your specific situation. That’s why it’s vital to choose the ones that are relevant to your unique financial situation.

By selecting only the ones that are relevant to you, you can avoid unnecessary complexity.

Additionally, for those of you who are new to budgeting, it’s easy to forget inevitable categories, which can lead to frustration and giving up.

Therefore, a budget categories list serves as a helpful guide to ensure you’re covering all the necessary expenses.

This comprehensive budget categories list can serve as a helpful guide, ensuring you include all necessary expenses for the month. Just remember to stay flexible and adjust your budget as needed.

Below, you’ll find the comprehensive 100+ budget categories list.

The Budget Categories List

Below are over 100+ budget categories list to help you craft your budget. Pick the ones that apply to you. Keep the list, and look at it each time you create a budget.

*(Remember: You set up a budget for each month, before the month begins).

Income Category

Add only those streams of income for what you’ve done. For instance, that can be your regular paycheck from your full-time job.

It only counts income that will hit your bank account for sure. Otherwise, there is a non-existent income, which you should not add to your budget. That isn’t a realistic approach to budgeting. Don’t do that to yourself.

This category may include:

The big takeaway: you can create a few eligible income streams if one doesn’t help you meet ends.

Housing Category

Whether you rent or own a home, add those subcategories that apply to you. Mortgages apply to those who still have monthly payments for the house(s) they bought. Also, homeowners have more housing expenses than those who rent.

But don’t fool yourself: mortgage means debt. Which means you borrowed money from your bank to pay for your house. And you’ll have to pay it back to the bank with an interest rate.

*(Keep reading to get the full picture).

And here’s what you should include in this budget category:

The big takeaway: with little planning, you can save money for a down payment on a house.

Utility Category

Utilities are monthly payments that help your home to function properly. These are essential expenses and may include:

The last four subcategories aren’t utilities at all. Your home can function without them just fine.

But, the last four have a big part in our lives. You can’t imagine your life without them – at least not without cell phones and the Internet. Watching TV is something I can live without since I only enjoy good TV shows and movies and without commercials interrupting them.

The last four categories are your monthly bills, just like the other subcategories in this category, and you should pay them.

The big takeaway: you can put them in this budget category, and you’ll give your budget simplicity and clarity.

Food /Groceries Category

Usually, when you say groceries, you often think of ingredients and food you buy to prepare meals at home. But, ask yourself: Is food the only thing you buy at your local market?

The answer is that ingredients are not the only thing you buy at the local discount market.

You also buy food products to cook meals at home, personal hygiene products, and cleaning products for your home.

If you want a budget that will work, consider these expenses for your budget:

This category also includes anything else you buy at your local discount market or supermarket.

If you occasionally go out to eat, it’s best to put it under the entertainment category. Otherwise, if you often go out to eat, it’s better to put it into this budget category.

The big takeaway: plan your meals if you want to avoid food waste and reduce your food expenses.

Transportation Category

Transportation is an essential expense as it helps you get to and from work.

Plus, they are everyday expenses that can vary. The amount can depend on whether you drive your car or use public transportation.

Also, car owners should include registration fees in their budget because it’s an annual payment. Meaning it happens once a year.

Here are the expenses you can have:

Clothes And Shoes Category

Before you budget for clothes and shoes, make sure you know and understand the difference between:

Worn-out clothes are an essential expense that needs replacement. You don’t have to give up on the latest and greatest fashion trends as long as they are a part of your budget. And as long as you can afford them.

Impulsive purchases and fear of missing out are something that everyone may experience. But as soon as you notice them and take care of them, they won’t go out of control.

But one more thing.

You and your significant other should budget for clothes and shoes for you and your kids.

Plus, budget for clothes or uniforms if your workplace requires a dress code.

And here’s the list below:

The big takeaway: you can save money on clothes and shoes by buying on sales and discounts, even secondhand.

Debt Category

If you have any debt, you may have monthly payments towards it. If you want to reduce or eliminate it, include your debt payment strategy in your budget. That way, you won’t forget your due dates and will pay your monthly payments on time.

Below are all debts that may occur (only consider those relevant to you):

The big takeaway: having a roof over your head is essential, but despite that, debt is debt. You can choose where you will put the mortgage in your budget. I just wanted to make sure you understand it is debt.

Savings Category

Your savings goals should be part of your budget. This budget category is for your short-term and long-term financial goals.

Once you know what you want to save money for, set up your priorities. For what first do you need to take care?

This budget category may include the following:

The big takeaway: before you save money for travelling the world or a vacation, first make sure you have a fully-funded emergency fund.

Children Category

Having children is a blessing. But as they grow up, there is expense after expense, from clothes and shoes that kids do not fit in due to growing up to school supplies and activities, to getting a university degree, etc.

So, add these expenses to your budget.

Below are the children’s expenses that may occur:

The big takeaway: for some children’s expenses, like birthday parties and holiday seasons you can save money in advance.

Health/Medical Category

Your health is everything. So, this category is a significant part of your budget. Make sure you include it and budget for it.

Dental visits belong to semiannual expenses, so they should happen every six months. You should not overlook these expenses because when the pain comes, it may be intense.

When you check in regularly, you can avoid tooth pain.

This category can include:

The big takeaway: for some of the medical expenses, like dental costs, you can budget in advance. And when it’s time for dental visits, you’ll be financially ready and your teeth healthy.

Personal Care Category

This budget category is often overlooked, but it’s an important one if you spend money on the following:

Include gym membership in this budget category. You use the gym to keep your body fit and in shape. It’s personal care for your own body.

Whatever are your other self-care activities, don’t forget to include them in your budget. And budget for them, too.

The big takeaway: you can save money upfront for these personal care expenses.

Entertainment – Fun – Category

In this category belongs anything you do to enjoy life. Your entertainment expenses make your life more enjoyable and should be placed within your budget.

Below are the most common expenses that can occur in this budget category:

One suggestion: if you occasionally go out to eat, then put it under this budget category. But if you often go out to eat, put it into the groceries budget category.

It depends on your perspective. If you’re unsure what to do, then tweak it until you find out in which category belongs (according to you). And that’s why this budget categories list exists, to make the budgeting process less confusing.

Also, if you have other entertainment activities – not mentioned above – include them too. That way, you won’t have unexpected expenses threatening to destroy your budget. Also, this budget category is so extensive I add the most common costs.

The big takeaway: you can put streaming and TV services in the utility category because you receive a monthly bill and should pay it. As already mentioned above it’s for simplicity and clarity in your budget. But eating out and going out, you can put it under the entertainment budget category. 

Pet Category

If you have any pets, I bet you love them very much and want to take good care of them. But pet costs can add up quickly and derail your budget if you don’t include them.

Especially if your pet gets sick, then the pet expenses may skyrocket.

Make sure you add it to your budget. Here is what pet costs can look like:

The big takeaway: did you know that you can save money upfront, even for pet expenses? So, why not right?

Gifts And Giving Category

Gifts and giving are also part of your life. You may attend birthday parties, weddings and other social events during the year that require gifts. Also, don’t forget the holiday gifts, which roll around once a year, like Christmas.

As the saying goes, it’s not the gift that matters. It is the attention you get while you receive the gift that matters. And this is so true.

So, how can you make things easier for yourself when buying gifts?

Guess what?

Yep, you guessed it.

Gifts and giving should also be a part of your monthly budget.

One more thing. Add giving in this budget category here, too. It’ll help you keep things simple and crystal clear. Giving is for those who want to donate money to charities.

So, here’s the list:

The big takeaway: you can put aside money for holiday gifts too. And when the time rolls around, you won’t worry about how you will pay for them.

Insurance Category

Insurance is usually overlooked budget category. When you think of insurance, you generally think of health insurance because it is the most common expense.

Besides this type of insurance, there are other types of insurance too and below is the list including them:

The big takeaway: by taking any of the above types of insurance, you’re protecting your possessions, be it your home, car, etc.

Miscellaneous

Always have this one in your budget. When you budget for the miscellaneous, you give yourself a little breathing room.

The miscellaneous category can include minor unexpected expenses. For instance, when you buy gums for fresh breath. Just be mindful, as these little, not-important expenses may add up a lot throughout the month.

Add it like this:

The big takeaway: if you didn’t spend even a dime from this budget category during the month, boost your savings with it.

So, here is the 100+ budget categories list you should consider before making your monthly budget. I hope it’ll be helpful to you because it should save you time and energy when crafting your budget.

What Budget Categories To Include In Your Budget?

When setting up your budget, first start with your income streams. For instance, it may look like this:

Next, include these four budget categories, as they are the essential expenses (and mandatory for your survival):

Having a place to call home is essential. It’s super important to have a sturdy roof over your head and reliable utilities to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Additionally, meeting your basic needs is essential, such as having enough food and transportation is vital for getting to and from work.

Also, it’s always a good idea to have a decent wardrobe with enough clothes and shoes. After all, people do notice what you’re wearing. It doesn’t have to be excessive, but having a variety of outfits and footwear can help you feel more confident and put-together in social settings. After all, no one wants to wear worn-out clothes.

Everything else belongs to non-essential expenses and has nothing to do with your survival.

Everyone should start their budget with the four mandatory expenses mentioned above. And move from there.

If you have any debt, write it too. One of the first things to do is to pay off toxic debt if you have any. For instance, it can look like this:

The next category you should add to your budget is:

And this is just an example of what you should include in your budget. And what you’ll insert depends on you.

This 100+ budget categories list should help you acknowledge which budget categories and subcategories to add to your budget and which not.

Which Budget Method Is Right For You?

But which budget method is good for you? And since there are different budgeting methods, only you can find the answer to this question. No one else can answer it but you.

First, choose the categories that apply to you from this helpful 100+ budget categories list, then pick a budgeting method.

There isn’t just one budgeting method out there. Also, there’s no one-size-fits-all budget method. If you are unsure which one to pick, explore all budgeting methods until you find the one that suits you best.

Some budgeting methods to consider are the cash envelope system, zero-based budget, the 70/20/10 budget, the 80/20 rule, etc.

I recommend the cash envelope system because (for me) this is the best budgeting method. (I use it myself).

How To Divide Budget Categories Percentages?

Assigning how much money for each budget category you need can be difficult. A rough guideline can be helpful.

For instance, start this way.

For the essential expenses, divide no more than 50%. You should contribute at least 20% of your income to your emergency fund savings and debt repayment. The last 30% should go towards your wants.

But you can always tweak your wants like this: at least 10-15% for your other savings goals. And, the last one, only 10-15% for things that make your life joyful.

Adjust it until you find the perfect percentage balance because your budget is just for you. And should impress you and only you. That’s why it’s also called a personal budget.

First, check out your 100+ budget categories list and add those which apply to you. That way, you will know you didn’t forget any needed budget category.

Then, allocate money towards each budget category.

Final Thoughts

I hope this 100+ budget categories list can help you create your first budget. Or help you adjust the budget you already have. Also, I hope it’ll serve you as general guidance when you need to create a monthly budget for the month ahead of you.

So, you’ll never forget budget categories and subcategories. And you’ll be the one in control of your own money.

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