100+ Budget Categories – Free Printable List to Get Your Budget Organized

Use this list of over 100 budget categories to organize your budget! Get the free printable list below.

Based on Dave Ramsey’s budget categories, here is the ultimate list of budget categories and subcategories to help you organize your budget! Print a free copy of the list below, and check off the ones you plan to use in your own budget.

Why You Need Budget Categories

So why do you even need budget categories??

Budget categories help you organize your income and expenses. When you go to make your budget, use them to plan where your money is going. Also, the more detailed your budget lines are, the more clearly you can see how you spend money.

Read the 7 mistakes to avoid while budgeting for beginners.

The Best Way to Budget

The best way to budget is with a zero-based budget. A zero-based budget is when you allocate all of your income to an expense. Income = Expenses. That way you plan where every dollar is going. Budget categories help you with this by giving you the different places to put your money!

Read my beginner’s guide to budgeting HERE to learn how to make an effective zero-based budget!

The Ultimate List of Budget Categories to Get Your Budget Organized!

Now let’s get to the list! Starting with income category ideas and then expense categories, use this list to help you generate line items or categories to use for your own budget. You do not need to use all of these!! Use this list as a starting point, and feel free to brainstorm more. Make sure to print the PDF of this list down below, so you can check off the ones you want to use!

Income

• Job paycheck
• Side hustle
• Tax refund
• Other income

Giving

• Tithe
• Offering
• Missions
• Charity
• Donation

Housing

• Mortgage
• Rent
• Renter’s insurance
• HOA
• Property tax
• Home insurance
• Other home expenses

Utilities or Bills

• Electric
• Gas
• Internet
• Water
• Garbage / trash & recycling
• Cell phone service
• Pest control
• Home security system

Food

• Groceries
• Eating out or restaurants
• Coffee

Transportation

• Gas or fuel
• Uber rides
• Bus fare
• Tolls
• Car registration
• Other transportation expenses

Health

• Co-pays
• Prescriptions
• Chiropractor visits
• Dentist visits
• Other doctor visits
• Medical bills and expenses

Insurance

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Car insurance
• Life insurance
• Jewelry insurance
• Disability insurance

Childcare / Kids

• Daycare
• Babysitter
• School expenses
• Sports
• Extracurricular activities
• Lunch money
• Camp

Lifestyle

• Entertainment
• Dates
• Subscriptions
• Shopping
• Health and beauty
• Makeup
• Clothing
• Shoes
• Travel
• Photography
• Gym membership

Personal Spending

• My personal money
• Spouse’s personal money
• Kids allowance or chore money

Sinking Funds

• Christmas
• Birthdays and other gifts
• Other holidays
• Home improvement
• Car maintenance
• Clothing fund
• Vacation fund
• Medical fund

Savings

• Emergency fund
• Kids savings account
• College savings account
• Retirement account
• Investments

4 Beautiful House Savings Trackers {Free Printables!}

Debt

• Student loans
• Credit card
• Car loan
• Medical loan
• Personal loan

My tips on how to pay off debt on a low income!

Miscellaneous

• Pet expenses **
• Postage
• Tuition and continuing education
• ATM fees
• Other expenses

** If you don’t have kids, but you have pets, you could swap the kids category with pets. Then, break down your pet expenses into multiple budget lines, such as pet food, vet bills, grooming, etc.

Free Printable List of Budget Categories!

Enter your email, and you will get the printable list of budget categories sent to your inbox PLUS my entire starter budget pack!

The Best Budget Template to Use

Once you have selected budget categories for your budget, what are you going to use to budget? My Google Sheets budget template is the perfect digital budgeting tool. Enter your budget categories once, and then it is set for the year!

Use code HOUSEHOLD for 10% off my budget template! This is my special code just for my blog readers! Find the template —–> here.

Conclusion

Take a few minutes one evening to look over this list and pick the budget categories you need for your budget. Then, make sure to use them to organize your budget and plan where your money is going! Read my beginner’s guide to budgeting HERE to learn how to make an effective zero-based budget!

Bonus tip! If you are stuck on what budget lines you need for your budget, print out your bank statement or transaction list, and write a budget category for each transaction on the list. I hope this helps!

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