Categories of Expenses
The following categories are suggestions to help you create your own
list. They are organized into general categories, but you want to select
the appropriate individual categories within each general category. For
example, in the Food category, you want to track your grocery expenses
separately from what you spend on lunches at work. The more categories
you use, the easier it will be to analyze your spending and determine
where you can save money.
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General Categories
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Individual Categories
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| Food |
breakfast, lunch, school lunch, dinner, dessert, coffee/juice/soda/water,
groceries |
| Transportation |
gasoline, parking/tolls, public transit, auto maintenance/repairs,
auto registration/tags/taxes, car wash |
| Entertainment |
newspapers/magazines, books, video/DVD rentals, CD/video/DVD
purchases, hobbies/sports, movies/concerts/plays, nightclubs/bars,
software/games, other |
| Miscellaneous |
cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets, charitable donations,
church tithes, internet access, legal fees, financial services, other |
| Child Care |
daycare, babysitters, diapers/formula, school tuition,
school clothes, school supplies, allowance, child support, other |
| Pet Care |
food, toys, vet services, grooming, other |
| Self Care |
cosmetics/toiletries, beauty/barber shop, hair care
products, nail care, health club fees, other |
| Medical Care |
medical costs, dental costs, optical costs, vitamins |
| Clothing |
clothes/shoes - adult #1, clothes/shoes - adult #2,
clothes/shoes - children, accessories, laundry/dry cleaning |
| Gifts |
cards, birthday/anniversary, wedding/shower, special
person or event, other |
| Utilities |
gas, electric, water/sewer, telephone, cell phone/beeper,
cable TV, other |
| Home |
rent/mortgage, second mortgage, property tax, association
dues, home maintenance/repair, trash collection, maid service, furnishings,
lawn maintenance, pool expenses, other |
| Savings |
emergency fund, retirement - 401(k)/403(b), retirement
- IRA, pension, college funds, stocks/bonds, other |
| Education |
adult tuition, lab fees, books/supplies |
| Loans |
car payment #1, car payment #2, loan payment #1, loan
payment #2, student loan, credit card payment #1, credit card payment
#2, credit card payment #3, credit card payment #4, other |
| Insurance |
medical insurance, dental insurance, optical insurance,
disability insurance, life insurance, auto insurance, home/renter's
insurance, property insurance |
| Income Taxes |
federal, state, local, social security (FICA), medicare |
| Others |
alimony, vacation, other |
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