Show us Your Categories!
Flopbot
Superuser ✭✭✭✭✭
Hey everyone,
I saw this done in a YNAB forum once and thought it was absolutely fascinating seeing how other people approached a common challenge - setting up their Categories. Some people were minimalists. Some were hyper detailed. Some were funny. In the end, the discussion spurred some good changes to my own categories.
Which of your categories do you like? Would you share them with others? I'll start.
Below are the sections of my Category List that I actually like...about half of them. The approach I've found that works best for me, personally, is to skew more detailed rather than less.
I have subcategories for many of the common things I buy (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) since I could never remember where to put them. Sometimes I'd find toothpaste under Bath & Beauty - sometimes under Home Goods - sometimes elsewhere. I'd find myself spending way, way too much time tracking down past transactions and scouring old note boxes just to keep everything consistent. By adding a subcategory for "Toothpaste" - for example - it took out a good chunk of the guesswork. As an added bonus, it has cut way down on my need to enter notes! The one downside to my approach is that it forces me to do a lot of splits. Although, with Simplifi, this isn't a big deal since I like how Simplifi handles splits on the Mobile App.
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Uncategorized
I saw this done in a YNAB forum once and thought it was absolutely fascinating seeing how other people approached a common challenge - setting up their Categories. Some people were minimalists. Some were hyper detailed. Some were funny. In the end, the discussion spurred some good changes to my own categories.
Which of your categories do you like? Would you share them with others? I'll start.
Below are the sections of my Category List that I actually like...about half of them. The approach I've found that works best for me, personally, is to skew more detailed rather than less.
I have subcategories for many of the common things I buy (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) since I could never remember where to put them. Sometimes I'd find toothpaste under Bath & Beauty - sometimes under Home Goods - sometimes elsewhere. I'd find myself spending way, way too much time tracking down past transactions and scouring old note boxes just to keep everything consistent. By adding a subcategory for "Toothpaste" - for example - it took out a good chunk of the guesswork. As an added bonus, it has cut way down on my need to enter notes! The one downside to my approach is that it forces me to do a lot of splits. Although, with Simplifi, this isn't a big deal since I like how Simplifi handles splits on the Mobile App.
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Uncategorized
Auto & Transport ~ Fees, etc.
- Car Insurance
- Car Registration Fee
- Drivers License Fee
- Parking
Auto & Transport ~ Fuel, etc.
- Gas
- Public Transportation, Rideshare, Tolls, etc.
Auto & Transport ~ Maintenance, etc.
- Assorted Shop Fees
- Car Wash
- Oil Changes
- Service & Parts
Auto & Transport ~ Payments, etc.
- Auto Payment
Bills ~ Services
- Cell Phone
- Internet
- Software Subscriptions
- Streaming Service
Bills ~ Utilities
- Electric
- Natural Gas
- Water & Trash
Business ~ Personal Investment
Education ~ Adult
- Bible Study
- Books & Supplies (Adults)
- Continuing Education
- Tuition
Education ~ Homeschool
- Books & Supplies (Homeschool)
- Supplemental Education, Tutors, etc.
Education ~ Memberships
Entertainment ~ Amusement
- Art, Art Supplies, Crafts, etc.
- Books, Magazines, Newspapers, etc.
- Concerts, Shows, etc.
- Games, Puzzles, etc.
- Movies & DVDs
- Music, CDs, etc.
- Party, Events & Gatherings
Entertainment ~ Electronics
- Apps, etc.
- Audio, Video, etc.
- Cables, Converters, Accessories, etc.
- Gadgets, Devices, etc.
Entertainment ~ Mental Reset
- Date Night
- Girl's Night Out
- Guy's Night Out
- Time with Friends
Entertainment ~ Travel
- Adventure
- Air Travel
- Hotel, Vacation Rental, etc.
- Rental Car, Taxi, etc.
- Vacation Spending
Food & Dining ~ Eating In
- Groceries
- Groceries - Filtered Water
- Groceries - Milk
- Groceries - Subscription Box
- Shopping Fee
- Supplements, Vitamins, etc.
Food & Dining ~ Eating Out
- Coffee, Doughnut, Pretzel, & Ice Cream Shops
- Food Trucks, Fairs, etc.
- Restaurants & Fast Food
- Vending Machines
Gift Giving
- Charity & Donations
- Gifts for Birthdays
- Gifts for Employees
- Gifts for Funerals (Flowers, etc.)
- Gifts for House Warming
- Gifts for Mother's Day (Flowers, etc.)
- Gifts for No Reason (Cards, Chocolates, Flowers, etc.)
- Gifts for Other Occasions
- Gifts for Weddings
- Party Decorations, Birthday Candles, etc.
Gifts ~ Christmas
- Christmas Gifts
- Christmas Gifts - For Employees
- Christmas Gifts - For Myself?? (Confirm AFTER Christmas)
- Christmas Greeting Cards
- Christmas Greeting Cards
- Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
Giving ~ Tithe
- Church Tithe
- Sponsorship
Health ~ Bath & Beauty
- Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, etc.
- Essential Oils, etc.
- Haircare, Shampoo, Shaving, etc.
- Lotions, Soaps, etc.
- Makeup, Nailcare, etc.
Health ~ Fitness & Wellness
- Bandages, First Aid, etc.
- Exercise, Sports Equipment, etc.
- Eyecare, Glasses, etc.
- Gym, Workout Classes, etc.
- Personal Care Supplies
- Personal Protective Equipment, etc.
- Pharmacy, Medicine, etc.
- Spa & Massage
Health ~ Medical
- Chiropractor
- Dentist
- Doctor
- Health Insurance
- Optometrist
Notes
- Air Conditioner (Installed / Uninstalled)
Chris
Quicken Desktop user since 2014.
New to Simplifi in 2021.
Quicken Desktop user since 2014.
New to Simplifi in 2021.
Tagged:
3
Comments
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Great Idea!
Here is our category set up:
Charitable Giving (captures all our planned and unplanned giving)
Food & Household- Eating Out
- Groceries & Household ("Household" includes things like toothpaste, tooth brushes, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.)
- Gym
- Health Care providers
- Health Insurance
- Pharmacy
- Home Insurance
- Maintenance & Repairs/Improvements
- Property Tax
- Utilities (gas, electric, water, city utilities)
- Gift Giving (birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, special days)
- Petty Cash (what I mean by this is a monthly cash "allowance" we use for whatever, just to have some cash in our pockets)
- General Expenses (this catches all the stuff that doesn't fit an any particular category... this would be Simplifi's "Other Spending")
Quality of Life- Books & Videos (we read a lot of books!)
- Entertainment (this is where I budget for theater, sporting events, concerts, etc)
- Internet, TV, Phone
- Media Subscriptions
- Other Fun Stuff (to capture anything that doesn't fall into the above)
- Grandchildren Custodial Accounts
- Surprises & Miscellaneous
- Taxable Investment Account
- Car Insurance
- Gasoline
- Registration
- Replacement
- Service & Parts (this could be "Service, Repairs & Parts since this is where I budget for repairs)
- RV Expenses
- Vacation/Monthly Getaways
Danny
Simplifi user since 01/22
”
Budget: a mathematical confirmation of your suspicions.” ~A.A. Latimer
1 -
Expense Categories
Automobile
Car Insurance, Fuel, Licenses, Maintenance
Coincidental
Apps, Devices, Fees (all kinds, postage, bank, courtesy, membership), Life Insurance, Presents (includes non-deductible donations)
Donations
Charity, Church
Home
Furnishings (Durable Goods), House Insurance, Pets, Supplies (Consumable Goods) , Upkeep (lawn, garbage, services, repairs), Utilities
Medical
Clinics (doctor, eye, dentists, etc), Health Plan, Hospitals, Prescriptions
Personal
Apparel (drycleaning, jewelry, etc), Beverages (I used tags to differentiate), Food, Sundries (spending money and what it buys: toiletries, personal items)
Professional
Classroom (teaching supplies), Meals, Miscellaneous, Travel
Recreation
Books&Magazines, Dining, Events (theatre, concerts, football games, etc.) Music (CDs and streaming),
Tennis, Trips (vacations), Video (Cable and Streaming)
Taxes
Federal, Medicare, Property, Sales, Social Security, State, Vehicle
Income Categories
Vouchers
Mileage (Reimbursement), Rewards, Settlements
Wages
Salary, Social Security, Retirement
Yields
Capital Gains, Dividends, Interest
***I go back and forth on some of the names. I have used Ancillary for Coincidental as they go across categories. I came up with Vouchers, Wages and Yields to put my income categories last. I would say Housing instead of Home but Pets are home expense but not a housing expense. Personal could be called Needs or Basics.
Steve
Simplifi-ing since 20212 -
my income breaks out this way
Income- Paycheck
- Pension/SSA
- Interest Earned
- Room & Board
Danny
Simplifi user since 01/22
”
Budget: a mathematical confirmation of your suspicions.” ~A.A. Latimer
2 -
I'm pretty basic when it comes to my Category use -- I use the generic "Groceries", "Auto Insurance", "Pet Food & Supplies", etc., as well as have a couple of family members listed as Categories. However, I place all hygiene and household items under "Shopping" instead of tracking these items individually. And pretty much all expenses outside of my normal or necessary spending, such as going out bowling with friends, or even purchasing birthday presents, get placed under "Extras".
AJ (family member)
Alcohol
Auto & Transport- Car Insurance
- Car Payment
- Car Wash
- Gas & Fuel
- Registration
- Service & Parts
Entertainment
Extras
Farm Bureau
Fees & Charges- ATM Fee
- Service Fee
- Fast Food
- Groceries
- Restaurants
- Chiropractor
- Dentist
- Doctor
- Eyecare
- Pharmacy
- Rent
Memberships
Personal Care- Hair
- Nail Salon
- Bonus
- From Kelly
- Interest Earned
- Paycheck
- Tax Refund
- Pet Food & Supplies
- Veterinary
- Clothing
Utilities- Gas & Electric
- Internet
- Phone
- Sewer/Trash
- Water
1 -
@DannyB, @SRC54, & @Coach Natalie,
Thank you so much to all of you for being willing to share your categories! It's been interesting seeing this little glimpse into your setup and thought processes. I implemented some good ideas from each of you!- "Quality of Life"
- "Durable Goods"
- Named Family Members
Anyone else willing to share some of your more interesting, odd, funny, & unique categories?Chris
Quicken Desktop user since 2014.
New to Simplifi in 2021.3
This discussion has been closed.