Fixed and Flexi is a BUST - Back to more "traditional" expense sorting and tracking

DannyB

So, after setting up and working with my new expense structure I have come to the conclusion that it is too unwieldy and just a bit impractical. I knew I would have to train my brain to think in such a way that I could quickly/reflexively categorize expenses but using my fixed/flexible; discretionary/non-discretionary; monthly/non-monthly categorization schema turned out to be more hassle than it's worth.

By that I mean that I had to break down almost every expense into a separate sub-category under one of my top categories ending up with way too many sub-categories and it made my reports less useful. It turns out I don't want that much complexity nor is that much complexity necessary - elegance is the name of the game.

As a result I have returned to my original Spending Plan category design:

• Housing: Only 3 sub-categories since "Utilities" captures 4 expenses in one. If I need more detail on a particular utility expense I can get at that in reports using payee name or tags.
• Charity: No sub-categories here.
• Food & Household: 2 sub-categories here, eating out and groceries & household since I don't sort these last 2 expenses.
• Auto & Transportation: 5 sub-categories 3 of which are also a saving goals.
• Quality of Life: 6 categories 1 of which is a saving goal
• Miscellaneous: 2 sub-categories
• Health: 2 sub-categories

Anyone that may read this may also remember my ruminations on changes and transitions. This is one of those instances where I just didn't want to go through the transition my justification being that I wouldn't end up with a better planning and tracking system. Learning new nomenclature just wasn't worth it and ended up being just too confusing.

At any rate, it's fun to experiment.

Flopbot

Thanks @DannyB for following up on the results of your test. Your ruminations helps the rest of us know what to try and what not to.

Guess this one had a 66.66666666% frustration rate 😂 - to reference another post.