How to Categorize Expenses for Budgeting: Spending Tracker Tips 🌈

Money Keeper · Track Money Easily

After over a year of using the Money Keeper app daily, I’ve learned that tracking and categorizing my expenses properly makes it much easier to review and analyze my spending habits.

Since the app recently added a new subcategory feature, I took the opportunity to revisit my entire expense structure. I thought it might be helpful to share my system with others who are trying to organize their spending more clearly.

Here’s a snapshot of how I currently categorize my expenses as of August 21, 2025 🙏

Suggested Expense Categories

I only use subcategories where I feel they’re truly useful. Some categories can get overwhelming if you go too deep, so don’t hesitate to use a “Miscellaneous” subcategory when needed 😅

I also created a custom main category called “R&D (Research & Development)” for personal projects and growth. Feel free to take what works for you and leave the rest—I plan to keep refining this setup as my needs evolve 👍

• Debt Repayment 🏦
  

• Health & Wellness 💪
  └─ Fitness
  └─ Medical Bills
  └─ Supplements
  

• Housing 🏡
  └─ Rent
  └─ Maintenance / HOA Fees
  

• Food & Dining 🥗
  └─ Groceries
  └─ Eating Out
  └─ Delivery
  └─ Coffee & Drinks
  └─ Miscellaneous
  

• Household Essentials 🧴
  

• Entertainment & Leisure 🎥
  └─ Events & Exhibits
  └─ Movies
  └─ Subscriptions (non-utility)
  

• Transportation 🚗
  └─ Gas & Fuel
  └─ Public Transit
  └─ Rideshare
  

• Streaming & Subscriptions ⚡️
  └─ Netflix
  └─ Spotify
  └─ Amazon Prime
  └─ iCloud / Google One
  

• Insurance & Retirement 🛡️
  └─ Health Insurance
  └─ Car Insurance
  └─ Retirement Contributions
  

• Taxes 💸
  

• Savings & Investments 💰
  └─ Emergency Fund
  └─ Stock Investments
  

• Utilities & Bills 📡
  └─ Internet
  └─ Cell Phone
  └─ Electricity / Water / Gas
  

• R&D (Personal Projects) 💡
  └─ Learning & Courses
  └─ Books
  └─ Test Devices / Tools
  

• Charity & Donations ❤️
  

Once you’ve decided on your categories, the key is consistency. Try to log every expense right after it happens.

The Money Keeper app includes a helpful “Monthly Summary” feature that makes it easy to see where your money is going each month at a glance.

Tracking your spending habits not only helps you reflect on past choices, but also plan smarter and stay more in control of your finances 📊

Money Keeper

Expenses Tracker, Payday & Budget Calendar