If you’ve got 192 budget categories, budgeting can take forever. It's annoying to have to scroll through an endless list of categories to find the one you want, BUT! it doesn’t have to be this way! Today, Ashley is sharing three different tactics you can use in your own budget to find your category sweet spot.

Here is our first tip to help you decide how many categories you need in your budget save in specific categories; spend in general ones.

Your savings could pay for your next computer, a house project, a pair of running shoes, or a new car. Whatever you’re saving for, it’s motivating to know that you’re chipping in for a future purchase that will make your life better—and being specific is what’s so motivating!

Next, split transactions. Here’s our disclaimer, especially if you are new to budgeting, don’t make your budget require so much effort that you quit.

If you are spending more time sorting through Amazon and Target purchases than you are on your financial goals, simplify! YNAB wants to help you see the big picture and get you excited for the future, not create more busy work in your life.

So before you breakdown your Costco receipt, ask yourself, “Is it actually useful to know how much money I budgeted for fancy cheese or personal care products?” Maybe knowing exactly what you spent on toothpaste so far this year isn’t that important. There you go! An easy area to simplify.

Another tactic is to combine categories. Some YNABers combine their streaming services. Instead of having separate categories for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Spotify, you could have one called “Streaming” and use the notes area to keep yourself organized. The idea isn’t to combine everything, it’s to find like categories that go well together.

Remember that your budget is a living, breathing thing. Life changes, and budgets should, too. Don’t feel like you have to get it perfect right now—these aren’t permanent decisions. Play with it!

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Timestamps

0:00 Intro
0:30 Save in Specific Categories; Spend in General Ones.
1:34 Be Mindful with Split Transactions
2:34 Combine Categories If It Makes Sense
3:38 Revisit and Revise

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