13 Budget Categories all couples should agree on
Even the best budgets can fall apart if you don’t agree on where your money should go. Couples often find it easy to agree on the big things but can be surprised by the small ones, like how often to eat out, whether your dog needs a birthday party or what counts as a necessity. Coming together and talking about budget categories can help you avoid confusion, manage priorities and make financial conversations feel less like a debate and more like teamwork.
Housing & Utilities
It goes without saying that the home is one of the biggest shared expenses we all deal with. Whether it’s rent, paying off a mortgage or paying board, this category should include rent, rates, electricity, water, internet and any other essential bills. Working together and having a clear perspective about what’s important for the home can keep things comfortable without stressing over last minute bills.
2. Groceries
Food spending can vary a lot between couples, and can be a tricky category at the best of times. Agree on what counts as “groceries” for the two of you; weekly food shops, basic household items, toiletries and what belongs somewhere else like dining out. The important part is that you both agree on what counts as groceries so you can plan meals together, and avoid expensive last minute trips to fill the pantry.
3. Eating Out
Post covid - eating out has become a staple for everyone. Takeaway meals, coffees and especially date nights need their own space in your budget. However, setting a limit doesn’t mean cutting the fun, it just means being intentional. When you both know the boundaries, you can take the time and enjoy the night out without the guilt.
4. Savings
Every couple needs to plan for their future. Whether you have a rainy day fund, you’re saving for a deposit or you’re trying to build up for a holiday goal, a savings category can help you build stability together. Automatic transfers to savings can make it effortless, ensuring progress even during a busy week.
5. Transportation
Fuel, car maintenance, Uber and public transport - these costs can add up quickly. Work together, plan what should go into this category and review it regularly as things can change rapidly. It’s also a good place to slowly build funds for bigger hits such as car services or registration.
6. Subscriptions
Streaming platforms, apps, cloud storage and memberships are by their very design easy to forget. Take a moment together to list all the subscriptions you use and then you can decide which ones are essential, which can be shared between the two of you and which ones can be cut. Updating the list regularly helps stop money from disappearing every month.
7. Home Maintenance
Small repairs and replacements can sneak up on you when you least expect it. Small furniture upgrades, the “we can fix it later” projects, or even patching some broken plaster can easily blow out an unprepared budget. A little planning will go a long way towards avoiding stress when something breaks.
8. Health
Health is as important as it can be unpredictable. Health insurance, checkups, medications, and general wellness costs can go here. It isn’t just about being prepared or covering an emergency, it’s about making sure that you can support each other's well being in the long run.
9. Gifts and Celebrations
Birthdays, holidays and anniversaries can catch people off guard if you aren’t ready. If you created a shared fund for gifts and celebrations, you can celebrate generously without breaking the bank. Better still, having money in this category removes any awkwardness about who’s paying for what
10. Pet Care
For couples with furry family members - food, vet visits and trips to the groomers can add up fast. Including pet care in your budget shows that you’re not just thinking about eachother,, but you’re also taking responsibility for the animals you share. It also ensures you’re never scrambling when it’s time for a vet bill or a new bag of food.
11. Experiences / Events
Creating memories is just as important as all the bills and savings. This category covers concerts, weekends away, festivals and anything else that lets you share in a moment to connect and have fun. Budgeting for experiences is more than just setting limits, it’s about making life richer by letting you know what you can do.
12. Technology
Phones, laptops and smart home devices will all eventually need to be replaced. Planning ahead keeps them from becoming impulse or emergency purchases. It’s also a good space to include shared digital purchases outside of subscriptions.
13. Side Hustles and Creative Tools
Whether it’s photography, a craft supply run or new tools for that job you’ve got coming up, these expenses fit into their own category. Treating them as a budget item instead of a burden helps you support each other’s interest and avoid blurring that line between a hobby and household spending.
Agreeing on your budget categories is one of the simplest ways to prevent confusion and frustration later. Once you’ve set them, you can fine-tune the numbers together — confident that you’re both working toward the same goals, one category at a time.