Why do categories matter?
Without categories, you might know "I spent $3,000 this month," but you won't know where the money actually went.
Proper categorization is the key to analyzing spending patterns and finding expenses you can cut.
Recommended category system
Too many categories make tracking tedious; too few make analysis useless. 7-10 categories is ideal:
- Food & Drink: Groceries, dining out, cafes
- Transport: Public transit, taxi, gas
- Housing: Rent, maintenance, utilities
- Telecom: Phone, internet
- Healthcare: Doctor, pharmacy
- Leisure: Movies, hobbies, travel
- Shopping: Clothing, household items
- Education: Courses, books, classes
- Other: Gifts, donations, etc.
Benefits of AI auto-categorization
No more wondering "Is this food or entertainment?" AI reads the item name and categorizes it automatically, ensuring consistent classification.
In 4W1H, typing "Starbucks Americano" is automatically categorized as Food by AI.
More important than categories: consistency
A perfect system matters less than the habit of recording daily. It's okay if categories aren't always perfect. When records accumulate, patterns emerge, and that's when change begins.