Budget Nerds #134 - Ben's Category Breakdown (2026 Edition)
12 snips
Feb 11, 2026 A deep dive through a 93-category budgeting plan, organized into ten clear groups. Stories explain how categories evolved from frustrations and life changes. Topics include handling bonuses, frequent variable spending, giving buckets, bills vs non-monthlies, goals and funded goals, and automated allowances for kids.
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Personal Spending With Hobby Subaccounts
- Ben split personal spending into a ready-to-assign bucket and many subcategories he rarely funds monthly.
- He runs hobbies like poker with separate categories and reconciles dozens of buy-in transactions after each game.
Fund Remote Work Coffee Breaks
- Create a small monthly remote-work fund for coffee or lunch out to encourage productive change of scenery.
- Make it use-it-or-rollover so money motivates you to take that time instead of accumulating unused funds.
Separate Types Of Giving
- Separate giving into intent-driven buckets: random compassion, gifts/parties, institutional giving, and church.
- That separation makes generosity intentional and removes friction when the need arises.