Categories
The Categories page helps you understand where your money goes. See spending patterns by category, control which expenses are projected, and keep your finances organized.
Overview
Categories provide:
- Spending breakdown - See totals by category
- Projectable vs discretionary - Control what's included in forecasts
- Trend analysis - Track category spending over time
- Quick categorization - Batch update uncategorized transactions
Viewing Categories
Category Summary
At the top of the page, you'll see:
- Total Spending - All categorized spending
- Projectable - Recurring, predictable expenses
- Discretionary - Variable, optional spending
Category Table
Each category shows:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Category | Category name and icon |
| Transactions | Number of transactions |
| Total Spent | Sum of all transactions |
| Avg Amount | Average transaction size |
| Last Transaction | Most recent activity |
| Projectable | Whether it's included in projections |
Filtering Categories
Use the tabs to filter your view:
- All - Every category
- Projectable - Only recurring expenses
- Discretionary - Only variable spending
Projectable vs Discretionary
Projectable Categories
Projectable categories contain regular, predictable expenses:
- Rent or mortgage
- Insurance premiums
- Subscription services
- Utility bills
These are included in your cash flow projections because they're expected to recur.
Discretionary Categories
Discretionary categories contain variable, optional spending:
- Restaurants and dining
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Hobbies
These are NOT included in projections because they vary and can be adjusted.
Toggling Categories
Click the toggle in any category row to switch between projectable and discretionary. This affects:
- Cash flow projections
- Daily spending limit calculations
- What's shown as "committed" expenses
Managing Categories
Category Overview
The Category Overview section shows:
- How many transactions are uncategorized
- Quick stats on category distribution
- One-click batch categorization
Adding Categories
To create a new category:
- Click "Add Category"
- Enter a name
- Choose an icon (optional)
- Set as projectable or discretionary
- Save
Editing Categories
Click any category row to:
- Rename the category
- Change the icon
- View all transactions in this category
- Delete the category (transactions move to "Uncategorized")
Batch Categorization
If you have many uncategorized transactions:
- Click "Batch Categorize" in the overview
- Review suggested categories
- Approve or change each suggestion
- Save all at once
Default Categories
CshFlow comes with built-in categories:
Essential Categories
- Housing (rent, mortgage)
- Utilities (electric, gas, water)
- Groceries
- Transportation
- Insurance
- Healthcare
Lifestyle Categories
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel
- Personal care
- Fitness
Financial Categories
- Savings
- Investments
- Debt payments
- Banking fees
Category Analysis
Spending Trends
Click any category to see:
- Monthly spending over time
- Average monthly amount
- Highest and lowest months
- Year-over-year comparison
Vendor Breakdown
Within each category, see:
- Which vendors make up the spending
- How much goes to each vendor
- Frequency of transactions per vendor
Budget Comparison
If you've set category targets:
- See actual vs target spending
- Track progress through the month
- Get alerts when approaching limits
Tips for Using Categories
Keep Categories Broad
Too many categories makes analysis harder. Aim for 10-15 main categories that capture your spending patterns.
Review Weekly
Spend a few minutes each week:
- Categorizing new transactions
- Checking for miscategorized items
- Reviewing category totals
Set Projectable Carefully
Only mark categories as projectable if they're truly recurring:
- Bills that come every month
- Subscriptions you maintain
- Regular services
Don't mark discretionary spending as projectable even if you spend in that category every month.
Use Category Links
When viewing a category's details, you can:
- Click through to see all transactions
- Jump to vendors in that category
- Export category data
Watch for Patterns
Categories reveal spending habits:
- Is dining out higher than groceries?
- Are subscriptions adding up?
- Which categories grow over time?
Next Steps
- Set up Vendor Analysis for deeper insights
- Configure your Daily Spending Limit based on categories
- Use Insights for automated spending analysis