Post Your Spending Breakdown!

[jpo]

Was playing around in Mint and was wondering how my expenses stack up percentage-wise to other Mustachians!

So, post your average spending by percentage... I'm using the Mint categories from the Trends/Spending/By Category page - note this does not include savings rate!

Home: 40%
Food & Dining: 20%
Auto & Transport: 16%
Bills & Utilities: 8%
Pets: 8%
Shopping: 3%
Other: 5%

[arebelspy]

This was my 2011 spending, converted to dollars to percent for you.  It's based on my own categories, not Mint's, so it'll be slightly different than yours.

I'll have to get back to you about this year in about four months.  I do expect this year to be different in several categories.

Housing (Mortgage + HOA): 22%
Utilities (Electricity, Water/Sewage, Garbage): 2.4%
Cell Phones: 2.3%
Food: 14.7% (Groceries 11%, Fast Food 1.4%, Restaurants 2.3%)
Student Loans: 12.7%
Entertainment: 12.6%
Travel: 12.5%
Auto: 9.1%
Shopping ("Stuff"): 6.8%
Other/Misc (Financial, Health and Fitness, etc): 4.3%

Percents are based on spending, not income (about 75% savings rate, so divide the above numbers by four to base it on income.)

[Orvell]

I can't tell you my yearly, only my monthly at this point.
This is for Semptember 2012.
Still learning how to best track this data.
% is based on income.

Rent+Internet+Electric = 26%
Art = 20%
Food = 5%
Gas = 1%
Saved = 48%

It was an unusually high art spending month.

[Russ]

housing: 68% / $500 per month (includes utilities)
groceries: 16% / $30 or less per week (mostly food, but also household things like soap and brillo pads)
everything else: 16% / $30 or less per week (going out w/ friends, travel, stuff for my bikes, etc.)

Edit: Now with real dollars! so $500/mo. for a place to live, and about $240/mo. for everything else. I'm not much of a budgeter but it works out like this pretty naturally. /edit

I'm fortunate to still be on my parents' cell phone and insurance plans. This also doesn't include big one-time non-negotiable things like moving, although that's usually covered by my employer anyway.

Spending-based. For income-based, divide by 5

[StashinIt]

Home: 27%
Gifts & Donations: 27%
Food & Dining: 12%
Taxes: 9%
Auto & Transport: 8%
Bills and Utilities: 4%
Entertainment: 4%
Health and Fitness: 3%
Other: 6%

Edit: Savings rate 35%

[anastrophe]

Numbers are September '11-September '12. Once I finish my degree, the "grad school expenses" will convert to "student loan payments." The "medical" category is the amount that exceeded my HCSA, actual expenses were higher.

Still too much shopping! Must reform further.

36.16%   Rent (includes heat & electric)
24.11%   Food & Dining
11.10%   Shopping (“stuff,” clothes, gadgets, etc)
9.55%   Grad school expenses
5.14%   Medical & dental
2.81%   Utilities (stove gas & internet)
2.81%   Entertainment
2.28%   Travel
2.14%   Phone
2.01%   Pets
0.98%   Gifts
0.77%   Transit
0.14%   Miscellaneous unaccounted for:(

[Able was I ERE]

This is my 2012 spending so far, in my own categories (numbers may not add to 100 due to rounding):

Home (Mortgage ITI, Maintenance): 23%
Utilities (Electricity, Water, Heat, Cell Phone, Internet): 11%
Transportation: 17%
Food: 10%
Health (insurance and co-pays): 13%
Hobbies: 4%
Student Loan: 3%
Misc (Travel, Clothing, Entertainment, Gifts, etc): 18% (mostly travel this year)


Based on spending, not income (about a 70% saving rate, so divide by 3.33333 to get income-based.)

[arebelspy]

Savings rates around here are awesome.  For those who posted it in this thread, there is 75, 50, 80, 70.

That's pretty darn good.

[TLV]

October 2011 - September 2012

Housing 37%
Food 15%
Transportation 14%
Travel 8%
Utilities 7%
Baby-related 5%
Everything else 14%

70% Savings rate over that time period.

[StashinIt]

Savings rates around here are awesome.  For those who posted it in this thread, there is 75, 50, 80, 70.

That's pretty darn good.

Indeed, very impressive.

[bigchrisb]

Impressive to see the saving rates here! 

I track mine in gross terms.  On that basis it is:

Tax: 22.3%
Interest: 21.7%
Loan principal reduction: 22.2%
Retirement funds: 9.7%
Stock purchases: 6.3%
Home deposit for future home purchase: 2.8%
Housing: 1.6%
Car: 2.8%
Food: 2.6%
Diving: 1.8%
Travel: 1.8%
Utilities: 0.6%
Insurance: 0.4%
Fitness: 0.5%
Discretionary: 2.3%

Consumption represents 14.4% of total.  Obviously interest and taxation are the two biggest non-savings items for me to target!

[happy]

Breakdown of expenses expressed in percentage of total expenses.

Mortgage interest 24.5%
Food 17% (includes groceries and petfood)
Car 9.5%
Schooling costs 9.5%
Work related Professional fees 6.5%
Household services 5%
Gas/H2O/ Electricity 5%
Donations 4%
Gifts 3.5%
Council rates 3%
Phones/Internet 3%
Medical 3%
Dental 2%
Holidays 2%
Clothing 1%
Other 1.5%

Savings rate 55%

[Miaow1]

Hello;
 What is a good (realistic) savings rate, besides "as large as possible." Also should savings rates be calculated from gross or net income. Thanks

[arebelspy]

Hello;
 What is a good (realistic) savings rate, besides "as large as possible." Also should savings rates be calculated from gross or net income. Thanks

It really depends on one's circumstances.

Single, with a partner, one worker in the household, two?  Kids (and how many) or no kids?  Location (cost of living varies wildly)?

Someone burdened with past stuff (large student loans, mortgage on house larger than necessary, perhaps car loans) or other potentially bad choices (consumer or credit card debt) will have a lot harder time achieving a high savings rate (though extra payments sent to debt count as "savings," all the money going to interest does not, so that hurts).

That's why the answer is usually "as large as possible... given your circumstances"

[lauren_knows]

I'll bite.  For reference, this is the last 3 months averaged. Our "housing" is particularly high because we've been throwing a lot toward our mortgage.  We have since decided to shift gears (we're refinancing, paying min mortgage, focusing more on investments for awhile).

Housing - 55.31%
Food & Dining - 13.28%
Shopping - 6.20%
Bills & Utilities - 5.23%  (includes cell phones. Also includes my Mother's cell line, which she pays us for)
Auto & Transport - 5.05%
Financial - 4.84% ("Loan" to my brother, who despite having a recent Masters degree, is struggling to find work while applying for med schools.  No sweating this.)
Taxes - 3.63% (this past month our personal property taxes, and property tax was due)
Travel - 3.54%
Health & Fitness - 1.53%
Personal Care   - 0.71%
Entertainment   - 0.51%
Business Services - 0.16%

I haven't calculated our savings rate in awhile, but looking at this Mint chart really quick shows a 50% savings rate based on expenses and net income.  This doesn't take into account our 401k contributions.  Once I have some more coffee, maybe I'll figure out a true savings rate....

Also, to those wondering, our "Entertainment" is insanely low historically (for us) because we have a 6 month old bundle of joy at home keeping us busy.  haha.

[lauren_knows]

Speaking of savings rate. How are people calculating these, specifically?

(401k contributions, IRA contributions, other post-tax investments and savings) / (Net income + pre-tax contributions to 401k/etc)

Is that about right?

[James]

Hello;
 What is a good (realistic) savings rate, besides "as large as possible." Also should savings rates be calculated from gross or net income. Thanks

It really depends on one's circumstances.

Single, with a partner, one worker in the household, two?  Kids (and how many) or no kids?  Location (cost of living varies wildly)?

Someone burdened with past stuff (large student loans, mortgage on house larger than necessary, perhaps car loans) or other potentially bad choices (consumer or credit card debt) will have a lot harder time achieving a high savings rate (though extra payments sent to debt count as "savings," all the money going to interest does not, so that hurts).

That's why the answer is usually "as large as possible... given your circumstances"

I would certainly agree it depends a lot on one's circumstances.

The other huge factor is goals.  Your savings needs to be in line with your goals and vice versa.  For example, I could save more by continuing full time work, or drop to part time and save less while spending more time with my family.  I didn't start living mustachian until later in life, so I'm not FI yet.  "as large as possible" dictates full time work, but my principles dictate part time work (not right now, but soon).  I'll still reach FI early, just not as early as I could if I stayed full time.  For others it might be spending a little more to live close to town and avoid driving, or one spouse not working and being home with the kids.  As long as I keep my priorities right I think it's possible to save less than you possibly can and still be mustachian.  So I think the best answer is to ask if you are being mustachian and living according to your goals.  If so, then the savings rate is simply what it is.  That doesn't mean you don't have a personal number/goal to reach, but I don't think that number is the focus of MMM, it's simply a natural extension that the number will be higher if you are mustachian than otherwise.

[jpo]

Speaking of savings rate. How are people calculating these, specifically?

(401k contributions, IRA contributions, other post-tax investments and savings) / (Net income + pre-tax contributions to 401k/etc)

Is that about right?

This is how I would do it.

Lots of admirable savings rates here, makes me think I need a quick punch in the face at 40%!

[TLV]

Speaking of savings rate. How are people calculating these, specifically?

(401k contributions, IRA contributions, other post-tax investments and savings) / (Net income + pre-tax contributions to 401k/etc)

Is that about right?

I use ([Income net of taxes and tithe] - Expenses) / (Income net of taxes and tithe), where income includes things like 401k contributions and employer match, but not investment returns.

[arebelspy]

Speaking of savings rate. How are people calculating these, specifically?

Your formula is fine, except you need to subtract expenses in the numerator.

So we don't get too sidetracked and muddle up the spending breakdown while debating that in this thread, here is a previous discussion on the topic: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/calculating-savings-rate/

(And the second post of that thread links to an earlier discussion on the same topic as well.) 

Feel free to share/debate how you calculate it in one of those threads.  :)

[ShanghaiStashing]

Housing represents 60% of our budget (Shanghai is bloody expensive... 2brm apartment, 900 sqft more than I ever thought I would spend on a house). The good news is this is offset by an employer subsidy which is factored into the calculations below.

Based on spending:
Housing 57%
Food 12%
Dining out 5%
Utilities 1%
Phone / Internet / other 1.5%
Medical 1%
Public transport 3.5%
Entertainment +Travel 10%
Household (e.g., cleaners, cleaning lady) 4%
Personal / Grooming 5%

Savings rate is ~70% with a range between 65 and 75 depending on the month. This would look more like 90% if our housing costs weren't exorbinant. We're planning on moving to a new place when the lease expires that will cut our housing cost by half.

[Bakari]

Past 12 months:

Auto & Transport (34% of spending)
         Auto Service & Parts           $2,690.84 (ecomodding - inc. new transmission, 4LRR truck tires, deepcycle batteries)
         Gas & Fuel                   $1,178.16
         Auto Insurance                   $962.80 (truck, motorcycle, RV - which doubles as home insurance)
         Bicycle Parts                   $469.55 (theft replacement)
         DMV Fee                        $351.00
         Public Transportation           $130.00
         Auto & Transport           $125.00
         Parking                           $47.70

Home (25%)
          Mortgage & Rent           $3,709.84 (includes electricity and water)
          Furnishings                   $619.00 (refrigerator - old one broke)
          Home Improvement   $22.27

Business Services (13%)           $2,203.78 (purchasing supplies for clients up front, dump fees, etc)         

Food & Dining (6%)
            Groceries                  $713.32
            Restaurants                  $275.36
            Fast Food                  $73.99
            Alcohol & Bars             $6.84

Bills & Utilities       
            Mobile Phone                  $514.14 (Verizon contract is up next week!!! Hello PagePlus)
            Internet                      $180.41 (Internet was part of ATT landline for first half of previous year)
            Utilities                      $132.41 (propane)
            Home Phone                  $89.77

Shopping                  
            Work Tools                    $401.75
            Sporting Goods             $256.21
            Shopping                       $117.96
            Electronics & Software   $49.96
            Clothing                         $38.84

Health & Fitness                    $380.50 (gym)        
Gifts & Donations                    $357.00
Pets                                            $288.00 (vet bill - his food goes under general "grocery" category)
Uncategorized                             $265.65
Entertainment                            $76.82
Fees & Charges                            $27.00


Savings rate of roughly 50%

[arebelspy]

Food & Dining (6%)
            Groceries                  $713.32
            Restaurants                  $275.36
            Fast Food                  $73.99
            Alcohol & Bars             $6.84

I saw these numbers and went "Huh?  I thought Bakari was badass..."

Then I realized those are YEARLY numbers, not monthly (which I had realized for housing and other such numbers, but spaced on the food).  Under $100/mo.?  Badassity!

[Bakari]

No, now that you mention it, that's a little misleading - food is the one thing I often pay for in cash.  Super burritos from the truck should count as eating out, but it doesn't show up on Mint, and sometimes I buy groceries in cash too.

[arebelspy]

No, now that you mention it, that's a little misleading - food is the one thing I often pay for in cash.  Super burritos from the truck should count as eating out, but it doesn't show up on Mint, and sometimes I buy groceries in cash too.

Ah, okay, that makes sense.

I was figuring some growing your own food and hardcore dumpster diving.

[Bakari]

Hello;
 What is a good (realistic) savings rate, besides "as large as possible." Also should savings rates be calculated from gross or net income. Thanks

It really depends on one's circumstances.

Single, with a partner, one worker in the household, two?  Kids (and how many) or no kids?  Location (cost of living varies wildly)?

You left out the biggest variable of all:
Income.

There is no particular reason why someone needs to spend more just because they make more, so, all else being equal, the higher your income, the higher percentage of it you should be saving.

[DocCyane]

Housing 29.14% (Los Angeles)
Utilities 1.61%
Rental and umbrella insurance 0.69%
Car insurance, tags, fuel and maintenance 7.76%
Grocery 4.03%
Cable Internet Netflix 1.47%
Cell phone 0.21%
Pets 1.34%
Discretionary (toiletries, gifts, Christmas) 8.01%
Savings 45.59%

[spider1204]

For the past five months of living and working in KY.

Housing                   37.49%           Renting a room in a 3 bedroom.
Transportation         35.06%           Driving/Riding to work plus 110 miles each weekend.
     -Car Insurance     8.63%
     -Gas                    12.77%
     -Maintenance       11.32%
     -Bike Parts           2.34%            Actually a whole new bike, mine was recently stolen.
Food                       19.11%
Climbing                  3.48%             Gym membership, New Shoes, Camping Fees
Misc                        2.59%

Savings Rate           75%

Damn, I gotta figure out a cheaper way to get to the crag.

[kkbmustang]

You guys are amazing.

[sibamor]

HOUSING   38.20%
AUTO   8.72%
SAVING   12.70%
DEBT   10.81%
FOOD/ENT   18.38%
HOUSEHOLD   11.19%


HOUSING   
   MORTG: PRINC/INT
   HOME INS
   PROP TAXES
   CABLE
   UTILITIES
   PHONES
   TRASH
AUTO   
   GAS
   CAR INSURANCE
   MAINTENANCE
   VIC REG/TAXES
SAVING   
   General Saving
DEBT LOAN
FOOD   
   GROCERIES
   ACTIVITIES
   BOOZE
HOUSEHOLD   
   CLOTHING
   HOME
   GIFTS
   MISCELLANEOUS
   

[MooreBonds]

Location: Suburbs of St. Louis, MO

% only reflect wage income, and I assume applying all basic tax deductions/lowest tax rates to wages (and letting investment and side job income hit the highest tax rates). Also, it's just raw expenses, no budgeting for things like future car replacement, or a new roof at some point down the road, etc.

Overall:
34% Spending
23% Taxes (SS/Income)
43% Saving

43% Savings breakdown:
22% Tax-advantage (401k/HSA)
21% After-tax

34% Spending breakdown:
15% Residence (11% on 30 year 3.375% Mortgage / 4% Real Estate Taxes)
  3% Dating/relationships (will likely grow substantially, as I'm considering long-distance possibilities - but hey, this investment is worth it ;) )
  3% Home maintenance (damn lawn tractor purchase earlier this year!)
  3% Social
  2% Utilities
  2% Insurance (Auto/Home/Health)
  2% Food
  2% Miscellaneous (gifts, petty cash, etc.)
  1% Gas

[starbuck]

Home                  29% (PITI) (Refinancing soon!)
Travel                  18% (including but not limited to our 2 week honeymoon in Russia. We travel A LOT.)
Fun/cash              14%
Food & Dining     11%
Auto & Transport  11% (gas, repairs, maintenance, and public transit)
Bills & Utilities     7%
Health & Fitness     2%
Pet food/supplies  2%
Personal Care     1%

Average savings rate: 65%

Not included: joint checking account spending for home maintenance/reno and vet bills to which we both contribute monthly

Caveats: living in metro Boston. Also, this is a reflection of only my spending breakdown, excluding spouse's. Basic living expenses are split evenly, but I have a higher income so I tend to pay more often for fun and travel.

[lauren_knows]

  3% Dating/relationships (will likely grow substantially, as I'm considering long-distance possibilities - but hey, this investment is worth it ;) )
  3% Home maintenance (damn lawn tractor purchase earlier this year!)

Not to make fun, but I found it hilarious that you spent the same amount on dating as you did a lawn tractor :)

[Lars]

My numbers are from Mint for the last 3 months (since 2nd kid started daycare)

Daycare   27%
Home (Mortgage)   19%
Food & Dining   14%
Gifts & Donations   10%
Shopping, Kids Stuff, Misc   10%
Auto & Transport   8%
Bills & Utilities   8%
Financial (Car, Life, Disability Insurance)   3%
Health & Fitness   2%

Savings rate is approximately 50% net income (45% gross income)

I thought I'd find a pattern reading through the thread but the large variations in our percentages are larger than I was expecting.

[Worsted Skeins]

My numbers are from Mint for the last 3 months (since 2nd kid started daycare)

Daycare   27%
Home (Mortgage)   19%
Food & Dining   14%
Gifts & Donations   10%
Shopping, Kids Stuff, Misc   10%
Auto & Transport   8%
Bills & Utilities   8%
Financial (Car, Life, Disability Insurance)   3%
Health & Fitness   2%

Savings rate is approximately 50% net income (45% gross income)

I thought I'd find a pattern reading through the thread but the large variations in our percentages are larger than I was expecting.

Indeed but the lack of pattern is probably due to the number of ages and stages as well as differences in geography.

Without going into detail, I will note that the largest slice of our expense pie now goes for my son's college education.  Yes, we saved for it.  But we are not tapping into investments as I thought we might. 

[Bakari]

I thought I'd find a pattern reading through the thread but the large variations in our percentages are larger than I was expecting.

Indeed but the lack of pattern is probably due to the number of ages and stages as well as differences in geography.

Thats why I posted both raw numbers and percentages.

There is so much variability in income, cost of living by region and home circumstances (house, apt, roommates?), and existing debt payments, that the percentages alone could mean almost anything!

[bigchrisb]

Thats why I posted both raw numbers and percentages.

There is so much variability in income, cost of living by region and home circumstances (house, apt, roommates?), and existing debt payments, that the percentages alone could mean almost anything!

Good idea! I was going to post mine with hard numbers, but when I went to work it out, I forgot about a large chunk of automated saving (tax return and a private company dividend).  New breakdown and absolutes, all in Australian Dollars below.  Income includes all work related income and dividends, but excludes any capital gain.  This is per year. Taxation includes all income/contributions tax.  It doesn't include consumption taxes (10% in Australia)

Tax: 17.3%, $44,600
Interest: 18.4%, $47,500
Loan principal reduction: 36.4%, $93,900
Retirement funds: 9.7%, $21,250
Stock dividend reinvestment: 5.3%, $13,700
Home deposit for future home purchase: 2.3%, $6,000
Housing (rent with housemates): 1.4% $3,500
Car: 2.3%, $6,000
Food: 2.2%, $5,700
Diving: 1.6%, $4,000
Travel: 1.6%, $4,000
Utilities: 0.5%, $1,200
Insurance: 0.3%, $900
Fitness: 0.4%, $1,000
Discretionary: 1.9%, $5,000

I think of the loan principal reduction, retirement, dividend reinvestment and home deposit as savings, for a gross savings rate of 54%.  Net of tax, my savings rate is 63%.  If you take out the interest (all investment debt, against assets that help generate some of the income), its up to 81%.

[archie]

This is a breakdown of my net income:  does not include 5% to retirement fund (company match) or health insurance and taxes:

Housing: 21%
Utilities: 4%
Gasoline= 6%
Grocery store: 7%
Student loans= 39%  paid off hopefully December 2016, large balance 
General savings = 7%
Travel fund= <1% (for road trip next summer)
Car fund= 3%
Car insurance= <1% (paid every 6 months)
Clothing= <1/2%
Fun= 7%  (alcohol, zoo, ball park, gifts, pocket money etc.)
Phone service = 1%

[Use it up, wear it out...]

We're a family of 4, children aged 4 and 2, living in Brooklyn, New York City.

Here's a breakdown of my expenses for the last 12 months in descending order:

Taxes: 26%
Child care: 17%
Charity: 10%
Food: 9%
HOA fees + mortgage interest: 9%
Household / shopping: 5%
Misc: 5%
Vacation: 4%
Insurance: 3%
Leisure: 3%
Transportation: 2%
Education: 2% (this will go down, as my wife just graduated in May!)
Utilities: 1%
Gifts: 1%
Healthcare: 1%
Clothing: 1%

[MooreBonds]

  3% Dating/relationships (will likely grow substantially, as I'm considering long-distance possibilities - but hey, this investment is worth it ;) )
  3% Home maintenance (damn lawn tractor purchase earlier this year!)

Not to make fun, but I found it hilarious that you spent the same amount on dating as you did a lawn tractor :)

Yes, I saw that when I typed it, and figured someone would comment on it. :P 

It's largely that low because I have only gone out on a few different dates, and not been in a relationship for a while. If I wind up in a LDR and plane tickets become a regular purchase, that'll get jacked up to a solid second place.

[CanuckExpat]

According to Mint this is our breakdown the last 8 months or so:
Home: 26%
Travel: 15%
Food & Dining: 14%
Auto & Transport: 10%
Business Services: 6% (probably stuff waiting reimbursement)
Shopping: 6%
Bills & Utilities: 4%
Pets: 3%
Other: 5%

And the savings rate was apparently around 70% for the time period, which surprises me.
Any thoughts?

[Rangifer]

Monthly Breakdown:

Housing             0%   
Car insurance  2.6%
Gasoline          5.7%
Cell Phone       1.8%
Food               10.7%
Student Loan   10.7% (minimum is 1.9% but I'm paying it off faster)
Fun money      5.7%
Internet           1.8%
Utilities            0.4%

Total               39.4%

[kolorado]

Housing(mortgage, taxes, insurance, rent, utilities, phones and internet): 40% Just ridiculous with the cross country move this year! :/
Transportation(gas, insurance, registration, maintenance): 10%
Other needs(food, clothes, home & grooming, health(but not insurance),education): 27%
Fun(pocket money, allowance, vacation and travel, gifts and donations):23%


ETA: This year's savings rate is just 26%. Next year, as homeowners instead of renters, we will be back to a savings rate over 35%. :)

[tehfury87]

% of total spending:
Rent: 31%
Hobbies*: 14%
Vacation/Travel**: 11%
Groceries: 9%
Utilities****: 6%
Cash (i.e. unknown): 5%
Dining out: 4%
Gas: 4%
Alcohol***: 4%
Car insurance: 3%
Car maintenance: 3%
Clothing, Household, "Electronics/Stuff", Entertainment, Charity, Other: 1% each

*Hobbies include skiing, dance lessons, rock climbing... expensive stuff that can be worked on
**includes all spending while traveling, so about half of this is dining out
***includes bars and stores
****mostly electricity, but also internet and cable TV (lousy Comcast makes it hard to get just internet access and save significantly)

This doesn't include another 62% equivalent for student loans, which I count as savings.

Savings rate: 65%
Counting 401k+match and student loan payments as savings.  39% if counting loan payments as spending.

[ketchup]

House payment + property taxes: 21.5%
Natural Gas: 0.6%
Electricity: 3.2%
Internet: 2.8%
Trash pickup: 1%
Groceries: 15.9%
Gas: 16.5%
Car insurance: 8.3%
Cell phone: 5.4%
Car maintenance/repairs/etc: 5.8%
Eating out: 9.9%
Clothes: 0.8%
Gym: 3.3%
"Misc.": 5%

Savings rate: 62.2%

[Squirrel away]

Mortgage   23%
Bills          19%
Groceries   15%
Spending   2%
Saving       41%

I just worked it out and that is my spending breakdown at the moment.

[DollarBill]

House Taxes & Ins & Car Ins = 9% Roughly $420 (House paid off)
Food = 6% Roughly $250-300
Phone = 1.5% / $70
Utilities (Cable, Internet, Water, Gas, Electric, trash) = 6% roughly $300
Vehicle Gas = 2% / $100 (Car Paid off)
Fun Money = 6% / $300
Savings = 69.5% (Drops 60% in Nov, Retiring after 22 yrs Military)

[Zikoris]

Our spending breakdown percentages for the first three months on 2014:

Housing - 57%
Food - 11%
Entertainment - 9%
Personal care - 8%
Bills - 6%
Shopping - 5%
Other - 4%

Not including savings, which are high obviously. Our average monthly spending for the first 3 months has been $1321.

[BlueMR2]

My categories aren't much like the OP's and are skewed a little, since I don't have my wife's numbers and she buys most of the food and most of her own transportation stuff, but I do all of the other expenses.  It's also been an odd 1Q for things that have broken...:

House (and utilities) - 13.25%
MR2 (my daily driver) - 3.36%
DSM (my racecar) - 41.80%
Food    (the little I buy myself) - 2.06%
Celica (the wife's daily driver) - 0.12%
Shooting (expensive hobby) - 1.80%
Church (and all other donations) - 28.22%
Healthcare (anything at all related to healthcare that's not employer covered) - 2.57%
Computers (maintenance and upkeep expenses, including internet service, phones go here too) - 1.13%
Katana (motorcycle) - 1.47%
Airplanes (expensive hobby) - 4.11%
Radio (sometimes expensive hobby) - 0.11%

[zurich78]

Just curious because this is something I've been having trouble with ....

When you are looking at your budget, how do you guys manage/categorize food and other purchases, that don't occur at a grocery store?  For instance....

I go to Target to get supplies for the house like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc.  But now they have groceries so I'll also pick up food. 

Or maybe you don't and you just assume that all Target = food or all Target = home supplies?

I'm having a tough time understanding my true spending on food without scrutinizing every single receipt.