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If you’re trying to save some money, trimming some discretionary spending categories from your budget can be a good way to start.

But it isn’t necessarily the only or best way to save — especially if reducing or removing things like streaming services, concerts, or monthly massages from your budget makes it harder to stick to your plan.

Instead, it may make sense to track where your money is going for a few weeks and then take a look at all your spending categories to determine which cuts could have the biggest impact.

What Are Spending Categories?

Spending categories can help you group similar expenses together to better organize your budget. They can come in handy when you’re laying out your spending priorities, deciding how much money to allot toward various wants and needs, and determining whether an expense is essential or nonessential.

Many of the budgets you’ll see online use pretty much the same spending categories, such as housing, transportation, utilities, food, childcare, and entertainment. But you may find it’s more useful to track your spending for a while with a money tracker, and then create some of your own categories. You may choose to drill down to specific bills or go broader, breaking down your budget into just the basics.

By personalizing your spending categories, you may be able to put together a budget that’s more manageable — and, therefore, one you’re more likely to stay with.

How Do Spending Categories Work?

To customize your spending categories, it can help to gather as much information as possible about where your money is actually going.

You can start by looking at old bank and credit card statements to get a good picture of past spending. Your bigger spending categories should be easier to figure out. Those bills are often due on the same day every month and are usually about the same amount. But you’ll also want to keep an eye out for expenses that come just once or a few times a year (such as taxes, vet bills, etc.). And, if you use cash frequently, you’ll want to determine where that money went, too.

A tracking app can help you grasp the hard truth about your spending as you move forward. That cute plant you bought for your windowsill? Pitching in for a co-worker’s going-away gift? Those little splurges can add up before you know it.

Once your spending picture comes into focus, you can divide your expenses into useful personal budget categories, and start thinking about what you might be able to trim or cut out altogether.


💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.

Examples of Spending Categories

Although it can be effective to organize your spending categories in a way that’s unique to you, there are a few basic classifications that can work for most households when making a budget: They include:

Essential Spending

•   Housing: This category could include your rent or mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowners or renters insurance, HOA fees, etc.

•   Utilities: You could limit this to basic services like gas, electricity, and water, or you might decide to include your cell phone service, cable, and WiFi costs.

•   Food: This amount could be limited to what you spend on groceries every month, or it could include your at-home and away-from-home food costs.

•   Transportation: Your car payment could go in this category, along with fuel costs, parking fees, car maintenance, car insurance, public transportation, and DMV fees. You could also include the cost of Uber rides.

•   Childcare: If you need childcare while you work, this cost would be considered necessary spending. If it’s for a night out, you may want to move it to the entertainment or personal care category.

•   Medical Costs and Health Care: This could include your health insurance premiums, insurance co-pays and prescription costs, vision and dental care, etc.

•   Clothing: Clothing is a must-have, of course, but with limits. You may want to put impulse items in a separate category as a nonessential or discretionary expense.

Non-essential Spending

•   Travel: This category would be for any travel that isn’t work-related, whether it’s a road trip or a vacation in Paris.

•   Entertainment: You could get pretty broad in this category, but anything from streaming services and videogames to concerts and plays could go here.

•   Personal: This might be your category for things like salon visits, your gym membership, and clothes and accessories that are more of a want than a need.

•   Gifts: If you’re a generous gift-giver, you may find you need a separate category for these expenses.

Other Spending

•   Savings and investments: Though it isn’t “essential” for day-to-day life, putting money aside for long- and short-term goals is a must for most budgets.

•   Emergency fund: This will be your go-to for unexpected car repairs, home repairs, or medical bills.

•   Debt repayment: Student loan payments, credit card debt, and other balances you’re trying to pay off could fit in this category.

Pros and Cons of Spending Categories

The idea of making a budget can be daunting, particularly if you’re trying to fit your needs and wants into spending categories that aren’t suited to how you live. Here are some pros and cons to using categories for spending that might keep you motivated and help you avoid potential budgeting pitfalls.

Pros

•   More control: Creating a budget with spending categories that match your lifestyle can help you put your money toward things that really matter to you.

•   Less stress: If you’re living paycheck to paycheck even though you know your income is sufficient to cover your needs, a budget with realistic spending categories can help you see where your money is going.

•   Better planning: Whether you’re trying to save for a vacation, wedding, house, retirement, or all of the above, including those goals in your spending categories will help ensure they get your attention.

Cons

•   May feel limiting: Working with a budget can feel restrictive, especially if you’ve been winging it for a while or aren’t including enough discretionary spending.

•   Time consuming: It might take some trial and error to find a budget system that works for you. And if you’re budgeting as a couple, you’ll likely have to work out some compromises when determining your spending categories.

•   Requires maintenance: Budgeting isn’t a one and done. You’ll be more likely to succeed if you consistently track your spending to make sure you’re hitting your goals.

Common Spending Categories to Cut First

Often when you see or hear budgeting advice, it tends to focus on cutting back on small extras — $6 daily lattes at your favorite café, for example, or those weekly Happy Meals for the kids. Some other top spending categories that traditionally are among the first to hit the chopping block include:

•   Gym memberships

•   Dining out

•   Subscription services you don’t use anymore

•   Cable

•   Personal care services you can do at home for less, such as manicures and pedicures

•   Alcoholic beverages

•   Cigarettes and vaping products

•   Vacations

But it can also be useful to review, and potentially cut back on, how much you’re budgeting for basic living expenses, such as:

•   Clothing and shoes

•   Utility bills

•   Groceries

•   Insurance

•   Cars

•   Cellphones and computers

•   Rent

Tips for Customizing Your Spending Categories

As you create your spending plan, keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s. If you track your expenses and use that information to create your personalized budget, you may have a better chance of building a plan you can stick with.

Here are some more steps to consider as you get started:

•   Be realistic. It may take a while to get to your goal, but doing even a little bit consistently can make a difference. Know yourself and do what you can.

•   Don’t forget irregular expenses. Bills that you pay every month can be easy to remember. (You might even put them on autopay to make things more convenient.) But infrequent expenses such as tax bills can get away from you if you don’t include them in your spending categories.

•   Avoid spending more than you have. Knowing how much you’ll have left after taxes each month is an important part of successful planning. An emergency fund can help you stay on track when unexpected expenses pop up.

•   Leave room for fun. Eliminating date nights and small splurges completely could make it much harder to stay with your plan.

•   Pay yourself. Make saving and investing goals a separate spending category.

•   Find a budgeting method that works for you. Whether it’s the popular 50/30/20 budget — which divides your after-tax income into needs, wants, and savings — or a detailed spending breakdown with multiple categories, try various budgeting methods until you find one that motivates you.

💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

The Takeaway

Want to save some money but know you need to make some changes? Monitoring where your money is going every month can help you create a spending plan with categories that are customized to your needs, wants, and goals. A plan that’s realistic, but not too restrictive, can give you the kind of control and motivation you need to get and stay on track financially.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What are the four main categories in a budget?

The four main spending categories for most budgets are housing, food, utilities, and transportation. Once you’ve established how much you’ll need to cover these costs, you can move on to planning for other expenses.

What is the 50/30/20 rule of budgeting?

The 50/30/20 rule is a budgeting method that allocates your take-home income to three main spending categories: needs or essentials (50%), wants or nonessentials (30%), and saving or financial goals (20%).

What are the four characteristics of a successful budget?

A successful budget usually includes accurate income and spending projections, realistic and personalized spending categories, consistent and frequent check-ins, and solid savings goals.

Photo credit: iStock/mapodile

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Clothing is an often overlooked expense when planning a budget, but pretty much everyone has to spend some money on clothes for work, off hours, and social occasions. Whether you are a trial attorney who needs a wardrobe full of quality suits or a landscaper who gets good and muddy, there are ways to buy clothing without spending a fortune.

Here, learn what factors go into retail pricing, where to buy quality clothes, and how to snag some bargains.

Understand What Goes Into Retail Pricing

Fashion brands establish pricing on a cost-per-unit basis. The final retail price is set by factoring in various expenses and business strategies, such as manufacturing and material costs and marketing and branding expenses.

Manufacturing Costs

The cost of raw materials, labor, packaging, and shipping are obvious factors that determine the price of clothing. But pricing is more nuanced than that. Popular brands or high-end brand names will set higher prices for their products on the assumption that they offer higher quality and better designs. There are also marketing costs to consider.

Brand Reputation

Whether a brand is perceived as a luxury brand, like Versace, or a value brand, like those sold at big box stores, will play a large part in pricing. For example, LuluLemon is a popular, in-demand brand that can price its clothing at the higher end of the scale. Sometimes a popular in-demand brand will have to slash its prices because it no longer holds the prestige it once did.

Supply and Demand

Supply and demand is a huge factor affecting the final price of a product. If a style, product, or brand is in demand, retailers can mark up the prices substantially. The fact that there is not enough to go around means people will likely pay more. (Inflation can be part of this equation, too.)

However, if the supply exceeds demand, retailers will have to drop the price to try to encourage sales so they are not left with inventory they cannot sell.

The Distribution Chain

Another factor in the price of clothing is the distribution chain. Some brands manufacture their own clothing and sell exclusively through their own retail outlets, which can help them keep the price lower. Warby Parker is an example of a retail brand that sells exclusively through their own retail outlets and website.

This business model means fewer add-on costs for the consumer. However, most brands sell through selected independent retailers who add on their own margin. Retailers set the final price by implementing their own desired markups, as well as any subsequent promotions and discounts to ensure they aren’t left with inventory.


💡 Quick Tip: Online tools make tracking your spending a breeze: You can easily set up budgets, then get instant updates on your progress, spot upcoming bills, analyze your spending habits, and more.

Seasonality

Some fashions are in demand for a season only and can be priced high until they lose their popularity. At that point, the price will drop or clothes are sold in a clearance sale as retailers try to get rid of old inventory.

You can save money by buying clothes in the off-season or when they are sold on clearance. There are also other ways to make sure you’re not blowing all of your budget on clothes.

Make Use of Coupons

Coupons are a sales strategy for retailers, but they also benefit the consumer. Consumers can shop online for less using coupons and other sales discounts. The buyer inputs a coupon code when they check out, and that code initiates a discount on the price.

Coupons can be found on many websites such as Saving Says, RetailMeNot, and SlickDeals. Also, many brands offer a discount if you sign up for their email list.

Buy Clothing from Consignment Stores and Thrift Shops

Buying second-hand clothes is one way to find quality clothes while sticking to a budget. Thrift shops and websites that sell pre-owned clothing are growing in popularity, particularly because of consumer interest in sustainable practices and brands that support the environment.

ThredUp is a popular online consignment and thrift store where consumers can buy and sell high-quality secondhand clothes. Other ideas for where to buy good quality clothes for less include ASOS Marketplace, Buffalo Exchange, Depop, Etsy, Poshmark, and Vinted.

Recommended: Guide to Selling Used Items

Buy During the Off-Season

Avoid buying on impulse by purchasing clothing in the off-season when you can find quality items on sale. Retailers want to get rid of stock when products are not in season. For example, few people are looking to buy ski gear in the height of spring or summer. Because there may be more supply than demand for ski gear at that time, retailers will reduce the price and sell the clothing at a discount.


💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

Look for Clearance Sales

Fashion trends typically last one season, and then new styles and products appear on the market. Retailers may find themselves with too much inventory going into a new season. To sell the inventory and not lose too much money, they will sell items in clearance sales, often with slashed prices.

Also, certain retailers are known for having regular sales cycles, such as the Gap and Old Navy. These can be good resources for where to buy good quality clothes on sale.

Consider Alternative Fabrics and Materials

Why does one t-shirt cost $50 and another $15? It could be because the $50 t-shirt has better quality fabric. Similarly, a pair of boots made of leather will be more expensive than a pair made of synthetic leather. In some cases, you might pay more for an item of clothing made of more durable or breathable materials. Investment pieces may be made of finer materials and crafted with more care to last longer.

However, if an item is serving a short-term fashion need, the quality of materials may be less important.

Also, less pricey synthetic materials may get a bad rap. For example, faux leather may be considered an unsuitable material for a shoe because it is unbreathable and less durable. Polyester is often compared to silk and is lambasted for not being “natural.” However, faux leather footwear may appeal to vegans, and polyester blouses last a lot longer than their silk counterparts. So, don’t discount alternatives.

Recommended: High-Paying Vocational Trade Jobs

See Before You Buy

If you do opt for the less expensive option, you might want to see the item before you buy it. If the item is too cheap and flimsy, it won’t last long. Check the seams and the hems to see if the stitching is acceptable, and check that the zip works. Buying a reasonably priced item of clothing is one thing, but there is such a thing as too cheap.”

Buy Less, Buy Better

Buying fewer clothes will save you money, so you might think about items to save up for, perhaps one or two quality pieces that will last the test of time. You can pair those quality and timeless pieces with other less expensive items. For example, a couple of quality suits for work can be paired with a number of blouses or shirts that come from a mid-range retailer. You can also build a wardrobe based on a basic color, like black or blue, so that all of your clothes can be mixed and matched.

Note: Also remember to note care labels when purchasing clothes. Those that say “Dry clean only” mean they will cost you more over their life in cleaning than those that can go in the washer or be hand-laundered at home.

Recommended Brands

Some mid-price quality fashion brands recommended by experts are COS, Everlane, H&M, Land’s End, LL Bean, and Uniqlo.

The Takeaway

Dressing well does not have to be a wallet-busting affair if you know where to buy quality clothes and which strategies to follow. In some cases, it is better to pay more for an item that will be durable and serve its purpose rather than to buy something cheap and experience frustration when it doesn’t wear well. However, even then, you can find discounts by using coupons, searching for clearance sales, buying second hand, or buying off season.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

Where to buy cheap good quality clothes?

Consignment stores and thrift stores are good places to buy good quality clothes for cheap. If you want to buy new, popular mid-range fashion brands are COS, Everlane, H&M, Land’s End, LL Bean, and Uniqlo.

How do I not spend all my money on clothes?

Avoid spending too much money on clothes by setting a budget and sticking to it. Also, don’t buy on impulse and focus on buying a few classic, high-quality pieces to match with less expensive tops and accessories. Build your wardrobe around a color so that you can mix and match and get more wear out of your clothes.

How can I be fashionable on a low budget?

The trick to being fashionable on a low budget is to choose a few quality items that you can pair with inexpensive, trendier items.

Photo credit: iStock/pixelfit

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Groceries are one of the biggest budget items on most families’ lists. Of course, how much you spend will depend on where you live, what you eat, and what your spending habits are. As food costs increase, so may the grocery budget for a family of three.

As you create or revise a monthly budget, it can help to look at how your food spending compares to other families.

American Average Grocery Budget for Family of 3

Each month, the USDA publishes a report showing the average costs of groceries at three price levels: budget, moderate, and liberal. Here’s a look at the middle-of-the-road spending for a family of three in 2023. Notice how the average cost of groceries rose more than $87 over the course of the year.

💡 Quick Tip: We love a good spreadsheet, but not everyone feels the same. An online budget planner can give you the same insight into your budgeting and spending at a glance, without the extra effort.

How Much to Budget for Groceries Per Person

No matter the size of your family, your grocery budget can depend largely on the cost of food where you live. For instance, according to data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, people in Hawaii, Alaska, and New York tend to pay more for food than residents of Texas, Wyoming, and Michigan. This means $700 per month for groceries may be more reasonable in Texas than in, say, Hawaii.

Creating a household budget and aren’t sure how much to allocate for food? A good rule of thumb is to set aside 10% of your income for groceries and other food costs. So if you take home around $5,000 a month, plan on budgeting $500 for food.

However, you may need to adjust that percentage, especially if you have a larger family or live in an area with a higher cost of living. It may be wise to track how much you spend in any given month on food and see what a reasonable budget would look like for you and your family.

How to Prioritize Your Grocery Spending

What does it mean to prioritize your grocery spending? It’s simply a way to ensure you’re making the most every dollar when you’re grocery shopping on a budget.

One strategy to consider is to set aside money each month automatically so you have enough to spend on food. Another option is to put groceries as one of the top line items in your monthly budget so you don’t forget to set aside money for it first.

It’s also important to scrutinize how much you spend on food and the choices you make in the grocery store aisles. It could be that your grocery budget is fine, but you may need to reel in how much you spend on certain ingredients or find cheaper alternatives.

Above all, though, make sure you settle on a budget that works for you and your family. Be sure it’s enough to cover what’s important to you all while still sticking to your larger spending plan.

How to Stay Within Your Grocery Budget

It’s easy to give in to temptation at the grocery store, but rest assured, staying within budget is possible. These tips can help:

Shop at discount retailers

Buying your groceries at lower-priced retailers can add up to significant savings, even better if you’re able to purchase ingredients you need on sale. Some retailers may have rewards programs, helping you earn free or heavily discounted groceries.

•   Make pricey purchases go the distance: Meat or related products like eggs tend to cost more than other ingredients. Look into recipes that help you stretch a pack of meat or carton of eggs over several meals.

•   Use what you have: Before heading to the grocery store, go through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry to see what you already have. Besides preventing food waste, this also helps you avoid purchasing items you don’t need.

•   Buy store brands: In many cases, store-brand items cost much less than brand-name items. The quality for generic items may also be similar.

•   Use coupons: Though it may not seem like it’ll make a huge difference, using coupons or grocery store rebates can help make every cent count. Be sure to do some comparison shopping before you hit the checkout counter. Even with discounts, you may still come out ahead with generic or store-brand versions.

•   Embrace meal planning: Making plans can help you estimate your food costs for the week and ensure you only purchase items you need.

•   Do a spending audit regularly: Tally up how much you’ve spent and what you’ve spent it on. Look for places to cut back on spending, such as purchasing pricey ingredients that can only be used once.

Recommended: Does Buying in Bulk Save Money?

How to Budget for Restaurants and Dining Out

Eating out is a luxury, but it can also be done on a budget. Consider the following tips the next time you’re considering a night out on the town:

•   Decide how many times a month you want to eat out: Knowing approximately where and how many times you go out in a given month will help you make a realistic budget.

•   Consider drinking only water: While it’s tempting to order fancy drinks when you’re out, sticking with water can help you and your family save money.

•   Look for weekly specials or discounts: In an attempt to earn your business, many restaurants will offer specials, such as free kids meals or discounted menu items. These deals usually happen on a weekday, though on occasion you may find discounts during restaurants’ busier times as well.

•   Budget for tipping: Paying for your meal isn’t the only cost involved in dining out. Make sure to leave enough room so you can tip your server or bartender.

Recommended: Examining the Price of Eating at Home vs Eating Out

Tips for Getting Help if You Can’t Afford to Buy Groceries

Sometimes, budgeting will only get you so far. If you need help with food and other necessities, there are some organizations and agencies you may be able to turn to for temporary help:

•   Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): If you can meet the program’s eligibility requirements, the government-run program will give you a monthly stipend to spend on food for you and your family.

•   Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): The WIC program is for eligible pregnant women or mothers who have infants up to age 5 who are at risk of not receiving enough nutrients. Note that you’ll need to apply for this government-funded program.

•   USDA National Hunger Hotline: If you’re facing food insecurity, you can call the hotline daily from 7am to 10pm ET to find resources like local meal sites or food banks.

•   Local food pantries: Many religious organizations, colleges, and other local nonprofits may have food pantries. Call ahead to see when you can receive assistance.

💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

The Takeaway

Budgeting for grocery costs isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort. It may be worth considering looking at average costs in your area as a guideline for how much to budget and looking at ways to save on food to ensure you’re not spending more than you can afford to. You may also want to consider using online tools like a money tracker app so you can maximize every dollar you make.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What is a reasonable grocery budget?

Most experts recommend budgeting around 10% of your income to food costs.

How much should a family of four spend on groceries?

Depending on where you live, the average cost of groceries for a family of four can average from $1,044.70 to $1,568.10, according to data from USDA.

How much does an average family spend on groceries?

The average family spends about 11.3% on groceries, according to USDA data.

Photo credit: iStock/Prostock-Studio

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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The average cost of an oil change varies depending on where you live. The type of oil used is another factor, with varieties including conventional, synthetic, and semi-synthetic. For basic service with conventional oil and no extra quarts, you can count on paying between $35 and $75, according to Kelley Blue Book.

We’ll discuss the ins and outs of oil changes, including how often you should get it done, the benefits to your vehicle and the environment, and how to save money on your next oil change.

How Much Does an Oil Change Cost on Average?

The cost of an oil change depends on several things:

•   Vehicle’s year, make, and model

•   DIY vs. service station

•   Geographic location

•   Service provider

•   Type of oil: conventional, synthetic, or synthetic blend

•   Add-on services like filter changes and tire rotation

You’ll pay about $35 for basic service with no extra quarts. Top service with extra quarts will run about $75. This is likely to be with conventional oil.

With semi-synthetic oil, the average cost will be higher: $40-$100. And with fully synthetic oil, the price inches up to $65-$125. Some luxury vehicles require special filters, which can cost $260 or more.

The average cost of an oil change at a dealership is generally around $100; this typically includes a filter change. Another popular add-on is tire rotation, which can tack on $20-$50. It’s possible that a dealership or auto repair shop will offer a small discount for more than one service.

In case you were wondering, oil changes are not covered by car insurance because they’re considered a regular part of car maintenance. Learn more in our Insurance Tips for First-time Drivers.


💡 Quick Tip: Saving money on your fixed costs isn’t always easy. One exception is auto insurance. Shopping around for a better deal really can pay off.

Average Cost of Oil Change by Provider

The table below lists the price of the cheapest oil change option at a number of national service providers. Differences in price are often due to the quality of oil used, and the speed and scope of the service.

Recommended: How to Lower Your Car Insurance

The Difference Between Synthetic and Conventional Oil

Conventional oil is crude oil that’s been refined, while synthetic is made from chemical compounds. Synthetic oil has fewer impurities and is designed to protect car engines.

Conventional oil needs changing more often and can have problems flowing in extreme temperatures. Synthetic oil can be used for longer periods and flows in a wider range of temperatures. Although there are clear advantages to synthetic oil, there’s one disadvantage: It costs more.

Check your owner’s manual to see what type and grade are recommended for your vehicle’s engine. How much your car is worth may factor into your choice of which oil to use.

How Often Should You Get an Oil Change?

Your owner’s manual should also list how often to change the oil in your specific vehicle. In general, conventional motor oil needs to be changed after about 5,000 miles of driving. Synthetic oil can go as long as 10,000 miles. If you use semi-synthetic motor oil (a blend of the two), you may get 8,000 miles of usage before it needs to be changed.

Did you know you should also be evaluating your insurance on a regular basis? Annual personal insurance planning sessions can help your coverage keep up with important life changes.

Benefits of Getting Your Oil Changed

The benefits of regular oil changes are significant. They include:

•   Cleaner engine. When you change the oil, you’re also getting rid of the dirt, debris, and contaminants in the old oil.

•   More efficient engine. When the engine is clean and the oil is new, the engine has better lubrication and works more efficiently. This helps boost performance and maximizes the life of the engine.

•   Better gas mileage. A more efficient engine will help your car get better gas mileage and save you money on fuel.

•   Environmental benefits. When oil stays in your vehicle for too long, it starts to degrade. At this point, it releases potentially toxic hydrocarbons.

•   Prevents overheating. Engine components generate heat, especially when you’re driving at faster speeds. When the engine is freshly and appropriately lubricated with motor oil, this lowers friction and reduces the risk of overheating.

How to Lower the Cost of Oil Changes

As noted above, timely oil changes can reduce fuel costs. To save money on oil changes, you can shop around for the best prices in auto shops or do it yourself.
Before your first DIY oil change, you may need to invest in a few supplies. These include a wrench to remove the drain plug (your owner’s manual should list what size and type), an oil filter wrench, an oil pan, latex gloves, and perhaps a jack.

You can save $25 to $75 per oil change on average, depending on the oil and filter you use. So, once you’ve saved enough to “pay back” what you invested in the right tools, you can enjoy savings each time you change your own oil. Check out more tips for saving on car maintenance costs.


💡 Quick Tip: If your car is paid off and worth only a few thousand dollars, consider updating your car insurance: You might choose to opt out of collision coverage and double down on liability.

The Takeaway

The average cost of a basic oil change with conventional oil is $35, but you can find low-cost oil changes for as little as $19. Higher prices may indicate a better quality of oil, add-ons like filter replacement, or faster service. Your vehicle’s owner manual will recommend a type and grade of oil. Conventional oil is typically cheapest, followed by semi-synthetic, and then fully synthetic. Synthetic oils allow you to go longer between oil changes — 10,000 miles compared to 5,000 with conventional. To save the most money on your oil change, don’t be afraid to DIY.

When you’re ready to shop for auto insurance, SoFi can help. Our online auto insurance comparison tool lets you see quotes from a network of top insurance providers within minutes, saving you time and hassle.

FAQ

Is $100 a lot for an oil change?

It depends on where you live, the type of oil used, your vehicle, and add-ons such as filter changes and tire rotation. The average cost of a basic oil change is $35, with prices as low as $19. Ask your service provider for a breakdown of what goes into that $100 oil change.

Should I get my tires rotated when I get an oil change?

Consumer Reports recommends rotating your tires every 5,000-8,000 miles. Tires protect you on the road, so this maintenance task shouldn’t be overlooked. Depending on the kind of oil you use and your owner manual’s recommendation, you may want to have your oil changed every 5,000-10,000 miles. If you can combine your oil change schedule with your tire rotation schedule, you might save a bit of money.

How much do oil changes cost in 2024?

The overall average with conventional oil and no other services provided is somewhere about $35. No-frills service with conventional oil starts at $19. You’ll pay for more synthetic oil and add-ons like filter replacement.

Photo credit: iStock/Phynart Studio

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