Labels Overview

Labels are a second layer of organization. They help you track a theme across categories, accounts, or transactions without changing your budget structure.

In Common Cents, labels are optional. You can turn them on in Settings > Features. Once enabled, you can manage label names in the Labels workspace and use those labels in transaction details, transfers, and account-level labeled balances.

Start here if #

• you want to track something that cuts across multiple categories
• you need a second organizing layer without turning labels into budget categories
• you want to review labeled balances and labeled activity across accounts

In this section #

• Manage Labels
• Labeling Money

What labels do well #

• They group related activity across different categories or accounts.
• They help you answer cross-cutting questions like travel, reimbursable spending, side projects, or work expenses.
• They let you review label balances and label activity without redesigning your category structure.

What labels do not replace #

Categories still tell Common Cents what the money is for. Labels do not replace categories, debt setup, or budget structure.

If the distinction changes how the money should be budgeted, it belongs in categories first. Use labels when the distinction is about tracking, grouping, or reviewing activity across that existing structure.