Selected folder/file backups

I am being told I need more storage for backup.  I have no interest in purchasing more cloud storage for backup.  I just want to regularly back up important documents, files, etc.  Norton seems to NOT have the option to back up specific folders.  It only backs up "file types" based on their extension.  For example "pictures" will backup every file it finds that is a picture file extension, like jpeg, tiff, png, pdf, wepd, bmp, etc that it find ANYWHERE on the drive selected.  Many programs have images included with it's software.  Those don't need backing up.  And apparently the standard answer to backing up specific folders is to use the "include or exclude" folders.  WHY should be have exclude folders to avoid every file of a specific type?  That would take forever to identify every folder say in the program folders or download folders to set up a select list of folders to back up.  Why not back up based on selected folders rather than file type?