Consumer expenditures refer to the money that individuals and households spend on goods and services. These expenditures can include a wide range of purchases, such as groceries, clothing, housing, transportation, healthcare, entertainment, and more.
Here is a list of some of the common categories of consumer expenditures:
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Housing: This category includes rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and home repairs.
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Transportation: This includes the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle, such as car payments, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
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Food: This category includes both groceries and dining out expenses.
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Healthcare: This category includes medical care, prescription drugs, and health insurance premiums.
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Personal insurance and pensions: This includes payments for life insurance, disability insurance, and contributions to retirement accounts.
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Education: This includes the cost of tuition, books, and supplies.
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Entertainment: This category includes expenses related to leisure activities, such as movies, concerts, sporting events, and vacations.
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Apparel and services: This includes the cost of clothing, shoes, and dry cleaning services.
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Miscellaneous: This category includes a wide range of expenses, such as personal care products, household supplies, and charitable donations.
It is important to note that these categories may vary depending on the source of the data and the specific classification used. Additionally, consumer expenditures can be influenced by a variety of factors, including changes in the economy, demographic shifts, and technological advancements.
The major categories of consumer expenditures and the percentage of total expenses they typically represent:
Consumer Expenditures |
Percentage of Total Expenses |
Housing |
33.3% |
Transportation |
15.8% |
Food |
12.6% |
Healthcare |
8.0% |
Personal insurance and pensions |
7.8% |
Entertainment |
5.4% |
Apparel and services |
3.4% |
Education |
2.3% |
Miscellaneous |
11.4% |
It's important to note that these percentages may vary depending on the source of the data and the specific population being analyzed. However, this table provides a general overview of the relative importance of each major category of consumer expenditures in the typical household budget.
Business opportunities in the housing industry:
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Real estate investing: Buying and selling properties for a profit, either through renovations or strategic buying and selling.
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Property management: Managing rental properties for landlords and handling tasks such as tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance.
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Home inspection services: Providing inspection services for homebuyers to assess the condition of a property before purchase.
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Real estate brokerage: Working as a licensed real estate agent or broker, assisting buyers and sellers in the buying and selling process of properties.
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Home renovation and remodeling: Providing services to homeowners for improving and updating their properties, such as kitchen and bathroom remodels, additions, and other renovations.
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Home cleaning and maintenance: Offering regular cleaning and maintenance services to homeowners, such as lawn care, HVAC maintenance, and cleaning services.
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Home security services: Providing security services for homeowners, such as alarm systems and security cameras.
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Home staging: Providing staging services to help homeowners sell their properties more quickly and for a higher price.
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Green home consulting: Consulting services for homeowners on how to make their homes more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
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Home organization and storage solutions: Providing organizing and storage solutions to homeowners, such as closet organization systems, storage units, and garage organization.
These are just a few examples of the many business opportunities in the housing industry. The industry is vast and provides a range of opportunities for businesses of all sizes and types.
Businesses related to housing:
- Real estate agencies and brokerages
- Property management companies
- Home building and construction companies
- Architecture and design firms
- Home renovation and remodeling businesses
- Home inspection and appraisal services
- Home cleaning and maintenance services
- Home staging companies
- Real estate investment firms
- Mortgage and financing companies
- Property insurance providers
- Green building and sustainability consulting firms
- Home security companies
- Moving and storage companies
- Home automation and smart home technology businesses
- Real estate photography and videography services
- Home decor and furniture stores
- Landscaping and outdoor living companies
- Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- Vacation rental companies.
Businesses related to transportation:
- Car dealerships and automobile manufacturers
- Auto parts and accessories stores
- Car rental companies
- Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft
- Taxi and limousine services
- Public transportation providers (e.g., buses, trains, subways)
- Delivery and courier services
- Freight and logistics companies
- Transportation infrastructure developers and contractors
- Gas stations and fuel providers
- Automotive repair and maintenance businesses
- Parking lot and garage management companies
- Traffic control and management companies
- Car wash and detailing businesses
- Bike and scooter sharing companies
- Aerospace and aviation companies
- Freight forwarders and shipping agents
- Vehicle leasing and financing companies
- Transportation safety and security consulting firms
- Electric vehicle charging station providers.
Businesses related to food:
- Restaurants and food service establishments
- Food trucks and mobile food vendors
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Specialty food stores (e.g., health food stores, cheese shops)
- Catering companies and event planners
- Food delivery services (e.g., Grubhub, DoorDash)
- Meal kit and food subscription services
- Food manufacturing and processing companies
- Beverage producers (e.g., soft drinks, juices, beer, wine)
- Food packaging and labeling companies
- Food safety and quality control consulting firms
- Agricultural and farming businesses
- Food import and export companies
- Bakery and pastry shops
- Coffee shops and cafes
- Ice cream and dessert shops
- Food education and cooking schools
- Food waste reduction and composting businesses
- Nutritional supplement and vitamin stores
- Health and wellness food businesses (e.g., smoothie shops, organic food stores).
Businesses related to healthcare:
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Clinics and doctor's offices
- Health insurance providers
- Pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers
- Medical supply and equipment companies
- Health and wellness retailers (e.g., CVS, Walgreens)
- Home healthcare providers
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Mental health services and counseling businesses
- Dental practices and orthodontic clinics
- Chiropractic clinics and physical therapy practices
- Medical billing and coding companies
- Telemedicine and virtual healthcare providers
- Medical research and development firms
- Healthcare consulting and management companies
- Alternative medicine practices (e.g., acupuncture, herbal remedies)
- Health and fitness businesses (e.g., gyms, personal trainers)
- Medical waste management companies
- Healthcare technology companies (e.g., electronic health records, medical imaging)
- Health education and training businesses.
The categories of consumer expenditures and the percentage of total expense, along with subcategories for each category:
Category |
Percentage of Total Expense |
Subcategories |
Housing |
33.1% |
Rent/mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities, household maintenance and repairs, furniture and appliances |
Transportation |
15.9% |
Vehicle purchase/lease, gasoline and motor oil, vehicle insurance, public transportation, vehicle maintenance |
Food |
12.6% |
Groceries, dining out, alcoholic beverages |
Personal insurance/pensions |
11.3% |
Social Security contributions, private pension plans, life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance |
Healthcare |
8.0% |
Health insurance premiums, medical services and supplies, prescription drugs, medical insurance deductibles |
Entertainment |
5.7% |
Cable and satellite TV, movie and theater admissions, recreational vehicles and equipment, pet-related expenses |
Cash contributions |
3.1% |
Contributions to religious, educational, and other nonprofit organizations, child support and alimony payments |
Apparel and services |
3.0% |
Clothing, footwear, jewelry, laundry and dry-cleaning services, apparel rental |
Education |
2.4% |
Tuition, books, supplies, other school fees |
All other |
5.9% |
Personal care products and services, tobacco products, reading materials, hobbies, pets, miscellaneous expenses |
Note that the subcategories listed in this table are not exhaustive and may vary depending on individual spending patterns and geographic location.
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