The latest statistics reveal the following about how most Americans spend their money:
From table 7-13 Consumer Expenditures – Handbook U.S. labor Statistics 2003 edition - Reference person age 45-54
Average Income before Taxes: $59,351
Average expenditures $49,111
Food at home: $3,718
Food away from home: $2,722
Alcoholic Beverages: $412
Housing: $14,662
**Household furnishings and equipment: $2,078
Apparel and Services: $2,391
Transportation: $9,090
Health care:$2,231
Entertainment: $2,378
Personal Care products and Services: $688
Reading: $203
Education: $1,083
Tobacco Products and Smoking Supplies: $403
Misc.: $1,130
Personal; Insurance and Pension: $6,631
Cash Contributions: $1,670
From table 7-12 Consumer Expenditures Handbook U.S. Labor statistics 2003 edition - Reference person age 35-44:
Average income: $55,026 before taxes taken out (gross)
Average annual expenditures: $46,786
Food at home: $3,666
Food away from home $2,777 (eating out)
Alcoholic Beverages: $458.00
Housing: $14,836
**Household furnishing included at $1,882
Apparel and services $2,394
Transportation: $8,671
Health care; $1,757
Entertainment: $2,564
Personal care products: $670.00
Reading Material: $165.00
Education: $602
Tobacco Products and smoking supplies $424
Misc.: $982
Personal Insurance and pensions: 5,780
Cash Contributions $1,040
Table 7-11 Consumer Expenditures - Handbook U.S. Labor statistics 2003 Edition - Reference person age 25-34
Average Income before taxes: $43,966
Average Annual expenditures: $40,001
Food at home: $3,020
Food away from home: $2,466
Alcoholic Beverages: $448
Housing $13,084
**Household furnishing $1,599
Apparel and services: $2,217
Transportation: $7,982
Health Care$1,265
Entertainment: $1,959
Personal Care Products and Services: $578
Reading Material: $126
Education: $544
Tobacco Products and Smoking Supplies: $309
Misc.: $834.00
Personal Insurance and Pensions: $4,423
Cash Contributions: $746