U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

.

Consumer Expenditure

Surveys

Information

Booklet

Economics and Statistics Administration

Diary Survey

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

USCENSUSBUREAU
2

3

4

5

6–8

Hispanic Origin

Race

Asian Origin 

Education

Recall Questions

CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Vending Machines

Alcoholic Beverages

Tobacco Purchases

Occupations

Income

13–15

16–17

18

19

20

21

9

10–12

Post Diary Survey Assessment Questions

Diary Survey Checks 

2005 Calendar

2006 Calendar

2007 Calendar

Privacy Act Statement and Introduction

CARD A

CARD B

CARD C
2 – Mexican-American

3 – Chicano

4 – Puerto Rican

5 – Cuban

6 – Cuban-American

7 – Central or South American

8 – Other 

CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 2
1 – White

2 – Black or African American

3 – American Indian or Alaska Native

4 – Asian

CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 3

5 – Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
– Chinese

– Filipino

– Japanese

– Korean

– Vietnamese

– Asian Indian

– Other

CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 4

1

2

3

4

5

6

7
CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 5

– 1st grade through 11th grade

– 12th grade NO DIPLOMA

– HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE — DIPLOMA, or the

equivalent

– Some college but no degree 

– Associate degree in college — Occupational

program

– Associate degree in college — Academic program

– Bachelor’s degree (ex: BA, AB, BS)

– Master’s degree (ex: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW,

MBA)

– Professional School Degree (ex: MD, DDS, DVM,

LLB, JD)

– Doctorate degree (ex: PhD, EdD)

1–11

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46
CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 6

• beverage from soda machine

Examples of vending machine purchases:

• candy bar from a snack machine
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 7

• glass of wine with dinner

Examples of alcoholic beverages

purchased at full-service restaurants:

• beer at a pub

• cocktails at a bar
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 8

• cigarettes

Examples of tobacco purchases

• pipes

• cigars

• chewing tobacco
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 9

registered nurse

computer systems analyst

engineer

accountant

social worker

physician

computer programmer

lawyer

clergy

cashier

motor vehicle salesperson

— SALES, RETAIL

commodity salesperson

door to door salesperson

apparel salesperson

mining sales representative

financial services

manufacturing sales representative

real estate salesperson

wholesale sales representative

insurance salesperson

health technician

drafting

practical nurse

electronic technician

clinical laboratory technician

— TECHNICIAN

secretary

computer assistant

— ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, INCLUDING CLERICAL

bookkeeper

receptionist

clerk

typist

teacher

TEACHER

guidance counselor

private guard

— PROTECTIVE SERVICE

police officer firefighter

nanny

— PRIVATE HOUSEHOLD SERVICE

household worker

janitor

food preparer

child care worker

cook

food counter/fountain worker

hairstylist

waiter/waitress

orderly

maid/houseman

— OTHER SERVICE

machine operator

— MACHINE OPERATOR, ASSEMBLER, INSPECTOR

assembler inspector

truck driver

— TRANSPORTATION OPERATOR

bus driver tractor operator

stock handler

construction laborer

— HANDLER, HELPER, LABORER

freight handler

packager

material handler

automobile mechanic

sheet metal worker

— MECHANIC, REPAIRER, PRECISION PRODUCTION

machine repairer

meat cutter

machinist

tailor

carpenter

plumber

— CONSTRUCTION, MINING

electrician

mining worker

painter

farmer

— FARMING

farm worker

forestry worker

animal caretaker

— FORESTRY, FISHING, GROUNDSKEEPING

fisher groundskeeper

armed forces

— ARMED FORCES

— PROFESSIONAL

— SALES, BUSINESS GOODS AND SERVICES

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11
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 10

Loss

–$0–$4,999

–$5,000–$9,999

–$10,000–$14,999

–$15,000–$19,999

–$20,000–$29,999

–$30,000–$39,999

–$40,000–$49,999

–$50,000–$69,999

–$70,000–$89,999

–$90,000–$119,999

–$120,000 and over

0

1

2

3

5

6

4

7

8

9

10

11
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 11

Less than $300

–$300–$399

–$400–$499

–$500–$599

–$600–$699

–$700–$799

–$800–$899

–$900–$999

–$1,000–$1,499

–$1,500and over

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 12

Loss

–$0–$999

–$1,000–$1,999

–$2,000–$2,999

–$3,000–$3,999

–$4,000–$4,999

–$5,000–$9,999

–$10,000–$14,999

–$15,000–$19,999

–$20,000 –$29,999

–$30,000–$39,999

–$40,000–$49,999

–$50,000and over

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

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12

0
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

– Very Easy

– Easy

– Difficult

– Very Difficult

Page 13

1

2

3

4
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

– As soon as a purchase was made during the day

– At the end of the day when a purchase was made

– A day or so after a purchase was made

– At the end of the week

Page 14

1

2

3

4
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

– 30 minutes or less

– 31 – 60 minutes

– 61 – 90 minutes (1-1/2 hours)

– 91 minutes or more

Page 15

2

1

3

4
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 16

entries have as much detail as possible. The following are EXAMPLES of

information that is often omitted.

I. CONTENT CHECKS

1. All entries should be clearly readable. If there is an entry which is not, rewrite it.

Entries that contain brand names, local names or acronyms should be clarified and

rewritten.

2. If the respondent reports no expenditures for a day, mark the NONE box at the

bottom of the page.

3. Be sure there is an amount entered in the total cost column for every item entry in

the diary and that the amount entered is reasonable. If an amount is unusually high

or low, confirm it with the respondent. Whenever possible, a single cost for each item

is required. Investigate any combined expense to determine if individual costs can be

identified.

4. In Part 1, Food and Drinks Away From Home, be sure that all the checkboxes are

appropriately marked. If an alcohol checkbox is marked, indicating that alcoholic

beverages were purchased, there should also be an amount entered in the last

column. There should always be an amount entered in the total cost column.

5. In Part 2, Food and Drinks for Home Consumption, be sure a checkbox indicating

whether the food is fresh, frozen, etc. is marked.

6. In Part 3, Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry, and Accessories, be sure the checkboxes for

gender and age are marked.

II. EXPENDITURE DETAIL CHECKS

FOOD AND DRINKS AWAY FROM HOME

MEALS – Check the type of meal (lunch, breakfast, dinner, snack/other) and the

type of vendor. If alcohol is included, make sure the type is specified in the

checkboxes and the cost is recorded.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – If the purchase is exclusively alcohol, make sure

the type is specified and that the total cost and the alcohol cost are the same.

Both cost entries must be recorded.

7. In Part 4, All Other Products, Services, and Expenses, be sure there is an entry in

the last column to indicate if the item was purchased for someone not on your list.
CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 17

BREAD – Specify if white, whole wheat, rye, pumpernickel, etc. 

BAKERY PRODUCTS – Specify type such as cupcakes, apple pie, etc. 

BEEF – Specify the cut of beef and describe, such as ground beef, prime rib, etc. 

PORK – Specify the cut and describe, such as pork loin roast, whole ham, etc. 

POULTRY – Specify whether it is chicken, turkey, or other 

CHICKEN – Specify if whole or parts, such as chicken legs, chicken wings, etc. 

JUICE, BEVERAGE – Specify type such as orange juice, fruit punch, etc. 

SOFT DRINKS – Specify if cola or other type; if not cola, specify if carbonated or noncarbonated 

COFFEE – Specify if instant or ground 

OTHER FOOD – Give a complete description, such as boxed scalloped potatoes

CLOTHING, SHOES, JEWELRY, AND ACCESSORIES

CLOTHING – Specify the type of clothing and give a description of the item 

SHOES – If sport shoes, specify sport such as football cleats, ice skates, etc. 

JEWELRY – Specify the type of jewelry, such as watches, etc.

ALL OTHER PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND EXPENSES

MEDICINE – Specify if prescription or nonprescription

DOCTOR BILLS – Specify type of doctor, such as dentist, internist, etc.

SOAP – Specify hand soap or laundry soap

LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANING – Specify if coin operated or not coin operated; specify whether

household item (such as drapes) or apparel

TABLEWARE – Specify type, such as china, flatware, silver service pieces, etc.

DISHWASHER – Specify whether it is portable or built-in

FURNITURE – Specify type such as kitchen chair, living room chair, etc.

TOOLS – Specify if power or hand tool, such as power saw, etc.

ALBUM – Specify photo album or record album

GAS – Specify if gasoline or household fuel. If household fuel, indicate whether piped or bottled

VEHICLE – Specify new or used and type of vehicle purchased

VEHICLE REGISTRATION – Specify state or local

VEHICLE REPAIR – Specify type of repair done such as brake work other than brake

adjustment, exhaust system repair

VEHICLE SERVICE – Specify the type of service such as oil change, brake adjustment, etc.

BUS, TRAIN – Specify intercity or intracity fare

TUITION – Specify high school, college, etc.

BOOKS – Specify whether it was part of a book club, a school book, or a non-school book. If the

purchase was for school, then specify whether it was college, high school, or other.
CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 18

AUGUST

MAY

OCTOBER

SMTWT F S

7

14

21

28

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

31

4

11

18

25

5

12

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1

8

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29

6

13

20

27

SEPTEMBER

SMTWT F S

7

14

21

28

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

31

4

11

18

25

5

12

19

26

6

13

20

27

1

8

15

22

29

FEBRUARY

NOVEMBER

APRIL

JUNE

SMTWT F S

7

14

21

28

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

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24

31

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SMTWT F S

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SMTWT F S

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SMTWT F S

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MARCH

SMTWT F S

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DECEMBER

SMTWT F S

7

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2

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CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 19

SEPTEMBER

FEBRUARY

JUNE

NOVEMBER

SMTWT F S

7

14

21

28

2

9

16

23

3

10

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24

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MAY

SMTWT F S

7

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2

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MARCH

APRIL

AUGUST

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

SMTWT F S

7

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21

28

2

9

16

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30

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10

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SMTWT F S

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1

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SMTWT F S

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SMTWT F S

SMTWT F S

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CE-805 (1-1-2005) Page 20

AUGUST

MAY

OCTOBER

SMTWT F S

7

14

21

28

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

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24

31

4

11

18

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5

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27

SEPTEMBER

SMTWT F S

7

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2

9

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30

3

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FEBRUARY

NOVEMBER

APRIL

JUNE

SMTWT F S

7

14

21

28

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

4

11

18

25

5

12

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6

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1

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SMTWT F S

SMTWT F S

7

14

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2

9

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30

3

10

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SMTWT F S

SMTWT F S

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MARCH

SMTWT F S

7

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2

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DECEMBER

SMTWT F S

7

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CE-805 (1-1-2005)

Page 21

of Labor under title 29, United States Code. The surveys’ purpose

is to obtain information on what Americans are purchasing in

order to update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). All survey

information will be used for statistical purposes only.

Any information you provide for this survey is confidential, by law,

under title 13, United States Code. Participation in this survey is

voluntary and there are no penalties for refusing to answer any

question(s). However, your cooperation is extremely important to

help insure the completeness and accuracy of these data.

"Good morning. I am (your name) from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Here is my identification card. We are conducting a Consumer

Expenditure Survey for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

I have some questions I would like to ask you. Did you receive a

letter saying someone would call on you?"

INTRODUCTION