Consumer

Expenditure

Surveys 

Diary Survey

Information Booklet

CE-805

(1-1-2011)

U S C E N S U S B U R E A U

Helping You Make Informed Decisions

Page 1 CE-805 (1-1-2011) 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Hispanic Origin 2 

Race 2 

Asian Origin 2 

Education 3 

Occupations 4 

Income 5-7 

 CARD A 5 

 CARD B 6 

 CARD C 7 

Diary Survey Checks 8-9 

2011 Calendar 10 

2012 Calendar 11 

2013 Calendar 12 

Privacy Act Statement 13 
CE-805 (1-1-2011) Page 2

Hispanic Origin 

1. Mexican 

2. Mexican-American 

3. Chicano 

4. Puerto Rican 

5. Cuban 

 Race 

(Please choose one or more)

1. White 

2. Black or African American 

3. American Indian or Alaska Native 

4. Asian 

5. Native Hawaiian 

6. Guamanian or Chamorro 

7. Samoan 

8. Other Pacific Islander 

 Asian Origin 

1. Chinese 

2. Filipino 

3. Japanese 

4. Korean 

5. Vietnamese 

6. Asian Indian 
Page 3 CE-805 (1-1-2011) 

0. Never attended, preschool, kindergarten 

1 – 11. 1st grade through 11th grade 

38. 12th grade, no diploma 

39. High school graduate – high school diploma, or 

the equivalent (For example: GED) 

40. Some college but no degree 

41. Associate degree in college – Occupational/ 

Vocational 

42. Associate degree in college – Academic program 

43. Bachelor’s degree (For example: BA, AB, BS) 

44. Master’s degree (For example: MA, MS, MEng, 

MEd, MSW, MBA) 

45. Professional School Degree (For example: MD, 

DDS, DVM, LLB, JD) 

46. Doctorate degree (For example: PhD, EdD) 

Education
CE-805 (1-1-2011) Page 4

1. Administrator, Manager 

administrator manager funeral director 

2. Teacher 

teacher guidance counselor 

3. Professional 

registered nurse accountant physician social worker computer systems 

lawyer engineer clergy computer programmer analyst 

4. Administrative Support, including Clerical 

secretary bookkeeper clerk 

receptionist computer assistant typist 

5. Sales, Retail 

cashier commodity salesperson door to door salesperson 

apparel salesperson motor vehicle salesperson 

6. Sales, Business Goods and Services 

mining sales representative real estate salesperson 

financial services wholesale sales representative 

manufacturing sales representative insurance salesperson 

7. Technician 

health technician practical nurse drafting clinical laboratory technician 

electronic technician 

8. Protective Service 

private guard police officer firefighter 

9. Private Household Service 

nanny household worker 

10. Other Service (except private household) 

janitor cook waiter/waitress food preparer food counter/fountain 

child care worker hairstylist maid/houseman orderly worker 

11. Machine Operator, Assembler, Inspector 

machine operator assembler inspector 

12. Transportation Operator 

truck driver bus driver tractor operator taxi driver 

13. Handler, Helper, Laborer 

stock handler freight handler material handler packager construction laborer 

14. Mechanic or Repairer, Precision Production 

automobile 

mechanic 

machine repairer machinist meat cutter sheet metal worker 

15. Construction, Mining 

carpenter electrician painter plumber mining worker 

16. Farming 

farmer farm worker 

17. Forestry, Fishing, Groundskeeping 

forestry worker fisher groundskeeper animal caretaker 

18. Armed Forces 

OCCUPATIONS 
Page 5 CE-805 (1-1-2011) 

0. Loss 

1. $ 0 – $ 4,999 

2. $ 5,000 – $ 9,999 

3. $ 10,000 – $ 14,999 

4. $ 15,000 – $ 19,999 

5. $ 20,000 – $ 29,999 

6. $ 30,000 – $ 39,999 

7. $ 40,000 – $ 49,999 

8. $ 50,000 – $ 69,999 

9. $ 70,000 – $ 89,999 

10. $ 90,000 – $ 119,999 

11. $ 120,000 and over 

INCOME - CARD A
CE-805 (1-1-2011) Page 6

0. Less than $300 

1. $ 300 – $ 399 

2. $ 400 – $ 499 

3. $ 500 – $ 599 

4. $ 600 – $ 699 

5. $ 700 – $ 799 

6. $ 800 – $ 899 

7. $ 900 – $ 999 

8. $ 1,000 – $ 1,499 

9. $ 1,500 and over 

INCOME - CARD B
Page 7 CE-805 (1-1-2011) 

0. Loss 

1. $ 0 – $ 999 

2. $ 1,000 – $ 1,999 

3. $ 2,000 – $ 2,999 

4. $ 3,000 – $ 3,999 

5. $ 4,000 – $ 4,999 

6. $ 5,000 – $ 9,999 

7. $ 10,000 – $ 14,999 

8. $ 15,000 – $ 19,999 

9. $ 20,000 – $ 29,999 

10. $ 30,000 – $ 39,999 

11. $ 40,000 – $ 49,999 

12. $ 50,000 and over 

INCOME - CARD C
CE-805 (1-1-2011) Page 8

When reviewing the Diary, check each page in the form. Be sure that ALL 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 check box 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. 

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.

DIARY SURVEY CHECKS
Page 9 CE-805 (1-1-2011) 

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. 

FOOD AND DRINKS FOR HOME CONSUMPTION 

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 if 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 an oil change, brake adjustment, etc. 

BUS, TRAIN - Specify intercity or intracity fare 

TUITION - Specify high school, college, etc. 

BOOKS - Specify whether it was a 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.

DIARY SURVEY CHECKS (continued)
CE-805 (1-1-2011) Page 10

CALENDAR 

2011 

JANUARY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 

JULY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

31 

FEBRUARY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 

AUGUST 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

MARCH 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 

SEPTEMBER

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 

 

APRIL 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

OCTOBER 

S M T W T F S 

 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30

MAY 

S M T W T F S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 

NOVEMBER

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 

 

JUNE 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 

DECEMBER

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 

 
Page 11 CE-805 (1-1-2011) 

CALENDAR 

2012 

JANUARY 

S M T W T F S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 

JULY 

S M T W T F S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 

FEBRUARY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 

AUGUST 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 30 31 

MARCH 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SEPTEMBER

S M T W T F S 

 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 

APRIL 

S M T W T F S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 

OCTOBER 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

MAY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 

NOVEMBER

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 

JUNE 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DECEMBER

S M T W T F S 

 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 31 
CE-805 (1-1-2011) Page 12

CALENDAR 

2013 

JANUARY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 

JULY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

FEBRUARY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 18 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 

AUGUST 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 

MARCH 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 

SEPTEMBER

S M T W T F S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 

APRIL 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 

OCTOBER 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

MAY 

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31 

NOVEMBER

S M T W T F S 

 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

JUNE 

S M T W T F S 

 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 

DECEMBER

S M T W T F S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 

 
Page 13 CE-805 (1-1-2011) 

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT 

The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting the Consumer Expenditure Surveys for the 

Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor under Title 29, United States 

Code. The survey’s 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 ensure the completeness and accuracy of these data. 

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau