PRESENTED BY: 

NORC at the 

University of Chicago 

Micah Sjoblom and Lisa Lee 

55 East Monroe Street

30th Floor 

Chicago, IL 60603 

(312) 759-4000 

(312) 759-4004 

OCTOBER 23, 2012

FINAL REPORT

Records Information and Feasibility of 

Use Study

PRESENTED TO:

Bureau of Labor Statistics 

2 Massachusetts Ave NE

Washington, DC 20212 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | i 

Table of Contents 

Records Information and Feasibility of Use Study: Background and Purpose........... 2

Materials and Data Collection Process ...................................................................... 4

Feasibility Study Overview.................................................................................................. 4

Respondent Recruitment and Screening............................................................................ 4

Collection of the Records Data: Visit 1 ............................................................................... 7

Collection of the Records Data: Visit 2 ............................................................................... 9

Field Interviewers and Data Collection Protocols ............................................................. 10

Data Preparation .....................................................................................................12

Data Entry, Coding and Cleaning of the Data................................................................... 12

Adjudication and Verification the Financial Records Data................................................ 15

Data Analysis Files and Procedures ................................................................................. 18

Findings from the Feasibility Study ..........................................................................21

Qualitative Summary of Scanned Record and Diary Record Availability ......................... 21

Qualitative Summary of the Availability of CE Relevant Information ................................ 30

Qualitative Summary of the Availability of Non-CE Relevant Information ........................ 32

Qualitative Summary of the Availability of PII on Respondents’ Records ........................ 34

Respondent Debriefing Questionnaire.............................................................................. 35

Field Interviewer Debriefing Questionnaire....................................................................... 40

Field Interviewer Debriefing Session ................................................................................ 41

Effects of Interviewer and Experience on Records Collection.......................................... 44

Conclusions and Lessons Learned from the Feasibility Study ................................. 47
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | ii

Appendices

Appendix A: Recruitment Script and Screener

Appendix B: Protocol Booklet

Appendix C: Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix D: Visit 1 Consent Form

Appendix E: Diary

Appendix F: Visit 2 Consent Form

Appendix G: Receipt

Appendix H: Expenditures Database Structure

Appendix I: CE Coding Scheme

Appendix J: Coding Rules

Appendix K: Tables
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 2 

Records Information and Feasibility of Use Study: Background and 

Purpose 

The Consumer Expenditure (CE) Survey includes two parts, the Quarterly Interview Survey 

(CEQ) and the Diary Survey (CED). These surveys involve the collection of information on the 

buying habits of households in the United States. The CEQ is conducted with a panel of 

respondents every three months over five quarters. The CED is conducted with a different 

sample of households; respondents maintain a weekly diary of expenditures for two one-week 

periods. Respondents to both surveys often report expenditure information from memory, which 

may decrease the accuracy of the data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is interested in 

examining the feasibility of using respondents’ financial records, such as receipts, bills, and bank 

and credit card statements, to collect the required expenditure data. The goal of the proposed 

Records Information and Feasibility of Use Study (“Feasibility Study”) is to ascertain whether 

financial records-based data collection could provide sufficient data for the needs of the CE 

surveys. 

It is currently unknown what types of records respondents save, and what records they would be 

willing to share with an interviewer. Additionally, the type and level of information available on 

records is also unknown. This research examined what records respondents have and are willing 

to share, and whether information that is available on financial records meets the detailed needs 

of the CE and other BLS surveys. The risks of disclosure of personally identifying information 

(PII) are also examined in this research.

In the Feasibility Study, respondents were asked to save their expenditure records for a two-week 

period. The design of the study involved two visits by an interviewer to respondents’ homes. In 

the first visit, respondents were instructed on the record-keeping task. In the second visit, the 

interviewer collected the expenditure information and debriefed the respondent on the recordkeeping task.

In preparation for the Feasibility Study, NORC developed study materials, including recruitment 

and screening documents, interview protocols, respondent and interviewer debriefing 

questionnaires, procedures for collecting financial records, and a database for data entry and 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 3 

coding of the financial records data. In addition, NORC conducted a small-scale pilot study with 

five respondents and completed coding, verification, and adjudication tasks using the pilot data. 

The Feasibility Study involved data collection with 152 households. Financial records were 

collected from these households and data entered, coded, and analyzed. This report presents the 

findings from the Feasibility Study. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 4 

Materials and Data Collection Process 

Feasibility Study Overview

Respondents were recruited from pools of prospective inquiries responding to study requests 

detailed in flyers posted in targeted public areas and an online Craigslist classified posting. Each 

prospective respondent was called back by project staff and given a general description of the 

study. Those who expressed interest in participating completed a screening questionnaire. For 

those who agreed to participate, the study design required two home visits, separated by two to 

three weeks. The first visit focused on explaining the purpose of the study in greater detail, 

gaining informed consent, distributing the materials respondents would use to collect expenditure 

records, and giving instructions for respondents to follow over the record collection period. At 

the second visit, interviewers scanned the records that respondents had gathered. They also 

debriefed the respondents on their record-keeping practices and their experience with and 

attitudes towards the record-keeping process. After the completion of each second visit, 

interviewers completed a debriefing questionnaire of their own. Respondents were given 

compensation of $40 at the second visit. 

The debriefing questionnaires, diaries, and signed consent and payment forms were returned to 

NORC by the interviewers via FedEx. The electronic financial records data were transmitted via 

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) directly to NORC’s secure servers. The financial data 

were entered into a database and coded into CE categories. The CE categorization then 

underwent verification and adjudication processes. The respondent screener and the respondent 

and interviewer debriefing data were also entered. This section of the report describes the study 

procedures and materials in detail. The next section details the coding and preparation of the data 

files for analysis.

Respondent Recruitment and Screening

The sample for the Feasibility Study is a non-probability sample of adults ages 18 and over. 

Although all household members ages 14 and over were eligible to collect financial records for 

the study, only one household member was deemed the household respondent. NORC interacted 

only with this respondent. Respondents were recruited with the goal of obtaining an equal 

number in each of three categories (50 in each cell) of five respondent and household 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 5 

characteristics: household size, respondent education, annual household income, respondent 

employment status, and respondent age. During the field period, due to difficulty in recruiting 

respondents with certain characteristics, the recruitment goals for age and education were

changed to 25 in each cell for the highest and lowest categories and 100 for the middle. 

Respondents were recruited by posting flyers in public locations such as libraries and stores and 

posting a virtual classified advertisement on Craigslist. To increase participation of people in the 

hard-to-reach groups, interviewers visited senior residences to recruit older respondents and 

GED programs to recruit people with less than a high school education. All recruitment took 

place in the Chicago area.

Recruiters used a recruitment script and a set of screening questions (Appendix A) when 

speaking with prospective respondents. The recruitment script outlined the requirements for 

study respondents and explained the procedures NORC would use to preserve the confidentiality 

of respondents' personal information. If a respondent expressed interest in participating, the 

interviewer administered the items in the screener, which collected demographic information: 

sex, age, education, current work status, household income, household size, and household 

tenure (rent vs. own). At the time of recruitment, interviewers set up appointments for Visit 1. 

They also set an appointment for Visit 2 at that time to assure that respondents would make time 

in their schedules for the interviewer’s return visit.

A total of 152 respondents completed the study. The distribution of respondents across the 

recruitment categories is presented in Table 1. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 6 

Table 1: Demographic Characteristics of Feasibility Study Sample

Characteristics N % Characteristics N %

Gender Employment Status

Men 46 30.3 Unemployed 65 43.0

Women 106 69.7 Part-time 48 31.8

Full-time 38 25.2

Age (years) Missing Count (1)

18-25 47 31.3

26-60 68 45.3 Household Income

61+ 35 23.3 Less than 30,000 83 56.5

Missing Count (2) 31,000-59,000 36 24.5

60,000+ 28 19.0

Education Missing Count (5)

Less than HS 28 18.5 

HS or some college 73 48.3 Household Size 

College degree 50 33.1 1 person 44 28.9

Missing Count (1) 2 person 42 27.6

3+ persons 66 43.4

Household Tenure

Rent 96 63.2

Own 56 36.8

Note: Some percentages do not add up to 100% because of rounding. Missing excluded from 

percentages.

As Table 1 demonstrates, the 152 respondents reported the following demographic 

characteristics. Seventy percent of respondents were female and were about evenly distributed in 

the three age categories. Most respondents reported securing a high school diploma; nearly half 

of the respondents (48.3%) had graduated high school or had some college education, and 33.1% 

reported earning a college degree. For employment status, 43.0% of respondents reported being

unemployed, 31.8% reported being employed part-time and 25.2% percent reported being 

employed full-time. 

Over half of the respondents (56.5%) had an annual household income of $30,000 or less, 24.5% 

reported an annual income between $31,000 and $59,000, and 19.0% of respondents reported a 

household income over $60,000. When reporting housing tenure, 36.8% of respondents own 

their home while all other respondents reside in a rental property. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 7 

Collection of the Records Data: Visit 1

To facilitate the records collection exercise, specific interviewer protocols were established to 

describe and guide the respondent activities across two interviewer visits separated by at least 

two weeks to account for respondent record collection. The interviewer protocols for Visits 1 

and 2 were included in a single booklet (Appendix B) and interviewers were trained to facilitate 

the records gathering activity with the respondent. Interviewers began Visit 1 with an 

explanation of the study requirements, answered the respondent’s questions and secured 

informed consent for participation. Interviewers were trained on the contents of a list of 

frequently asked questions (FAQs; Appendix C) designed to supply greater detail concerning 

specific aspects of the study when requested by a respondent. The FAQ sheet covered such 

topics as background information on the Consumer Expenditure Survey and the nature and 

extent of the privacy protections respondents could expect. To simplify the complexity of the 

consent forms and reduce the burden on respondents, NORC included only summaries of the 

study and its associated privacy protections in the formal consent form and provided more indepth explanations as needed from the FAQs to respondents who asked for more information. 

Respondents then read, signed and dated the Visit 1 consent form (Appendix D) to indicate their 

agreement to participate in the study. The Visit 1 consent form outlined the procedures for the 

two interviewer visits and the record-keeping task, confidentiality information, voluntary nature 

of participation, the $40 compensation, and contact information for the Project Director and the 

NORC IRB. 

After securing consent, interviewers provided detailed instructions to respondents for the records 

collections task. Respondents were instructed to gather and keep records for all expenditures 

incurred by household members ages 14 and over for the next two weeks in addition to 

understanding the different types of records to keep. For each household, the interviewer 

provided a set of record-keeping tools: 1) a records box in which the respondent was asked to 

place receipts, bills, and statements for all expenditures for the next two weeks; 2) for each 

household member, a receipt wallet to carry with them during the day; and 3) for each household 

member, an expenditure diary for recording expenditures with no record (Appendix E). 

The records storage box included letter-sized manila file folders labeled with the name of a 

household member. Respondents were instructed to use the box for collecting records for the 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 8 

study and to file them in the correct folder for each person. The receipt wallet was a clear plastic 

zippered pouch sold as a “poly zip check envelope”; it measured 10 1⁄4” x 5 1/8”. Each 

household member ages 14 and over received a wallet labeled with his or her name. It was up to 

the household respondent to work with the other household members to collect their records. 

An individual expenditure diary was also crafted to allow respondents to capture different 

expenditures without a physically documented record. Each respondent’s expenditure diary had 

their name written on the cover. The household respondent was instructed that the diary was 

used to track purchases without a written record or for any purchases the respondent did not wish 

to provide a record. Each diary contained general instructions for its use along with an annotated 

example showing how to account for each un-receipted purchase. The interviewer showed the 

respondent what information was required for a complete diary entry and discussed the need to 

collect as many types of records as possible, including printed versions of electronic records. 

The interviewer's name and a contact phone number, and Field Manager and Project Director 

contact information, were also included in case a respondent had questions during the two-week 

study period. The diary booklet was 8 1⁄2” x 11” in size. 

At the end of Visit 1, respondents were encouraged to ask questions about anything they did not 

understand and were also asked to ensure records were kept for the expenditures of all household 

members aged 14 and over. The interviewer also confirmed the Visit 2 appointment date and 

time. 

Between one and three days after Visit 1, the interviewer called each household to remind the 

respondent about the record-keeping and to answer any questions the respondent might have 

about the process. During this call the interviewer also reminded the respondent of the date of the 

return visit. The day before the return visit, the interviewer called to confirm the second visit 

appointment and to remind the respondent that they should have their records ready at that time. 

Interviewer outreach during the record collection period was an important factor in keeping 

respondents engaged and oriented to the record collection task. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 9 

Collection of the Records Data: Visit 2

Visit 2 took place within one week after the end of the respondent’s two-week recordkeeping 

period. At Visit 2, the interviewer returned to the respondent's home at the scheduled time and, 

after reviewing the study procedures, obtained informed consent a second time (Appendix F). 

Interviewers had three options for collecting electronic copies of the financial records that 

respondents had gathered. First, they could use a scanning device (DocketPort Scanner, Model

Number SWOCR0467) to scan the paper records that the respondents had collected; these 

scanned images were stored on a secure NORC laptop computer. Second, they could use a 

camera device to take photographs of the computer screen if respondents had online records that 

had not been printed out or entered in the diary (this device stored images directly on the secure 

NORC laptop). A third option, the use of Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) to securely 

upload encrypted files directly from the respondent’s computer to NORC’s servers, was also 

considered. However, due to concern that use of the SFTP solution may require the installation 

of software on the respondent’s computer, interviewers were encouraged to use the camera as a 

primary solution to collect screen images visible on the respondent’s computer. 

In practice, the only option that was used to collect the records was the scanning device. No 

respondents had online records that required the use of the camera. If respondents used online 

records, they accounted for these by printing the records from their home computer or entered 

the items directly into the diary.

Once the scanning of financial records was completed, the interviewer returned the documents to 

the respondent. The interviewer collected the expenditure diaries. 

After the collection of financial records was completed, the interviewer administered a set of 

debriefing questions focusing on the respondent's experience with the record-collection task (part 

of the protocol booklet, Appendix B). Interviewers read the questions and recorded respondents' 

answers in the booklet. Respondents were asked about six topics: the perceived burden involved 

in keeping records; the completeness of their record-keeping; their usual payment and recordkeeping practices when not involved in the study; their use of the study materials (storage box, 

wallet, and diary); the participation of other household members, when relevant; and any privacy 

or confidentiality concerns the respondent might have about sharing records with NORC and 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 10

BLS. Respondents were asked approximately 30 questions, depending on their particular 

situation. This questionnaire ended the respondent's participation in the study; they were given 

$40 and signed a payment receipt (Appendix G). The receipt was signed and dated by both 

respondent and interviewer. 

After leaving the respondent's home, the interviewer completed an interviewer debriefing 

questionnaire of ten questions (part of the protocol booklet, Appendix B). The questionnaire 

captured interviewer impressions of the respondent's level of effort and ability to carry out the 

study procedures, along with interviewer experiences with the study procedures and equipment. 

The interviewer then uploaded electronic records to NORC’s SFTP site. Protocol booklets, 

diaries, and consent and payment forms were sent to NORC’s main office in Chicago via FedEx 

at regular intervals throughout the data collection period. 

Field Interviewers and Data Collection Protocols

A team of field interviewers was assembled in Chicago to meet the following primary objectives: 

introduce the study to screened respondents, secure informed consent, facilitate and support the 

records collection task with respondents, and secure the records information and debrief during 

the second visit. To accomplish these objectives, an NORC experienced Field Manager (FM) 

and seven NORC experienced Field Interviewers (FIs) were assigned to the project.1

 A brief 

training program was developed to ensure interviewers had more than adequate understanding of 

the protocol, the sequence to be followed and the different materials necessary to complete their 

assignment. To ensure the project could capitalize on labor from NORC experienced local 

interviewers, two waves of training were offered. 

Interviewers received examples of the materials via email for self-study review prior to training. 

The FM and two FIs participated in a telephone training session on June 24. The 90 minutes 

training session was designed to prepare interviewers for conducting Visit 1. As part of this 

training, the interviewers learned about the study purpose, sample characteristics, and overview 

of all study procedures and documents. The training detailed the procedures for Visit 1 as 

described in the interviewer protocol booklet, including consent and confidentiality 

 

1 We initially recruited eight FIs. However, after training, one of the field interviewers had a scheduling conflict and 

she did not participate in the study. We excluded her from this write-up.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 11

requirements, instruction on record-keeping and diary entries, and the types of financial records 

collected by respondents. Each trainee participated in a brief “mock” demonstration of the Visit 

1 interview. The remaining five FIs received their first training via telephone on July 12. 

For the Visit 2 training, the FM and the first two interviewers attended an in-person training 

lasting approximately 2 1⁄2 hours on July 6. The purpose of this training was to review the 

procedures for Visit 2 and walk through the process and equipment for securing respondent 

records. Interviewers received their laptops, scanners, and a configured web-camera. The 

interviewers received “hands-on” demonstration for collecting electronic records with the 

scanner device and transmitting electronic records via SFTP. In addition, they reviewed consent 

procedures and confidentiality, the procedures for records collection outlined in the interview 

protocol booklet, and the debriefing questionnaires. They also completed a mock interview of 

the second visit and received the necessary materials. The second group of five FIs completed 

the Visit 2 training on July 15. 

 

After data collection was complete, the interviewers returned for an in-person debriefing session 

on August 8. While FIs would periodically mail their completed cases to our central office, all 

remaining hard copy documents were collected during this session. We also confirmed that the 

interviewers had successfully transferred all electronic records that they had scanned and stored 

on their secure laptops to the project directory on the NORC secure network. During the 

debriefing, interviewers and research staff examined study procedures sequentially and reviewed 

all interviewer and respondent materials. The interviewers provided suggestions for improving 

the instructions within the interviewer protocol booklet and for clarifying a number of debriefing 

items. The interviewers also spoke about their experiences working with respondents. They 

indicated that respondents were generally cooperative, they understood what types of records to 

collect, were able to use the diary and to keep records separate for each household member. 

Further details are presented in a later report section on the respondent debriefing. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 12

Data Preparation 

Five kinds of data were collected during the Feasibility Study: 

• demographic data from the recruitment screener; 

• expenditures for which respondents collected records; 

• expenditures that respondents entered into the diaries; 

• respondent experiences with the records-collection task from the debriefing 

questionnaire; 

• and interviewers' impressions of the task and survey procedures, both from the debriefing 

questionnaire. 

This section describes how each type of data was handled in preparation for analysis.

The survey materials sent to NORC by field interviewers were receipted by a lead research 

assistant (RA). The lead RA maintained a data management log (DML) of all study materials 

that were received, documenting the presence or absence of necessary documents (consent 

forms, diaries, protocol booklets, and payment receipts). The lead RA also checked that the 

assigned sample unit identifier (SUID) was correct, that each household member over 14 had 

been assigned a person number, and that the electronic .PDF file containing scanned images for 

each household was received and stored on the network. 

Data Entry, Coding and Cleaning of the Data

The lead RA and six additional RAs served as coders. The coders entered data from the scanned 

expenditure records and diary entries into a Microsoft Access database. An initial version of the 

database was provided to NORC by BLS. NORC added fields as needed (such as fields for 

entering relationship among household members, additional tax rates, purchaser, and service 

dates). In addition, NORC added the CE coding scheme to be used, and fields needed to track 

the adjudication and verification of the item coding. A list of the information included in the 

database's tables can be found in Appendix H). To facilitate the movement of cases from data 

entry to verification, adjudication and cleaning, the data entry was completed in batches across 

nine separate database files. Using household number as the primary index, coders entered data 

on the household and its members, each scanned record and the item(s) it listed, each diary, and 

each diary entry. Coders attempted to code items into one of 72 CE expenditure categories using 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 13

a 4-tier, hierarchical coding system (Appendix I).2 Items were classified at the most general 

level first and then to progressively more detailed categories if the item description provided 

enough information. Some items only had a single level of classification (e.g., “Personal care 

products and services) whereas others had 4 levels (e.g., Food Food at home  Meats, 

poultry, fish, and eggs  Beef). Coders classified each item to the lowest level they felt 

confident given the information on the record. An item was considered “fully coded” if it was 

coded to the most specific level possible for that expenditure category. 

The project methodologist and survey specialist trained the lead RA on the data entry and coding 

process; the lead RA trained the coding staff. Most coders were trained in a one-on-one session 

with the lead coder. They reviewed the Access database, the coding scheme, and practiced the 

data entry and coding process. The lead RA and a methodologist reviewed the work of the 

coders.

When coding a particular item, coders were able to successfully code most items. There were at 

least two types of issues coders faced difficulty with when classifying items: uncodeable items 

and unidentifiable items. Coders were sometimes able to determine at a general level what an 

item on a record was, but were not able to determine how to code an item. This could be due to 

lack of detailed information on the receipt or uncertainty about how the item is to be classified in 

the CE categorization scheme. When coders were unable to fully code an item, they marked it as 

“uncodeable” by checking a box on the item data entry form within the database. Coders 

sometimes could not determine at all what an item was from the information on the financial 

record. They marked these items “unidentifiable” by selecting a box in the database. Items 

marked as “uncodeable” or” unidentifiable” proceeded to the adjudication process. Items that 

coders could classify proceeded to verification. Adjudication and verification are described in a 

later section.

As coding issues arose, they were discussed and decisions made in conjunction with BLS on how 

to code specific issues. Appendix J documents these decisions. 

 

2 The CE categorization scheme used for the coding process matches that in the CE data tables published by 

BLS; details on CE data requirements can be found at http://www.bls.gov/cex/cedatarequirements.pdf. This 

categorization scheme is not at the level of detail required by the Consumer Price Index (CPI); details on CPI 

requirements for the CE can be found at http://www.bls.gov/cex/ovrvwcpirequirement.pdf. 

 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 14

The screener data from the recruitment process and respondents' and interviewers' answers to 

their respective debriefing questions were entered into an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheets 

were exported to SPSS for analysis.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 15

As each of the nine batches was completed, the data were cleaned. The cleaning process 

involved several steps: 

• Confirming that items that could not be fully coded were marked as such (by checking a 

box in the Access data entry form)

• Reviewing entry of items that may have been entered inconsistently across coders, such 

as

o Food stamps 

o Tips

o Taxes

o Returns 

o Coupons 

• Examining records to determine if duplicate records had been entered. Coders were 

aware that duplicate records could exist and attempted to identify duplicates before they 

were data entered. If duplicates were found, only one record was entered. Records with 

item information, such as receipts, were given priory over duplicate records without item 

information, such as a credit card charge slip. The examination for duplicates focused on 

the following records for which respondents could have also provided a receipt: 

o Diary entries

o Credit card statements

o Credit card charge slips

• Identifying and removing records outside the scope of the respondent’s two-week 

recordkeeping period. 

Adjudication and Verification the Financial Records Data

During the coding process, if a coder was unable to fully code an item, it was marked for 

adjudication as “uncodeable” or “unidentifiable.” These items were adjudicated by the lead RA 

or the project Survey Specialist. The adjudicators were often able to use their knowledge as 

consumers to determine how to code these items. In other instances, they used the item 

description on the receipts to search the internet for information on the items.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 16

Table 2: Percentage of Items Requiring Adjudication (Scanned Records)

Item Status N %

All items needing adjudication 1222 12.3

 Uncodeable item 580 47.5

 Unidentifiable item 642 52.5

Items not needing adjudication 8681 87.7

Total 9903 100.0

 

To assess the level of agreement among coders in assigning items to CE categories, 10% of items 

that had been fully coded by a first coder were coded by a second coder (verifier). The verifier 

drew a random number n from one to 10, counted to the n

th item from the top of the list (skipping 

adjudicated items), and verified every 10th item on the list. The verifier conducted the coding 

verification in a blind process; the code assigned by the first coder was not available to the 

verifier. For the verification process, only items that had not been adjudicated were eligible to be 

selected for verification. By restricting verification to those items that the first coder could fully 

code, it is possible to determine the level of match between coders based only on items that they 

felt were codeable. A total of 785 items were selected for verification.

As shown in Table 2, of the 9,903 items extracted from the financial records, 8,681 (87.7%) of 

items were fully coded by the first coder; 1,222 items (12.3%) required adjudication. Of these, 

580 (47.5%) had been flagged as “uncodeable” and 642 (52.5%) had been flagged as 

“unidentifiable.” 

Comparing the CE codes assigned to verified items by first and second coders, we see a 

complete match in coding on 69.3% of items (Table 3); for these items, the full code assigned by 

the two coders matched at all coding levels (from one to four depending on the category). 

Among items that were not fully matched in coding, the verification data show that 22.4% of 

items were assigned the same top level category by both coders. Taken altogether, 91.7% of 

items were coded identically by both coders at the top level of coding. These data suggest that 

coders often knew the broad CE category to which an item belonged, but did not have sufficient 

detail to reliably code at more detailed levels.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 17

Table 3: Coding Success: Match Rate between Coders (Scanned Records)

Code-Verification Concordance N %

Complete match 544 69.3

Mismatch, same top category 176 22.4

Unmatched 65 8.3

Total 785 100.0

Table 4 summarizes the data on verification by record type. Due to the relatively small number 

of records other than receipts, all non-receipt record types were collapsed into an “Other” 

category (see Appendix tables for full detail). As Table 4 shows, complete coding match 

between the first coder and the verifier was lower for receipts than for all other types of records 

(68.1% vs. 82.6%, z=-2.50, p<.05). When coding matches only at the top category are 

considered, accuracy appears higher for receipts than for other records (92.7% vs. 82.6%, z=2.92, 

p<.05). 

Table 4: Coding Success—Match Rate by Record Type (Scanned Records)

Code-Verification Concordance

Record Type

Receipt Other

N % N %

Complete match 486 68.1 57 82.6

Mismatch, same top category 176 24.6 0 0.0

Unmatched 52 7.3 12 17.4

Total 714 100.0 69 100.0

Upon completing of adjudication and verification tasks, most items were at least partially coded; 

Table 5 summarizes overall level of coding success. As shown in the Table, about 90% of items 

were fully coded and fewer than 6% were not codeable.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 18

Table 5: Overall Coding Success (Scanned Records)

Level

Coding 

Completeness

N %

Fully coded 8924 90.1

Within 1 of full 60 0.6

Within 2 of full 224 2.3

Within 3 of full 118 1.2

No coding 577 5.8

Total 9903 100.0

Data Analysis Files and Procedures

Once the cleaning, adjudication and verification had been completed, the Access databases were 

exported to Excel and SPSS files created. Data files for household level, scanned and diary 

record levels, and item level information were created. Data files and documentation are part of 

a separate delivery. 

It should be noted that a number of the scans could not be read easily. Of the 2,985 records, 275 

(9.2%) were deemed fully or partially illegible; 2,710 records were considered fully legible. A 

review of the illegible records suggested that the scans were poor for a number of reasons. Some 

of the original records were of poor quality (light ink) and at times interviewers may not have 

noted that a document did not scan well. To keep respondent burden at a minimum, interviewers 

were unable to check the quality of individual scans, which would have required opening and 

examining each scanned file separately. 

For the Present-Absent tables, whether information was counted as absent depended on the type 

of variable. Some variables in the Present-Absent tables were verbatim fields (purchase date, 

outlet name, total price, tax amount, tax rate, shipping cost). Other fields presented response 

options (payment type, record type, outlet type) but only one of these (payment type) provided 

an explicit option for “unknown.” A third type of field was presented as yes-no radio buttons 

(variables on presence of personally identifying information). 

Coder error in forgetting to enter a response for a variable may have occurred because the 

database was not designed to alert coders to missing data on the forms. As a result, when a 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 19

verbatim field was left blank or a response option was not selected, it was difficult to determine 

whether it was because of coder error or because the information could not be read on the 

scanned record. To be able to more accurately distinguish absent information from information 

that could not be discerned on the scanned record, the illegible records were excluded in 

producing the Present-Absent tables. 

With the exclusion of the illegible records from the analysis, for variables with verbatim fields, a 

blank (no data entered) or entry such as “unknown” was considered absent information. For 

variables with response options but no “unknown” option (record type, outlet type) a missing 

response was considered absent information. To maintain consistency with record and outlet 

type, both “unknown” and missing data were considered absent for payment type. For the yesno items, a selection of “no” indicated absent information; missing data were excluded from 

analysis. 

When the variables used in the Present-Absent set of tables are included in other cross

tabulations, the illegible records are included. Those records that have no value entered for a 

particular variable due to the partially or fully illegible records are automatically excluded from 

these cross tabulations. The table notes indicate when the illegible records have been excluded 

from the analysis.

One respondent who played the lottery often provided an unusually high number of records 

primarily due to the number of lottery tickets in this respondent’s records. This respondent is 

included in the analyses unless noted otherwise. Although the means presented may be affected 

by this outlier, information on the range and median are presented as well to inform 

interpretation of the data.

In the Feasibility Study, interviewers emphasized to respondents the importance of keeping 

records separate for different household members. However, the interviewer only interacted 

with and instructed the household respondent on the need to keep records separate. It is difficult 

to ascertain whether the household respondent requested records from other household members 

and whether the household respondent fully and accurately explained what was to be collected. 

Further, we do not know whether the household respondent accurately maintained the separate 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 20

files of records for each household member. Because the data entered into the database must be 

associated with a person identifier, both scanned and diary records which were not explicitly 

assigned by the household respondent to a particular household member were assigned to the 

household respondent by default. This assignment rule should be kept in mind when interpreting 

some of the tables in this report. 

Finally, most of the analyses focus on the information available on the expenditures for which 

we were able to collected records. These records are referred to either as “scanned records” or 

simply “records.” Whenever the expenditure information recorded in the diaries is discussed, the 

term “diary records” is used. 

Appendix K includes the full set of analysis tables requested by BLS. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 21

Findings from the Feasibility Study

A total of 152 respondents completed both visits of the Feasibility Study. In this section of the 

report we present findings from the Feasibility Study. The following topics are covered: 

• Summary of availability of scanned records and diary records from participating 

households 

• Summary of the availability of information relevant to the CE Surveys in the scanned 

records and the additional information that would need to be collected from respondents 

• Summary of the availability of information relevant to other BLS surveys on the records 

• Summary of the availability of PII on the records

• Findings from the Respondent and Interviewer Debriefings 

Qualitative Summary of Scanned Record and Diary Record Availability

The 152 households included in the Feasibility Study collected a total of 2,985 scanned records 

(an average of 19.6 per household, with a range of 0 to 232 records). Of the 2,985 scanned 

records, 2,557 records included items; there were 428 records with no items listed. There were 

9903 total individual items listed on the 2,557 records with items. The mean number of items 

per record for these records was 3.9 (median=2), and ranged from one to 133 items per record. 

The total number of diaries received was 181 (ranging from 0 to 5 per household); 32 households 

did not have any expenditures entered in their diaries. These diaries included a total of 954 diary 

records (an average of 6.3 per household, with a range of 0 to 54 records). Combining scanned 

and diary records, we received a total of 3939 records, or an average of 25.9 records per 

household. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 22

Scanned Records. Table 6 shows the distribution of records across record types. As the Table

shows, the large majority of records were receipts (86.3%). Credit card charge slips were the 

next most frequent type of record, with 1.7%. The “other” category consisted of parking fee 

slips, withdrawal records but the majority in this category was lottery tickets.3

 

Table 6: Distribution of Record Type (Scanned Records)

Record Type N %

Receipt 2326 86.3

Utility Bill 21 0.8

E-mail Receipt 15 0.6

Website Printout 10 0.4

Package Invoice 1 0.0

Service Invoice 7 0.3

Credit Card Statement 4 0.1

Credit Card Charge Slip 47 1.7

Bank Statement 15 0.6

Written Notes 9 0.3

Other 239 8.9

Total 2694 100.0

Note: Illegible records excluded from analysis; n=16 additional missing observations.

 

3 A total of 212 lottery tickets were submitted by one respondent; four additional lottery tickets were 

submitted by two other respondents.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 23

Of the records that included individual items (2,557 of the 2985 records), 9,161 of the 9,903 

items on those records were codeable at the top level of the CE categorization scheme. Table 7 

shows all items by major CE category for all items that could be classified at the top level. The 

largest share of expenditures was for food items, which accounted for 69.5% of all items 

purchases. The next largest share of expenditures was for housing, which accounted for 9.3% of 

items purchases, and apparel and services, accounting for 4.4% of expenditures. 

Table 7: Number of Items by Major Expenditure Category (Scanned Records)

Expenditure Category N %

Food 6369 69.5

Alcoholic Beverages 197 2.2

Housing 855 9.3

Apparel and Services 401 4.4

Transportation 184 2.0

Healthcare 108 1.2

Entertainment 240 2.6

Personal Care 353 3.9

Reading 43 0.5

Education 16 0.2

Tobacco/Smoking 32 0.4

Miscellaneous 347 3.8

Cash Contributions 14 0.2

Personal Insurance and Pensions 2 0.0

Total 9161 100.0

Note: Estimates based on 9161 items with top level CE category coding. Records that were not itemized 

and items that could not be coded are excluded from analysis.

As Table 8 shows, across the 152 households in the sample, the sum of expenditures for which 

scanned records were obtained varied widely across categories. The category with the highest 

sum was Food, with more than $18,000 worth of purchases; the category with the lowest sum 

was Education, with under $20. The share of expenditures in the category of Food (36.8%) is

larger than that for any other category. Each of the remaining expenditure categories comprises 

less than 15% share of the total. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 24

Table 8: Percentage of Expenditures in Each CE Category (Scanned Records)

Expenditure Category Item Price

Sum ($) %

Food 18,401.51 36.8

Alcoholic Beverages 1,421.55 2.8

Housing 7,411.14 14.8

Apparel and Services 6,913.68 13.8

Transportation 4,899.16 9.8

Healthcare 1,333.55 2.7

Entertainment 2,224.95 4.5

Personal Care 2,389.79 4.8

Reading 178.63 0.4

Education 17.74 0.0

Tobacco/Smoking 271.35 0.5

Miscellaneous 2,529.72 5.1

Cash Contributions 1,833.15 3.7

Personal Insurance and Pensions 172.26 0.3

Total 49,998.18 100.0

Note: Estimates based on top level CE category coding. Table includes 9,762 items with non-missing Price.

The most common form of payment noted on the scanned financial records was cash (38.2%; 

Table 9). Credit and debit card payments were the second most common form of payment 

(35.4%). Relatively few other forms of payment were used by respondents. Almost all of the 

items in the “other” category were paid with public assistance (food stamps, LINK, EBT). 

Table 9: Number of Records by Payment Method (Scanned Records) 

Expenditure Category N %

Cash 1024 38.2

Check 25 0.9

Credit or Debit Card 950 35.4

Online One-Time Payment 4 0.1

Gift Card 31 1.2

Return//Exchange 10 0.4

Other 251 9.4

Unknown 386 14.4

Total 2681 100.0

Note: Online Automated Payment was an available coding category for which no records were found. 

Missing (n=29) excluded from table.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 25

Table 10 shows the mean number of records collected across demographic groups; median, 

minimum and maximum records are displayed as well. For each demographic group, an analysis 

of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to explore differences in number of records collected by 

demographic characteristics. These analyses revealed no significant differences in number of 

records collected by demographic characteristics. However, the differences among respondents 

differing in age was marginally significant (F=2.73, p<.07). As Table 10 shows, respondents 

between the ages of 18 to 25 years provided fewer records than those in the two older age 

groups. Respondents in the oldest age group (ages 61 and over) provided more records than both 

younger groups.

Table 10: Number of Scanned Records by Demographic Group

Respondent Demographics N Mean Median Min Max

Household 

Income

<$30K 83 18.6 14.0 1 232

$30K - $60K 36 20.2 19.5 0 45

$61K and over 28 22.6 23.0 0 52

Respondent 

Age

18-25 47 15.0 14.0 0 52

26-60 68 19.5 18.0 0 88

61 and over 35 26.1 18.0 1 232

Household 

Size

1 person 44 24.6 18.0 1 232

2 people 42 20.0 20.5 2 45

3 or more people 66 16.1 14.0 0 52

Respondent 

Employment 

Status

Not employed 65 20.6 16.0 0 232

Employed part time 48 17.8 15.5 0 88

Employed full time 38 20.4 19.0 0 48

Respondent 

Education

Less than HS 28 14.1 14.0 0 29

HS or some college 73 19.2 15.0 1 232

College degree or more 50 23.5 20.5 0 88

Note: Some percentages do not add up to 100% because of rounding. Missing excluded from percentages.

Diary Records. Respondents and other household members were asked to use the diary to 

record information for which they did not obtain a record of the expenditure. In addition, if there 

was a purchase for which purchasers were reluctant to provide the receipt, they were instructed 

to include it in the diary. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 26

When filling out the diaries, respondents were asked to state for each recorded purchase why 

they did not have a record. The most common reason why respondents had no record was that 

one was not provided (44.7%). Respondents indicated that the record was left behind at the 

place of purchase or was lost/misplaced a total of 28.2% of the time. There were some records 

that respondents were unwilling to provide (5.1%) and often respondents failed to indicate why 

they had no record (12.9%). Among the other reasons why there was no record for the purchase 

were that another person took them (by mistake or purchase was shared), the respondent did not 

get them printed, or forgot to ask for one. Table 11 shows the total count of reasons provided. 

Table 11: Reasons Why No Record was provided for a Purchase

Why No Record? N %

Left Behind 111 11.6

Lost/misplaced 158 16.6

Not Provided by Outlet 426 44.7

R Unwilling to Provide 49 5.1

Other Reason 86 9.0

Reason Left Blank by Respondent 123 12.9

Total 953 100.0

Note: Some percentages do not add up to 100% because of rounding. N=1 missing case; 

missing excluded from percentages.

Diary keepers were asked to provide some record-level information about the expenditure for 

which they did not provide a receipt or other record of the purchase. Table 12 shows the 

availability of information from diary keepers of several data elements. Diary keepers almost 

always provided information on the date of the purchase, the name of the outlet, price paid, and 

payment type. However, information on whether tax was paid was included less often (84.4%). 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 27

Table 12: Presence of Information in Diary Records

Data Element % Present

(N)

% Absent

(N)

% Total 

(N)

Purchase Date 98.3

(938)

1.7

(16)

100.0

(954)

Outlet Name 94.3

(900)

5.7

(54)

100.0

(954)

Total Price 99.3

(947)

0.7

(7)

100.0

(954)

Payment Type 99.7

(951)

0.3

(3)

100.0

(954)

Tax (whether paid) 84.4

(805)

15.6

(149)

100.0

(954)

Note: Information was considered present if the verbatim field in the diary was filled in (purchase 

date, outlet name, total price) or if a response option was selected (payment type, tax). 

The majority of purchases that respondents recorded in the diary were made in person with a 

cashier (Table 13). Self-service purchases that were made in person accounted for 10.8% of 

purchases. The purchases that were made online were likely to have had an associated record in 

the respondent’s e-mail account. However, respondents recorded 101 of these purchases in the 

diary instead of providing a copy of the online receipt; these accounted for 10.6% of the diary 

entries. In comparison, only 25 online purchases (e-mail receipts and website printouts) were 

among the scanned records, accounting for only about 1% of the scanned records. 

Table 13: How Purchases Recorded in the Diary were Made

How Purchase Made N %

In person (cashier) 553 57.9

In person (vending/self) 103 10.8

Mail Order 14 1.5

Online 101 10.6

Phone Order 24 2.5

Other 21 2.2

Left Blank by Respondent 137 14.4

Total 950 100.0

Note: Some percentages do not add up to 100% because of rounding. N=4 missing cases; missing

excluded from percentages.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 28

The majority of purchases that diary keepers recorded in the diaries were paid for with cash 

(59.7%; Table 14). Debit and credit cards combined accounted for 22.5% of purchases. Among 

the diary records, the percentage of purchases paid for with cash is significantly higher than the 

percentage paid for with credit/debit cards. That is, for the expenditures for which respondents 

did not provide a record, cash payment is much more likely than other forms of payment. 

However, a comparison with payment characteristics among the scanned records does not reflect 

this difference. Among the scanned records, 38.2% of purchases were paid for with cash while

35.4% were paid for with credit/debit cards (Table 9); this difference is not significant. 4 

Table 14: How Purchases Recorded in the Diary were Paid For

How Purchase Paid For N %

Cash 568 59.7

Check 53 5.6

Credit Card 85 8.9

Debit Card 129 13.6

Online Service 40 4.2

Other 68 7.2

Left Blank by Respondent 8 0.8

Total 951 100.0

Note: “Automatic payment” was a payment option that appeared in the diary but no 

respondents selected this option. N=3 missing cases; missing excluded from 

percentages.

The data show that diary keepers were fairly thorough about maintaining the diary during the 

study period. Most fields in the diaries were filled in. Missing data was most prevalent in the 

fields describing why there was no record and how the purchase was made. Data could be 

missing for a variety of reasons. For example, the respondent could have been unable to recall 

the information or the respondent may not have taken the time to record it in the diary. 

Table 15 provides comparisons across demographic groups in the number of diary records 

obtained. ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences by demographic characteristics in 

 

4 Confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the percent of cash and credit/debit payment for diary and scanned 

records. For percent of cash payments in the diary the CI is .57 - .63 and for credit/debit payments the CI is .20 - 

.25; lack of overlap in these intervals indicates a significant difference, p , .05. For percent of cash payment in the 

scanned records the CI is .36 - .40 and for credit/debit the CI is .34 - .37; this difference is not statistically 

significant. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 29

number of diary records submitted. These tests indicated significant effects of both income level 

and household size on number of diary entries (F=3.37, p<.05 for income; F=3.35, p<.05 for 

household size). Post-hoc comparisons revealed that respondents in the lowest income group 

($30,000 or less) submitted significantly fewer records than those in the highest income group 

($61,000 and over, p <.05). Further, respondents in one-person households submitted fewer 

diary records than those in households with three or more persons (p <.05). 

Table 15: Number of Diary Records by Demographic Group

Respondent Demographics N Mean Median Min Max

Household 

income

<$30K 83 4.9 3.0 0 54

$30K - $60K 36 7.0 6.0 0 28

$61K and over 28 8.8 7.0 0 28

Respondent 

Age

18-25 47 6.7 4.0 0 54

26-60 68 6.3 4.0 0 31

61 and over 35 5.4 4.0 0 28

Household 

Size

1 person 44 4.7 4.0 0 15

2 people 42 5.1 4.0 0 28

3 or more people 66 8.0 5.5 0 54

Respondent 

Employment 

Status

Not employed, 65 6.1 4.0 0 31

Employed part time 48 6.8 5.0 0 54

Employed full time 38 5.9 4.0 0 21

Respondent 

Education

Less than HS 28 6.1 1.5 0 54

HS or some college 73 5.1 4.0 0 28

College degree or more 50 8.1 7.0 0 31

Comparison of Expenditure Shares in Scanned Records and Diary Records. Respondents 

were instructed to provide records for all expenditures and to use the diary only for those 

expenditures for which they had no record. To examine respondent success at providing records 

for their purchases, we examined the allocation of expenditures between records and the diary 

for each household. We summed each household’s total expenditures in scanned records and 

total expenditures in diary records and then computed for each household the percentage of total 

expenditures that were in the records vs. in the diaries. Data by household is presented in 

Appendix tables (Appendix K). Table 16 presents the findings summarized across households. 

As Table 16 indicates, respondents varied widely in the percentage of purchases they provided 

records for. The share in records ranged from no expenditures (0.0%) to all expenditures 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 30

(100.0%). Some respondents recorded purchases with a high dollar value in the diary; these 

outliers are reflected in the means. The median share of expenditures in records was 80.4% 

whereas the share in the diary was 19.6%, indicating that half of respondents were providing 

records for 80% or more of their expenditures. 

Table 16: Expenditure Share in Records vs. Diaries

Total 

Purchases

Records 

Purchases

% Share in 

Records

Diary 

Purchases

% Share in 

Diaries

Mean $1,041.41 $571.21 66.8 $470.20 33.2

Median $633.63 $341.43 80.4 $70.70 19.6

Minimum $1.09 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0

Maximum $14,322.34 $4,108.76 100.0 $13,097.87 100.0

Note: Total expenditures for records was based on either the record price or the sum of item prices, 

whichever was greater. Some records did not provide price at the item level.

Qualitative Summary of the Availability of CE Relevant Information

In order for a data collection based on collection of financial records to be of use for the CE 

Surveys, the information that is needed for CE purposes must be available on the records. We 

examined the records to determine the presence of the following types of information on the 

records: purchase date, outlet name, total price, payment type, tax paid, type of outlet, type of 

record, tax rate, shipping cost and item price. 

Table 17 presents data on the presence of various types of information on the financial records. 

Purchase date and total price are available on more than 90% of records. Outlet name, outlet 

type and payment type are available on just under 90% of records. The data show that nearly 

two-thirds of records showed the amount of tax paid. However, only 29.4% of records showed 

tax rates. Shipping cost rarely appeared on records, but it is impossible to determine how often 

respondents actually paid for shipping. Record type was determined to be present if the coder 

felt able to determine what type of record it was. In almost all instances, they were able to make 

a determination.5

 The few instances in which a determination could not be made were related to 

scan quality.6

 

5 Most of the records for which record type was not coded were indicated in comments to be “blank.” These 

blank records were not found during the examination for illegible records and were not flagged as illegible.

6 A check box on the data entry form allowed coders to indicate that a record had product codes, numbers 

that uniquely identify an item. For 691 of 2710 records (25.5%, excluding illegible records), coders indicated 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 31

Table 17: Presence of CE Relevant Information (Scanned Records)

Data Element % Present

(N)

% Absent

(N)

% Total

(N)

Purchase Date 94.7

(2567)

5.3

(143)

100.0

(2710)

Outlet Name 89.3

(2420)

10.7

(290)

100.0

(2710)

Total Price 98.3

(2664)

1.7

(46)

100.0

(2710)

Payment Type 84.7

(2295)

15.3

(415)

100.0

(2710)

Tax (amount paid) 64.9

(1758)

35.1

(952)

100.0

(2710)

Outlet Type 88.7

(2403)

11.3

(307)

100.0

(2710)

Record Type 99.4

(2694)

0.6

(16)

100.0

(2710)

Tax Rate 29.4

(798)

70.6

(1912)

100.0

(2710)

Shipping Cost 0.1

(3)

99.9

(2707)

100.0

(2710)

Item Price 99.3

(8895)

0.7

(66)

100.0

(8961)

Note: Two tax rates could be entered into the database (although sometimes more tax rates appeared on the 

record). Tax Rate 1 used to determine if tax rate appeared on record. Illegible records were excluded from 

analysis. Records information was considered present if the verbatim field was filled in by the coder 

(purchase date, outlet name, total price, tax paid, tax rate, shipping cost) or if a response option excluding 

“unknown” was selected (payment type, outlet type, record type). Illegible records (n=275 illegible of 2985 

total records) excluded from analysis. Item price information based on 8961 items on the 2710 readable 

records; item price considered present if field filled in by coder. 

There are some elements of purchase information required in the CE Surveys that can be difficult 

to determine from the records that respondents provide. Fields from the Diary Survey that are 

often unknown solely from records information are listed below: 

• Food and Drinks Away from Home 

o Type of meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack/other 

o Outlet type (Fast Food, Full Service, etc.)

 

the record had product codes. Since this field was not formatted as a yes-no radio button, an unchecked box 

was interpreted to mean that no product codes appeared on the record. However, it is possible based on 

coder comments that they were inconsistent in use of this check box. That is, the box could be left unchecked 

due to coder error. Therefore, this product code data should be interpreted with caution. 

 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 32

• Food and Drinks for Home Consumption 

o Fresh, frozen, bottled/canned, other 

• Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry, and Accessories 

o Male, female

o Age

Some types of expenditures that are of interest for the CE Quarterly Survey are uncommon 

enough that the number of records obtained for them during the Feasibility Study is insufficient 

for analysis. These include, for example, household repairs and service contracts, major 

construction projects, major medical expenses and trip expenses. 

One category relevant to the CE Quarterly Survey for which we obtained a number of records is 

Clothing. In this category, information concerning the recipient of the items (inside or outside of 

house), and age and gender for which the item is intended, is often not clear from the records. 

Qualitative Summary of the Availability of Non-CE Relevant Information

Financial records can be a rich source of information beyond what is required for the completion 

of CE. The collection of records-based information could be made more cost-effective if 

information required for other surveys is collected as well. For example, data collection for the 

Consumer Price Index (CPI) requires a sample of establishments from which consumers make 

their purchases. This sample and selection weights are determined by the Telephone Point of 

Purchase Survey (TPOPS). In the TPOPS, consumers are called and asked to identify stores 

(including specific outlet locations) where they made certain categories of purchases. As with 

expenditure information, specific outlet names and locations may be better collected from 

respondent records rather than relying on memory-based reports.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) requires information additional to what is needed for the CE 

Surveys. As part of the Feasibility Study, the availability of non-CE relevant information was 

examined. CPI-relevant information that is beyond the requirements of the CE include (in part): 

outlet names and locations for brick and mortar purchases, outlet names for catalog purchases, 

and web domains for online purchases. Table 18 shows that outlet information is readily 

available on nearly all records. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 33

Table 18: Presence of Non-CE Relevant Information (Scanned Records)

Data Element % Present

(N)

% Absent

(N)

% Total

(N)

Outlet Name 89.3

(2420)

10.7

(290)

100.0

(2710)

Outlet Address 88.6

(2167)

11.4

(280)

100.0

(2447)

Outlet Phone Number 84.6

(2061)

15.4

(375)

100.0

(2436)

Note: Illegible records (n=275 illegible of 2985 total records) excluded from analysis. Outlet name was 

considered present if the verbatim field was filled in by the coder. Outlet address and phone number were 

considered present (“yes”) or absent (“no”) based on coder selection of a response; data were considered 

missing if no response selected (n= 263 missing for address and n=274 missing for phone).

The detailed tables presented in Appendix K show the availability of outlet information on the 

records by record type. Outlet name appears on almost all records across all record types. 

However, outlet address is present for most receipts, service invoices, and credit card charge 

slips but is on fewer than half of utility bills and e-mail receipts. Similarly, phone number is 

available on most receipts, service invoices, and credit card charge slips. 

To examine whether the availability of outlet information on records varies by the type of outlet, 

we examined the records for the presence of outlet address and phone on the records by type of 

outlet. This information is presented in Table 19. For brick and mortar outlets, both the 

address and phone number are available on most receipts. For internet purchases, outlet address 

appeared on the record less than 50% of the time and outlet phone just 16% of the time. For 

other types of outlets two-thirds or more of records are missing address and phone. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 34

Table 19: Presence of Non-CE Relevant Information by Outlet Type (Scanned Records)

Outlet Type

Outlet Address Outlet Phone

% Present

(N)

% Absent

(N)

% Present

(N)

% Absent

(N)

Brick and Mortar 90.6

(2291)

9.4

(238)

86.8

(2185)

13.0

(333)

Internet 42.3

(11)

57.7

(15)

16.0

(4)

84.0

(21)

Other 29.7

(11)

70.3

(26)

35.1

(13)

64.9

(24)

Total 89.2%

(2313)

10.8%

(279)

85.3

(2202)

14.7

(378)

Note: Phone/catalog was a coding option for type of outlet but no purchases of this type were found 

in the records. N=393 missing cases for outlet address and n=405 missing cases for outlet phone.

Qualitative Summary of the Availability of PII on Respondents’ Records

A data collection procedure that relies on the collection of copies of respondents’ financial 

documents has the potential to greatly reduce respondent burden and to increase the accuracy of 

the expenditure data. However, a possible disadvantage of collecting copies of financial records 

concerns the confidentiality risks associated with the potential disclosure of Personally 

Identifying Information (PII) about the respondent. PII is a concern because it increases the risks 

of survey participation to respondents. Even if steps are taken to limit the risk, such as collecting 

records only in a secure manner, respondent perceptions of the risks may influence willingness to 

share financial records. 

An examination of the records indicates that the most common PII found on the records is the 

last four digits of the purchaser’s credit card number, with 41.4% of records displaying this 

information (Table 20). The full credit card number appeared on less than 1% of records. 

Customer name and a store-based number that uniquely identifies the respondent (e.g., a loyalty 

card number) were found on approximately 11% of records while address and phone number 

each appeared on less than 3% of records. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 35

Table 20: Presence of PII on Records (Scanned Records)

Data Element % Present

(N)

% Absent

(N)

% Total

(N)

Name 9.1

(224)

90.9

(2241)

100.0

(2465)

Address 2.7

(66)

97.3

(2401)

100.0

(2467)

Phone Numbers 1.4

(34)

98.6

(2430)

100.0

(2464)

Credit Card Numbers 0.3

(7)

99.7

(2458)

100.0

(2465)

Credit Card—Last 4 41.4

(1022)

58.6

(1444)

100.0

(2466)

Customer ID 10.9

(269)

89.1

(2198)

100.0

(2467)

Note: Illegible records excluded from analysis. PII considered present (“yes”) or absent (“no”) based on 

coder selection of a response; data were considered missing if no response selected (n= 245 missing for 

name, n=243 missing for address, n=246 missing for phone, n=245 missing for credit card number, n= 244 

missing for credit card—last 4, n= 243 missing for customer ID).

Respondent Debriefing Questionnaire

During Visit 2, respondents were asked questions about their experiences participating in the 

study. The topics of the debriefing questions included their experiences with participating in this 

study and concerns about confidentiality and privacy as well as respondents’ usual record 

keeping practices.

Study Participation. We asked participants about the time it took for them to collect and store 

their records for this study as well as time taken to complete the diary entries. Overall, 

participants spent a little more than one hour (73.1 minutes) on the task of record keeping. The 

range, though, varied from 1 minute to 12 hours (720 minutes). The average time spent on 

recording diary entries was about one half hour (32.5 minutes). 

We asked participants how easy or difficult it was for them to collect records for the study. Most 

reported that it was very easy (50.0%) or somewhat easy (31.6%). Only a handful said that it 

was very difficult (4.6%). 

The majority (65.1%) collected just about all of their records. In an open-ended question, we 

asked the remaining 34.9% of participants why they did not collect all their records. Many 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 36

respondents stated that they forgot or misplaced the records or that they were preoccupied and 

distracted. However, a common response was that they did not get a record of the purchase or 

receipt. 

We asked participants if there were types of records that they could not collect. More than one 

third responded that there were such types of records (39.5%). When asked to explain, 

participants said things like, “Bus fare, getting to work, you put $$ on the card at the machine 

and it doesn't print a receipt.” For the most part, these included tickets for public transportation, 

concession stands or vending machines, and “stuff off the street.” 

A small number of participants reported that there were purchases for which they could have 

collected a record, but did not (17.8%). Again we asked them to elaborate. Most of these 

records ranged from smaller purchases, such as coffee or newspapers, to larger items such as 

restaurant tabs. The reasons for this lapse in record keeping were varied, but again, a common 

reason given was that they forgot or lost the records. For example, one participant said, “That 

was when I left the gas station (in the 1st few days) and then I went to [store] and forgot.” 

Fortunately, many of the purchases for which participants did not have a record were recorded in 

the diaries. More than three quarters (78.2%) of respondents who did not have all their records 

said that they recorded those purchases in the diary. For the rest (21.8%), many said that they 

did not remember to record the purchase in the diary: “I forget. After a few days I get in to habits 

and did better.” A few, though, said they were too busy: “[I] just got tired. I was very busy. I 

had a lot of things on my mind with people in town and kids going away to school.” 

We asked participants if they received any bank or credit card statements during the two week 

period. During the study time, only 26.5% of participants received a bank or credit card 

statement. Among those, 33.3% put the statements in the receipt wallet and 12.8% put them in 

the storage box. Others stored them somewhere else (28.2%). We asked these participants 

where they stored them and they responded with answers such as, “a drawer” or “on the shelf.” 

One quarter of participants (25.6%) who received statements during the two weeks did not save 

the statements at all. We asked them why they did not save their statements for us to record. 

Confidentiality was a primary reason given for not keeping their statements, “Because it has 

personal information.” One participant stated, “[I] don’t want to give my information.” 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 37

Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns. The survey included a few questions related to 

participants concerns over confidentiality. Overall, most participants did not feel uncomfortable 

sharing their records with the study (80.4%). 

For those who felt uncomfortable, we asked about the types of records they did not want to 

share. We coded all their responses. Largely, 79.3% did not want to share bank statements, 

51.7% had concerns sharing credit card statements, 20.7% took issue with providing their check 

registers, and 24.1% mentioned some other type of records they did not want to share, including 

ATM withdrawals, electronic payments and bills, utility bills, and mortgage payments. 

We captured all their possible reasons given by those who did not want to share all their records. 

For 62.1%, confidentiality was a concern, while 27.6% mentioned that the records were too 

private. Also, 58.6% said that the records included too much financial information and 13.8% 

reported some other reason. These other reasons are reported in the verbatim tables in the 

Appendix. 

 

Participation among Other Household Members. The survey included some questions aimed at 

understanding how other household members responded to the study. It turned out that 37.5% of 

participants did not have other household members.7

 Among the rest, 91.3% asked the other 

household members to provide records. Overall, 58.8% of participants who asked household 

members to participate reported that the household members were very comfortable about 

sharing their records. Only 7.1% said that the others were very uncomfortable. 

About one third (34.5%) of participants reported that, over the two week period, they put in a 

great deal of effort in getting the other household members to collect their records. However, for 

21.8% it was no effort at all. We asked participants how much effort they thought other 

members of the home put into collecting their records. More than half (55.1%) said that the 

other household members put in some or a great deal of effort, while the rest said that it was only 

a little or no effort at all. 

 

7 The classification of respondents into demographic groupings was based on their responses to the screener 

questions during recruitment. In the field, interviewers sometimes noted that more or fewer household 

members were participating as record keepers.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 38

The survey also included a question on the extent of records that participants were able to get 

from the other household members. While 64.3% said that almost all or most of the household 

members’ records were collected, 11.5% said that they were not able to collect any other their 

records. 

Use of Study Materials. We asked participants about their experiencing using the study 

materials, such as the storage box, wallet, and folders. Their responses are captured in Table 21. 

Table 21: Use of Study Materials

N % Used 

Materials

Records Storage Box 151 70.9

Diary 152 79.6

Receipt Wallet 152 94.1

To better understand why some participants did not use the materials, we asked them to explain. 

Among those who did not use the storage box, many said that they preferred to use the receipt 

wallet: “It was more convenient to just use the wallet.” Others simply forgot about the box. 

Some participants said that they did not get a box. While all households were provided with a 

storage box, it is possible that some participants did not understand that they were supposed to 

share it and use their individual folders within. Further, the box was a heavy cardboard file 

pocket folder and some respondents may not have considered it a box. For those who did not use 

the diary, many responded that they did not need the diary since they had kept most of their 

receipts. Overwhelmingly, participants used the wallet (94.1%). Of the three storage materials, 

the wallets seemed most popular. We asked the few participants who did not use the wallet to 

explain. The responses varied, but, for the most part, they did not use the wallet but instead used 

the folders in the storage box: “I just threw them in the folder - I forgot about it”. 

We asked participants what we could have done to make the process easier. A common response 

was that the study was easy or that the participants could not think of any suggestions. Others 

said that they would prefer to have done the study electronically. Yet others mentioned have a 

smaller wallet. See the debriefing section in the Appendix for more verbatim responses. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 39

Usual Payment and Record Keeping Practices. We asked participants to think about their usual 

payment and record keeping processes, outside of participating in the study. The questions 

referenced the time period of two months prior to the interview. 

Most participants had used a variety of payment types over the two months. These are recorded 

in Table 22. Cash was the payment type used by most participants (98.0%). Electronic 

payments services were used less often (26.3%). Verbatim responses counted under the other 

category included, among others, gift cards, link cards, and money orders. 

Table 22: Frequency of Payment Types

Forms of Payment N %

Cash 149 98.0

Credit Card 83 54.6

Debit Card 98 64.5

Electronic Payment Service 40 26.3

Automatic Withdrawals 64 42.1

Other Form of Payment 39 25.7

Note: Participants could provide more than one response.

We asked participants what they usually do with their paper receipts, bills, bank or credit card 

statements, and other financial documents. Respondents could provide more than one answer. 

See Table 23. Only about one third of participants reported that they save all or most of these 

records (38.8%) and others (36.2%) did not tend to save financial records. We asked those who 

stated that they do “something else” with their records to clarify. Some said that they keep 

records if applicable for taxes or warranties, while others said they keep them for a period of 

time and either shred or throw them away. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 40

Table 23: What Respondents do with Financial and Electronic Records

Paper 

Records

Electronic 

Records

N % N %

Save all or most 59 38.8 37 24.3

Save for purchases over a certain amount 37 24.3 12 7.9

Save for return items 77 50.7 17 11.2

Leave in online account (electronic records) -- -- 38 25.0

Do not tend to save 55 36.2 18 11.8

Something else 31 20.4 8 5.3

Note: Participants could provide more than one response.

Participants were asked where they usually store their paper records. Again, they could provide 

multiple responses. There was no particular type of storage that participants preferred. Some 

said that they used wallets (17.8%) or boxes or bags (23.7%). About one quarter (27.6%) had a 

designated spot in their home or office for records and 12.5% had a file cabinet. Among 

participants, 22.4% stored their documents in some other place. This other places included a 

“basket,” “coffee bucket or shoe box,” or “in a drawer.” One participant said that, “I just kind of 

stuck them somewhere for tax [purposes] in my 2012 tax file,” while another stated that,” I put 

them everywhere. I do need to find a spot and be more organized.” 

We also asked participants what they did with their electronic records or email bills. See Table 

23. For these types of records, the most common response was that they left it in their online 

account (25.0%). And, while 24.3% would save all or most of their records, 11.8% did not tend 

to save the records. 

Finally, the survey asked if participants maintained a record for paper or electronic checks that 

they write. While 28.3% reported that they did not write checks, among the rest, 44.0% said that 

they did keep a check register. 

Field Interviewer Debriefing Questionnaire

FIs completed a debriefing questionnaire about respondents’ understanding of the study task, 

concerns about sharing records, as well as organization and availability of records. According to 

the FIs, the majority of respondents (68.7%) had a very good understanding of the recording 

keeping tasks and most (57.8%) put in a great deal of effort. FIs reported that the vast majority 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 41

of respondents (96.0%) seemed very comfortable sharing store receipts. However, respondents 

appeared less comfortable sharing other financial records. While 75.7% felt very comfortable 

sharing bank statements, 16.2% very uncomfortable. Similarly, while most were very 

comfortable handing over their credit card statements (76.3%) or check registers (78.6%), 16.3% 

were very uncomfortable sharing credit card statements and 12.2% felt the same way about 

check registers. Regarding bills, most FIs reported that participants were very comfortable 

sharing those documents (87.8%) and only a handful were very uncomfortable (5.4%). 

According to the FIs, more than half of participants were very interested in the study (58.7%). 

FIs reported that 86.5% of respondents were at least somewhat organized while only 4.7% were 

not organized at all. They also stated that 71.5% of participants kept their records neatly stacked. 

Among households with other members who participated, 46.2% did not have their records filed 

by the household members. However, 82.9% of households had each member’s diary in the 

storage box. 

Technical Issues. We asked the FIs if there were any electronic records that had to be 

downloaded or printed. For most cases (98.0%) FIs reported that there were none. However, in 

two percent of cases the respondent had to print some electronic records (no records were 

downloaded). Only 7.4% of FIs reported a problem scanning records. Verbatim responses from 

the FIs suggested that the problems included ink colors that did not scan and that, more 

frequently, that the receipts would get stuck in the scanner, especially if they were torn or 

wrinkled. 

Field Interviewer Debriefing Session

In an in-person debriefing session at the conclusion of data collection, the interviewers shared 

their experiences on a number of topics related to the field effort. They reported on comments 

that respondents shared with them and also provided their own observations and inferences about 

respondents’ willingness to participate and concerns. These comments are summarized below.

Interviewers made the following observations concerning respondent willingness to participate in 

the study: 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 42

• Many asked “what is in it for the other household members?” It was difficult to persuade 

other HH members to participate. 

• Respondents seemed satisfied with the $40 compensation. However, it should be noted 

that the field manager who handled most of the recruitment process did hear comments 

from some who decided not to participate because the amount of compensation was low 

for the work required. 

• Some younger respondents seemed to be “in it for the money” and did not put in 

sufficient effort. Interviewer ratings of the respondent’s level of interest in the study in 

the interviewer debriefing questionnaire reflect this impression that they expressed at the 

debriefing meeting. Only 42.6% of the youngest age group was “very” interested in the 

study. This level of interest was significantly lower than for the middle age group 

(70.1%, z=-2.94, p<.05); the oldest age group showed no significant difference from the 

other age groups (55.9% “very” interested). Further, in the respondent debriefing, 53.2% 

of the younger age group indicated that they saved “just about all” of their records. This 

was significantly lower than for the oldest age group (77.1%, z=-2.22, p<.05); the middle 

age group showed no significant difference from the other age groups (66.2% saved “just 

about all” records). 

• Some respondents from the younger age group lived with parents and had to help their 

parents understand why this data was being collected. 

• Some household members without a job said they did not buy anything—interviewers 

thought that some did buy something but did not report it. 

• For one older respondent, a family member was discouraging the respondent from 

sharing documents.

• Some respondents were not interested in waiting for receipts to be scanned. They were 

comfortable with giving the receipts to the interviewer rather than waiting (but the 

interviewers followed instructions to scan at the household). 

Interviewers shared some respondent comments and their own observations and inferences on 

respondent concerns regarding online records and confidentiality of records information: 

• One interviewer commented that some people did not know bills could be online. 

• Some respondents were more comfortable writing information from online records in the 

diary. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 43

• Some respondents did not want to share the total balance owed, and instead felt more 

comfortable writing in the monthly payment in the diary. 

• Interviewers thought that some respondents used the diary as a primary vehicle for 

sharing information the respondent viewed as sensitive. 

• Some interviewers wondered whether respondents may not be aware of automatic 

payment plans if they are not alerted when a bill or payment is posted. 

• Interviewers noted that respondents without online accounts who pay over the phone will 

not have any paper receipts or records.

• Many respondents stated they did not receive a statement or bill in the mail. This seemed 

odd to interviewers. 

• Interviewers thought that there may be a generational difference, with older respondents 

more reluctant to share bank statement and bills than younger respondents. However, an 

examination of the data does not support this impression. The percentage of statements 

and bills (record types of utility bill, credit card statement, and bank statement) submitted 

by respondents of different age groups was examined. Of all records submitted, 0.6% 

(n=4 of 696 records) in the youngest age group, 1.0% in the middle age group (n=13 of 

1312 records), and 3.1% in the oldest age group (n=21 of 672 records) were statement 

and bills. Binomial tests of proportions indicate that respondents in the oldest age group 

submitted a higher percentage of statements and bills than both the youngest (z=-3.45, 

p<.05) and the middle (z=-3.41, p<.05) age groups.8

 

On other topics as well, interviewers provided several observations: 

• There were several respondents who repeated receipt information in the diary, even 

though they were advised not to include receipted information in the diary. 

• Some respondents asked about whether or not to include items purchased with public 

assistance funds (SNAP/WIC/Link/etc.). Respondents did scan these records and they 

were included in the analysis of the data. 

• Most respondents used the receipt wallets (this was a key tool). 

• There appeared to be a wide range of responses to respondent debriefing questions on the 

amount it time it took to save records for the study. Some respondents said they did not 

 

8 The household with more than 200 lottery tickets was excluded from this analysis because the number of 

these records greatly increased the percentage of “other” records for the older age group (from 24.1% with 

this household included to 0.9% with this household excluded). 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 44

take any time to save receipts. Some would say it took a number of hours to collect a 

handful of receipts. 

Effects of Interviewer and Experience on Records Collection

The interviewers who conducted data collection for the Feasibility Study were all experienced 

NORC interviewers. However, none had previously used scanners to collect data in the field. 

One of the interviewers had also participated in the Pilot Study and was familiar with the study 

protocols from that experience. The Feasibility Study protocol was different from other studies 

that the interviewers had worked on because the primary emphasis was the collection of financial 

records, rather than the administration of survey questions. The record keeping instructions to 

the respondents were scripted in detail in the protocol booklet. However, the nature of the study 

allowed for unscripted discussion with the respondent to address issues such as the role of other 

household members and to answer respondent questions. 

Analyses were conducted to explore whether success at records collection changed over the 

course of the field period. It is possible that interviewers would improve in their ability to collect 

records as they gained experience in the field. However, it is also possible that fatigue with the 

study or changes in how closely they followed the scripted protocol over time would lead to 

decline in records collection. For this set of analyses, each of the interviewer’s cases were 

divided into early cases and late cases based on the date on which Visit 1 was completed.9

 

Approximately half of each interviewer’s cases were classified as early and half as late. The 

calendar date that divided the early and late cases depended on each interviewer’s caseload and 

dates worked. Table 24 shows descriptive statistics on records collection early and late in the 

field period. 

 

9 One household with an unusually high number of records (n=232 records, primarily lottery tickets) was 

excluded from the analysis. One interviewer who completed only one case was also excluded. Further, it 

should be noted that in all but four cases, the same interviewer completed both Visit 1 and Visit 2.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 45

Table 24: Records Collected Early and Late in the Field Period

Time in Field Period Mean Median Min Max

Early

(n=73)

Scanned Records 18.2 16.0 0 88

Diary Records 7.5 6.0 0 54

Total Records 25.7 22.0 4 100

Late

(n=77)

Scanned Records 18.4 16.0 0 48

Diary Records 5.1 2.0 0 31

Total Records 23.5 22.0 1 67

Total

(n=150)

Scanned Records 18.3 16.0 0 88

Diary Records 6.2 4.0 0 54

Total Records 24.5 22.0 1 100

Note: Two cases were excluded from analysis, one in which the number of records collected was extremely 

high (n=232 records) and one that was completed by an interviewer who had completed only one case.

An ANOVA indicated that the number of scanned records, diary records, and total records 

collected did not differ significantly by time in the field period. However, the difference in mean 

number of diary records collected (7.5 early in the field period vs. 5.1 late in the field period) 

was marginally significant (F=3.8, p<.06). These findings suggest that success in collecting 

records was similar across the field period. Neither effects of greater experience nor of study 

fatigue were readily apparent in the data.

Analyses were also conducted to examine whether the extent to which interviewers varied in 

their success at collecting records. Table 25 shows descriptive data on records collection by 

interviewer. An ANOVA revealed no significant differences in collection of scanned records, 

diary records or total records by interviewer. That is, interviewers performed similarly in their 

ability to collect records from respondents. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 46

Table 25: Collection of Scanned and Diary Records by Interviewer

Interviewer Mean Median Min Max

A (n=41)

Scanned Records 18.9 19.0 1 45

Diary Records 4.7 4.0 0 20

Total Records 23.6 23.0 1 47

B (n=21)

Scanned Records 20.5 18.0 1 48

Diary Records 7.0 3.0 0 31

Total Records 27.5 22.0 8 67

C (n=31)

Scanned Records 16.1 14.0 0 52

Diary Records 7.9 4.0 0 54

Total Records 24.0 19.0 5 69

D (n=22)

Scanned Records 19.4 19.5 0 41

Diary Records 7.3 6.0 0 28

Total Records 26.6 24.5 1 52

E (n=22)

Scanned Records 18.8 16.5 0 88

Diary Records 5.7 3.0 0 28

Total Records 24.5 19.5 1 100

F (n=13)

Scanned Records 15.5 18.0 1 27

Diary Records 5.0 6.0 0 17

Total Records 20.5 22.0 2 44
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 47

Conclusions and Lessons Learned from the Feasibility Study 

The objectives of the Feasibility Study were to examine the breadth and detail of information 

contained on financial records, the relevance of the information on the records to CE and other 

BLS surveys, and the possible information disclosure risks with collection respondents’ financial 

records, and respondent attitudes about the study. We address these issues in this section as well 

as limitations of the study and lessons learned. 

Availability of Scanned Records and Diary Records. A total of 152 respondents participated in 

the Feasibility Study. These respondents provided 2,985 financial records, an average of 19.6 

per household (ranging from 0 to 232 per household). These records contained 9,903 items. 

Receipts were the most common record type that was collected in the scanned records, 86.3% of 

the total records. Most of the items purchased were in the Food category, both in terms of the 

number of items (70.0% of items) and in the share of total expenditures (36.8% of total). Cash 

(38.2%) and credit/debit card payments (35.4%) were the most common forms of payment. 

Among respondents from different demographic groups, the effect of age on mean records 

collected was marginally significant, with the youngest group of respondents collecting 

somewhat fewer records than the older age groups. 

Of the 152 households, 124 returned at least one diary. In all, 181 diaries were received from 

respondents. The diaries contained a total of 954 records, an average of 6.3 per household 

(ranging from 0 to 54 records per household). The most common reason that respondents gave 

for not providing a record for a purchase was that no record was provided by the outlet (44.7%). 

In a small percentage of cases (5.1%), respondents were not willing to provide the record. 

Respondents completed most of the requested information in the diary concerning details of the 

purchase. Purchase date, outlet name, total price and payment type were provided for most 

purchases, at least 94.3% of the time; whether tax was paid was noted only 84.4% of the time. 

More than half of the purchases recorded in the diary were paid for in person with a cashier 

(57.9%) and more than half were paid for with cash (59.7%). Among respondents from different 

demographic groups, those in the lowest income group submitted fewer diary records than those 

in the highest income group; those in one-person household submitted fewer diary records than 

those in households with three or more persons. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 48

The Feasibility Study showed that for the total expenditures that respondents reported they were 

able to provide records for most of them. The median share of expenditures accounted for in the 

records is about 80%. Although some respondents accounted for more of their expenditures in 

the diary rather than through records, most respondents provided records for the large majority of 

household’s total expenditures. The majority of the items on the records could be fully coded by 

coders, with only about 10% of items being partially coded or uncoded after adjudication had 

taken place. More than 90% of items could be matched at least at the top level of coding. 

Availability of Information Relevant to the CE and Other BLS Surveys in the Scanned 

Records. A data collection methodology for the CE that relies primarily on the collection of 

financial records will be most effective if the majority of the information that is needed is 

available on the records. Certain data elements relevant to the CE Surveys appear available on 

most records. Purchase date, outlet name, total price, payment type, outlet type, and item price 

could be discerned on more than 84% of records (excluding those that were illegible). However, 

some key pieces of information required by the CE Surveys were either difficult to interpret from 

the records or were entirely unavailable on the records. Details such as type of meal and outlet 

type for Food and Drinks Away from Home are sometimes not available on receipts. Whether 

Food and Drinks for Home Consumption are fresh or frozen, for example, is often difficult to 

determine. In addition, details about clothing items (such as gender, age) are sometimes not 

present on the records. Such information may be present on some receipts that include product 

codes; use of the product codes would require information from outlets on the meaning of the 

codes in order to more fully categorize the items on the receipts.

An important consideration for a data collection methodology that relies on the collection of 

financial records is types of expenditures for which respondents have difficulty collecting 

records. Information on such expenditures would have to be collected in a follow-up interview 

or in a diary. Respondents mentioned that public transportation fares, concession stand 

purchases, vending machine purchases, and items “bought off the street” were among 

expenditures for which there was no record to collect. Respondents often recorded these 

expenditures in the diary that was provided. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 49

With regard to information relevant to BLS surveys other than the CE Surveys, such as TPOPS, 

an examination of outlet information did indicate that this type of information (outlet name, 

address and phone number) is available on at least 85% of the records. However, the availability 

of this information varied widely by type of outlet. Outlet information is more widely available 

on records from brick and mortar outlets than other outlet types. 

Availability of PII on the Records. A potential issue with collecting expenditure information by 

collecting respondent records is the risk to respondent confidentiality through the accidental 

disclosure of the personally identifying information that was on the records. An examination of 

the availability of PII on the records indicates that this information is not available on most 

records. Name was present on nearly 10% of records and the last 4 digits of the credit card 

appeared on 41.4% of records. However, purchaser address, phone number, and full credit card 

number were relatively rare. 

Respondent Attitudes about the Study. Overall, respondents were able to complete the study 

requirements with little difficulty. The interviewers noted in the interviewer debriefing 

questionnaire that most respondents had a very good understanding of the task (68.7%) and put a 

great deal of effort (57.8%) into the task. They noted most seemed very interested in the study 

(58.7%). 

Most respondents reported in the debriefing that they thought it was very easy or somewhat easy 

(81.6%) to collect records for the study and nearly two-thirds (65.1%) indicated that they 

provided just about all their records. Respondents who did not provide just about all of their 

records often cited that they forgot or lost the record or did not get a record of the purchase. 

More than a third of respondents (39.5%) reported that there were expenditures for which they 

could not collect a receipt. The examples mentioned were expenditures for which receipts are 

generally not issued, such as for transportation expenses and vending machines. Respondents 

also said they sometimes did not collect a receipt. These instances ranged from smaller 

purchases to larger ones. Respondents often said they forgot or lost these records. 

Respondents varied in the amount of effort they put into getting other household members to 

participate. Only a third (34.5%) put a great deal of effort into getting other household members 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 50

to collect records. Nearly half (44.9%) thought that others put in only a little or no effort at all 

into record keeping. 

When asked if there were any records that they were not comfortable sharing, the large majority 

of respondents stated that there were not (80.4%). For the approximately one-fifth of 

respondents with concerns, bank and credit card statements were often mentioned as records they 

felt uncomfortable sharing. Respondents who did not want to share all their records cited 

confidentiality as a concern (62.1%), the amount of financial information on the records (58.6%), 

and privacy of the records (27.6%). Interviewer responses to their debriefing questions are 

consistent with the respondents’ answers. Interviewers noted that almost all respondents seemed 

very comfortable sharing store receipts (96.0%) and bills (87.7%), but somewhat fewer were 

very comfortable sharing bank statements (75.7%), credit card statements (76.3%), and check 

registers (78.6%). 

Limitations of the Feasibility Study, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations. The use of 

records data has the potential to improve data quality by reducing respondent error that the CE 

Diary and Quarterly Surveys may be subject to, such as to poor diary keeping by respondents, 

and inaccurate estimation. However, the records data may be subject to other quality issues that 

should be addressed. Although respondents appeared willing to provide records, it is difficult to 

know whether the set of records that respondents provided fully represented the records that they 

had. Respondents may have forgotten about some records they had or chosen not to tell the 

interviewer about certain records. Further, it is not known whether records are missing at

random or whether particular types of records are more likely to be omitted during record 

keeping. Comparisons of the Feasibility Study data with other sources of expenditure data may 

address these issues. 

It should be noted that the sample for the study was a convenience sample. Those who were not 

comfortable providing records could choose not to participate. Once respondents were recruited 

into the study, it was very rare (only a handful of cases) for the respondent to drop out; attrition 

was generally due to difficulty scheduling and recontacting the respondent. At Visit 1, no 

respondent chose not to continue the study after learning details about the type of records that 

would be collected. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 51

Coding issues can also contribute to data quality issues. Coders noted that cash register receipts 

abbreviate items in a manner that can be hard to decipher. We used level of match between two 

coders as a measure of overall accuracy. However, this measure is limited. We do not have 

“gold standard” data on the true identity of the items to compare with codes assigned by the 

coders. It is possible that misunderstanding of how to categorize some items occurred. 

Although difficult to assess, the effect of local knowledge on interpretation of the records data 

should be considered. Since all respondents and project staff were from the Chicago area, it is 

possible that knowledge of particular store names and items sometimes provided greater 

certainty to coders on how to categorize items. At a national level, such knowledge could be 

difficult to apply. However, it would be possible to develop a reference database that assists 

coders in interpreting the receipt data.

Some records that respondents collected could not be fully analyzed due to scanning issues. 

Close to 10% of records did not scan well. The scanner used was generally sufficient for the task 

but equipment that is faster and easier to use would have improved the data collection process. It 

would have been possible to spend additional time at the respondent’s home to check scan 

quality but the process of checking the quality of each scanned image is slow and would have 

increased respondent burden. Although a number of alternatives were considered during the 

development phase of the project, the scanner selected was the best device in terms of 

portability, speed and cost that also met security requirements. 

The Access database provided by BLS and modified by NORC provided a good template for 

data entry and coding of the records data. The database tables organized input by household, 

diary records, scanned records, and items from the scanned records. The data entry fields were 

easy to understand and navigate. Based on NORC’s experience with this data entry system we 

make several recommendations:

• Set up the data entry system to require a response for every field of the data entry form. 

Coders could mistakenly leave a field blank and not notice this error. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 52

• For verbatim fields (those without predetermined response categories), provide a check 

box for each one to allow the coder to mark that the information required in that field is 

missing from the financial record or that the coder is uncertain of what to enter.

• It is difficult to interpret the level of absent information for data elements such as tax and 

shipping. In the location where the study was conducted, both food and non-food items 

are taxable. Tax would not be applied to some purchases, such as movie tickets, lottery 

tickets, and bus and train fare. Yet, the records show only about 65% of records included 

a charge for tax. 

• Scanned records are subject to much variation in quality. Some records are completely 

readable, others unreadable, and others partially readable. A field for data entry of scan 

quality would provide useful information for data cleaning purposes. 

Finally, our experiences from the Feasibility Study with the record keeping tools suggest 

potential improvements that can be implemented:

• Both field interviewer comments and respondents’ answers to the debriefing questions 

indicate that the receipt wallet was a useful tool for record keeping. Almost all 

respondents said they used the receipt wallet (94.1%) and many also used the diary 

(79.6%). Providing individual receipt wallets and a diary for expenditures without 

records are two important elements to facilitate respondent record keeping.

• Since some respondents will not feel comfortable sharing sensitive financial documents 

(such as bank and credit card statements, check registers) the Visit 2 protocol could 

incorporate additional scripted questions aimed at securing the information from these 

records. Respondents who do not wish to provide copies of certain documents may be 

willing to answer questions posed by the interviewer about key pieces of information on 

these documents. 

• The diary that was provided to respondents included data entry pages that were intended 

to allow for recording of a variety of expenditures for which the respondent did not 

provide a receipt, ranging from smaller purchases (such as coffee and transit tickets) to 

major expenditures (such as rent payments). The diary pages could be tailored to the 

different types of expenditures that respondents might record in them. The pages could 

include cues to prompt respondents about the information that BLS is requesting and that 

should be recorded in the diary if there is no record. For example, diary pages that are 

devoted to online purchases could be formatted specifically to remind respondents about 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT | 53

the types of records that they may have online and provide fields for entry of the relevant 

information from the online records. 

• The diary was a hard copy instrument provided to respondents. However, it would be 

possible to provide an online diary for respondents to use. An online diary could 

streamline the process of data entry, since respondents would enter their information 

directly into the online database. Further, encouraging respondents to go online to 

complete the diary could ease the process of collecting online records.
Appendix A

Recruitment Script and Screener
Appendix A. Recruitment Script and Screener

BLS HOUSEHOLD SPENDING STUDY

INITIAL TELEPHONE SCRIPT

Hello. My name is [NAME] and I work for the NORC at the University of Chicago. I’m calling 

about your interest in the Household Spending Study. Is this a good time? Let me tell you a 

little bit about what we are going to do and then you can let me know if you are still interested. 

NORC is conducting this study to try and improve the way information is collected for the 

Consumer Expenditure Survey, which is conducted several times a year by the federal 

government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics to gather information on the buying habits of American 

consumers. The results from the Consumer Expenditure Survey help set the Consumer Price 

Index, which tracks the current rate of inflation. NORC is conducting this study to explore 

whether collecting receipts and other financial records could improve the expenditure survey’s 

accuracy and usability. 

For this particular study, we will be asking respondents to collect the receipts and other 

financial records, such as bills, and bank and credit card statements, for everything they spend 

during a two-week period and share the information on those records with us. We will provide 

you with the materials you need to keep the records together, and you will not need to come in 

to any of our offices – one of our interviewers will come to meet you to give you the materials 

and explain how to use them. The interviewer will visit again at the end of the two-week 

period, to scan or make copies of the records and to ask you a few questions about your 

experiences as a participant. We will not take your receipts.

Your answers will always be kept private, and none of the information that we collect about 

you will be used for any purpose other than research.. BLS will not receive your name or any 

other identifying information about you. Information from the records you provide will be 

entered into a computer file. The records data file and survey data will be stripped of all 

identifiers before we send it to BLS. We encourage participants to be as complete as possible in 

documenting their spending, but you are never required to provide any record that you would 

feel uncomfortable sharing. Also, your participation is completely voluntary and you may 

choose to skip any questions the interviewer asks or stop participating at any time.

The first visit will take about 30 minutes and the second visit about 60 minutes, for a total of 1 

1⁄2 hours, plus we estimate up to one hour will be necessary to collect and organize your 

financial records. You will be given $40.00 at the end of the second interview. 

Would you like to participate?

[IF YES] Great. I am going to ask you a few background questions to confirm your 

eligibility. Then we can schedule an appointment time for you.  GO TO SCREENER 

QUESTIONS
Appendix A. Recruitment Script and Screener

[IF NO] That's okay. We appreciate your call. But for research purposes, we would like 

to know why you choose not to participate. NOTE TO RECRUITER: IF POTENTIAL 

RESPONDENT DECIDES AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE STUDY THAT HE/SHE DOES NOT 

WANT TO PARTICIPATE, ASK WHY NOT AND OFFER TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. RECORD 

THE RESPONDENT’S REASONS FOR NOT PARTICIPATING BELOW:

Thank you. Have a nice day.
Appendix B

Protocol Booklet
HOUSEHOLD 

SPENDING STUDY

CASE ID __________________________________

FI NAME __________________________________

FI ID# __________________________________

INTERVIEW #1

DATE _______/_______/ 2012

START TIME _______:_______ AM/PM

DISPOSITION CODE

INTERVIEW #2

DATE _______/_______/ 2012

START TIME _______:_______ AM/PM

DISPOSITION CODE
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 1 

VISIT 1

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR VISIT 1

□ INTERVIEWER PROTOCOL BOOKLET (THIS BOOKLET)

□ CONSENT FORM (TWO COPIES)

□ RECORDS STORAGE BOX (PENS/PENCILS, RECEIPT WALLETS, FILE FOLDERS)

□ DIARIES (CHECK NUMBER IN HOUSEHOLD ON FACESHEET)

INFORMED CONSENT #1

PROVIDE RESPONDENT WITH A COPY OF THE INFORMED CONSENT FORM #1. ASK THE 

RESPONDENT TO READ THE FORM (OR READ IT TO HIM/HER, DEPENDING ON 

RESPONDENT PREFERENCE), ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, AND HAVE THE RESPONDENT 

SIGN THE FORM. LEAVE A SEPARATE COPY OF THE FORM WITH THE RESPONDENT.

□ SIGNED CONSENT FORM #1 COLLECTED

□ COPY OF CONSENT FORM #1 GIVEN TO RESPONDENT

□ RECORD TIME: _____________:____________AM/PM

INSTRUCTIONS ON RECORD KEEPING

a. REVIEW MEMBERS OF CONSUMER UNIT

i. We would like you to collect spending records for the people in your household 

who are age 14 or older. According to my records, there are [NUMBER – LOOK 

AT SCREENER INFORMATION] people in your household. How many are age 14 

and older? I will write their names here as a reminder that we would like to get 

spending records for these people.

□ RECORD NUMBER OF RECORD KEEPERS IN HOUSEHOLD: ___________

□ FILL IN NAMES ON FILE FOLDERS, ON RECORD BOX AND IN DIARIES WITH 

RESPONDENT’S HELP
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 2 

What is his/her

relationship to you? 

What is his/her

relationship to 

you? 

What is his/her

relationship to 

you? 

What is his/her

relationship to 

you? 

What is his/her

relationship to 

you? 

Respondent/Person 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5

1. Spouse

2. Girl/Boyfriend

3. Parent

4. In-law 

5. Aunt/Uncle

6. Son/Daughter

7. Foster Child 

8. Niece/Nephew

9. Grandchild

10. Cousin

11. Boarder

12. Roommate

13. Other non-related 

person

14. Sibling

15. Self

16. Grandparent

1. Spouse

2. Girl/Boyfriend

3. Parent

4. In-law 

5. Aunt/Uncle

6. Son/Daughter

7. Foster Child 

8. Niece/ Nephew

9. Grandchild

10. Cousin

11. Boarder

12. Roommate

13. Other nonrelated person

14. Sibling

15. Self

16. Grandparent

1. Spouse

2. Girl/Boyfriend

3. Parent

4. In-law 

5. Aunt/Uncle

6. Son/Daughter

7. Foster Child 

8. Niece/ Nephew

9. Grandchild

10. Cousin

11. Boarder

12. Roommate

13. Other non-related 

person

14. Sibling

15. Self

16. Grandparent

1. Spouse

2. Girl/Boyfriend

3. Parent

4. In-law 

5. Aunt/Uncle

6. Son/Daughter

7. Foster Child 

8. Niece/ Nephew

9. Grandchild

10. Cousin

11. Boarder

12. Roommate

13. Other nonrelated person

14. Sibling

15. Self

16. Grandparent

1. Spouse

2. Girl/Boyfriend

3. Parent

4. In-law 

5. Aunt/Uncle

6. Son/Daughter

7. Foster Child 

8. Niece/ Nephew

9. Grandchild

10. Cousin

11. Boarder

12. Roommate

13. Other nonrelated person

14. Sibling

15. Self

16. Grandparent

b. OVERVIEW OF RECEIPT COLLECTION TASK

i. There are several different kinds of records I want you to collect for the next two 

weeks. First, I would like you to keep receipts or other records for all purchases 

you and anyone else in your household makes. Here are some examples of 

places where you may make a purchase and should collect the record. GIVE 

RESPONDENT THE SHOWCARD. 

• Grocery stores

• Department stores

• Restaurants

• Gas stations

• Drug stores

• Online purchases

As you can see, we would like you to keep the receipt for any purchase you make 

over the next two weeks.

I am also interested in other financial records that would be helpful in 

determining your household’s spending over the two-week period. So in addition 

to receipts for specific purchases, please collect records such as:

• Bills—utility bills, phone bills, bills for any services you use

• Credit card statements

• Bank statements

• Automatic payments
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 3 

• Online statements 

• Online order confirmations 

Some of your records may be online records. Please print those out and store 

them along with the paper receipts and records you receive. You may notice that 

the same purchase might show up on more than one record. For example, if you 

go to a store and pay for something with your credit card, you will get a store 

receipt. That same purchase will also show up on your credit card statement. 

Don’t worry about giving us duplicate information. To make it easier for you, feel 

free to just include both records.

c. RECORDS STORAGE BOX AND RECEIPT WALLETS 

i. I am leaving this Records Storage Box with you to make it easier for you to keep 

track of your records. Inside the box you will see there is a separate file folder 

and diary for each person on your list. 

ii. We know it can be difficult to remember to put your records in the box if you do 

not do it right away. I encourage you and other household members to keep 

your receipt wallet with you as you go about your day. 

iii. Put in your receipts immediately after a purchase and then put the receipts in the 

box at the end of the day. Also include printed confirmations from any online 

purchases or payments. 

iv. I have put a separate file in the box for each family member to put their records 

in.

□ WRITE NAME ON BOX

d. WHEN TO USE THE DIARY AND HOW TO USE IT

i. Now let me show you the diary. Sometimes you will not have a receipt for a 

purchase. For example, you do not get a receipt when you buy something from a 

vending machine. You can also use the diary if you lose a receipt. Also, if you are 

not able to print a paper copy of any online purchase confirmations or automatic 

payments, please enter those in the diary as well.

□ TAKE OUT THE DIARIES, POINT OUT THE FOLLOWING:

• DIARY KEEPER NAME ON EACH DIARY

• REVIEW INSTRUCTION PAGE

• USE EXAMPLE DIARY PAGE TO POINT OUT EACH FIELD TO BE COMPLETED

ii. If there is a record or receipt in which you do not want to share the details with 

us, please write that purchase in the diary.

e. DATES OF DATA COLLECTION

i. I would like the household to collect records for the entire household for two 

weeks. You will begin collecting receipts today and continue through the end of 
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 4 

the day on [DATE]. I will come back on [DATE] to make copies of the records and 

collect the diary, and to ask you a few questions.

f. INSTRUCTIONS FOR OTHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

i. Remember that we want spending records for everyone in the household who is 

14 or older. It is up to you to decide whether you will collect records from 

everyone to put in the box and make diary entries for them or whether you will 

ask each person in your household do this themselves. But please note that only 

you, as the household respondent, would be paid.

g. ANSWER RESPONDENT QUESTIONS

□ RECORD TIME: ________:_________ AM/PM 

h. CONFIRM APPOINTMENT FOR SECOND VISIT

i. I have in my appointment book that my second visit with you is scheduled for 

[DATE/TIME]. I will call to confirm this appointment with you a few days in 

advance.

 

□ MAKE SURE SECOND APPOINTMENT IS MARKED IN THE RESPONDENT’S DIARY

□ RECORD DATE AND TIME 

 RETURN APPOINTMENT

 DAY __________________________ 

 DATE ____________/____________/2012

 TIME ____________:____________ AM/PM 

i. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR QUESTIONS

i. If you have any questions over the next two weeks, please feel free to call. My 

number is here in the diary and also on the Records Storage Box.

WRAP-UP

a. ANSWER RESPONDENT QUESTIONS. I would be happy to answer any questions 

that you have. 

b. REMIND OF FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT. Thank you for your help with this study.

□ RECORD END OF INTERVIEW #1 TIME: ________:_________ AM/PM
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 5 

CHECK UP

FOLLOW-UP CALL TO RESPONDENT

CALL RESPONDENT 3 -4 DAYS AFTER FIRST VISIT

□ RECORD TIME OF CALL ________:_________ AM/PM 

□ RECORD DATE OF CALL ________/_________/ 2012

□ HAS RESPONDENT BEGUN THE RECORD-KEEPING TASK?

□ DOES RESPONDENT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

□ INTERVIEWER WILL CALL BACK NEXT WEEK WITH A REMINDER ABOUT THE 

SECOND APPOINTMENT.

REMIND RESPONDENTS TO ONLY USE THE DIARIES IF THEY DO NOT HAVE RECEIPTS.

ASK THEM TO CHECK ONLINE RECORDS AND EITHER PRINT OR NOTE IN THE DIARY. THIS 

INCLUDES ANY AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS THAT WENT THROUGH DURING THE TWO 

WEEKS.

REMINDER CALL

□ RECORD TIME OF CALL ________:_________ AM/PM 

□ RECORD DATE OF CALL ________/_________/ 2012

□ NEXT APPOINTMENT IS...

 DAY __________________________ 

 DATE ____________/____________/2012

 TIME ____________:____________ AM/PM 

□ ASK RESPONDENT TO PLEASE HAVE ALL HOUSEHOLD SPENDING RECORDS READY 

FOR THE VISIT.

o COLLECT RECEIPTS AND OTHER RECORDS AND PUT IN THE BOX.

o COMPLETE THE DIARY FOR PURCHASES WITH NO RECEIPT.

o PRINT OUT ANY ONLINE RECORDS.
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 6 

VISIT 2

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR VISIT 2

□ INTERVIEWER PROTOCOL

□ CONSENT FORM #2 (TWO COPIES)

□ PAYMENT RECEIPT

□ $40 CASH IN ENVELOPE

□ LAPTOP AND SCANNING EQUIPMENT

MATERIALS TO TAKE AWAY FROM VISIT

□ SCANNED OR ELECTRONIC RECEIPTS AND STATEMENTS

□ DIARIES

□ SIGNED CONSENT FORM

□ SIGNED PAYMENT RECEIPT

INFORMED CONSENT

PROVIDE RESPONDENT WITH A COPY OF THE INFORMED CONSENT FORM #2. ASK 

THE RESPONDENT TO READ THE FORM (OR READ IT TO HIM/HER, DEPENDING ON 

RESPONDENT PREFERENCE), ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, AND HAVE THE 

RESPONDENT SIGN THE FORM. LEAVE A SEPARATE COPY OF THE FORM WITH THE 

RESPONDENT.

□ SIGNED CONSENT FORM #2 COLLECTED

□ COPY OF CONSENT FORM GIVEN TO RESPONDENT

□ RECORD TIME: ________:_________ AM/PM

REVIEW OF RECORDS 

Let’s take a look at the records and receipts that you gathered for today’s visit.

a. LOOK AT CONTENTS OF RECORDS STORAGE BOX, LOOK FOR EACH HOUSEHOLD 

MEMBER’S DIARY. ARE ALL DIARIES ACCOUNTED FOR? DO THE DIARY ENTRIES 

LOOK COMPLETE—ALL ITEMS ANSWERED? IF ANY DIARIES ARE MISSING, ASK  

I see that NAME’S diary is missing. Do you know where that is?

□ ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS’ DIARIES ARE COLLECTED

b. IS EACH HOUSEHOLD MEMBER’S RECORDS FILE IN THE BOX? IF ANY FILES ARE 

MISSING, ASK  I see that NAME’s file folder is missing. Do you know where 

that is?

□ ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS’ RECORDS FILES COLLECTED
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 7 

I will now make copies of the records and receipts you placed in the box. Before I get 

started, do you have any records or receipts online such as for automatic payments or 

confirmations of online orders that we need to collect? IF YES You could print those 

online records out for me while I make copies of the records in the box. IF RESPONDENT 

PREFERS, HE/SHE COULD ADD ONLINE RECORDS TO THE DIARY WHILE YOU SCAN THE 

PAPER DOCUMENTS.

SCANNING PAPER DOCUMENTS

□ SCAN DOCUMENTS

USE THE SHOW CARD TO REMIND RESPONDENT ABOUT THE THINGS WE WANT TO 

COLLECT.

RETRIEVING ELECTRONIC RECORDS

IF RESPONDENT CANNOT PRINT THE ONLINE RECORDS, HELP RESPONDENT UPLOAD 

ONLINE FILES TO SECURE PROJECT FTP SITE OR HAVE RESPONDENT RECORD IN DIARY. 

□ RECORD TIME: ________:_________ AM/PM

RESPONDENT DEBRIEFING

□ Now I would like to ask you a few questions about your experiences keeping 

records and receipts for this study. RECORD TIME: ________:_________ AM/PM
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 8 

RESPONDENT DEBRIEFING QUESTIONNAIRE

Burden of Keeping Records

QUESTION 1.How easy or difficult was it for you to collect records for all your purchases 

during the two-week period?

 Very easy

 Somewhat easy

 Neither easy nor difficult

 Somewhat difficult

 Very difficult

QUESTION 2.How much time did you spend altogether over the past two weeks 

collecting and organizing records for this study?

 _______ MINUTES 

 _______ HOURS 

 RESPONDENT DID NOT SPEND ANY TIME COLLECTING RECORDS OR RECEIPTS

QUESTION 3.[IF R USED THE DIARY] How much time did you spend altogether over the 

past two weeks recording items in the diary?

 _______ MINUTES 

 _______ HOURS 

 RESPONDENT DID NOT USE DIARY

Completeness of Record-keeping 

Now I want to ask you about all the purchases you made during the last two-weeks. 

Think about all the purchases you made during the study period for which you have a 

record. 

QUESTION 4.Of those records you obtained, do you think you were able to save...? 

 Just about all  GO TO QUESTION 6

 Most

 Some

 A few

 Or just about none
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 9 

QUESTION 5.[IF NOT “Just about all” RECORDS SAVED] Why were you not able to save 

all the records?

QUESTION 6. Were there some types of purchases that you couldn’t save records for? 

 YES 

 NO  GO TO QUESTION 7

QUESTION 6A. What kind of purchases were you not able to save records for?

QUESTION 7. Were there any purchases for which you could have collected a record but 

did not?

 YES 

 NO  GO TO SKIP BEFORE QUESTION 8

QUESTION 7A. What kind of purchases were those?

QUESTION 7B. Why did you not collect a record?
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 10

SKIP: IF RESPONDENT REPORTS ANY PURCHASES WITH NO RECORD, THAT IS, IF 

QUESTION 4 IS NOT “Just about all” or QUESTION 6=YES or QUESTION 7=YES, THEN ASK

QUESTION 8. OTHERWISE, GO TO QUESTION 10. 

QUESTION 8. Did you record all of the purchases that you did not have a record for in 

the diary? 

 YES  GO TO QUESTION 10

 NO 

QUESTION 9. Why were you not able to write all the purchases that did not have a 

record in the diary?

 

QUESTION 10. Did you receive any bank statements or credit card statements 

during the last two weeks? These can be paper or online.

 YES 

 NO

QUESTION 11. Did you put those statements...?

 In the records storage box?  GO TO QUESTION 12

 In your receipt wallet?  GO TO QUESTION 12

 Somewhere else (please specify)  GO TO QUESTION 12

 DID NOT SAVE STATEMENTS 

QUESTION 11A. [IF NOT SAVED] Why not? 
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 11

The Respondent’s Usual Payment and Record-keeping Practices

QUESTION 12. Now I want to learn about forms of payment you use when you 

make a purchase. Think about all the purchases you made in the last two months, 

whether in-person at a store, online, by telephone, or by mail order. Did you pay for 

anything with ...? [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 Cash 

 Credit card

 Debit card

 Electronic payment service, such as PayPal or BillPay

 Automatic withdrawals or payments

 Another form of payment (please specify). WRITE IN BOX

QUESTION 13. I would like to find out what you usually do with receipts, bills, bank 

or credit card statements, and other financial documents that you receive. When 

you are not participating in our study, what do you usually do with...? 

a. Paper bills, receipts, and bank or credit card statements that you receive? 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY] 

 Save all or almost all of them

 Save them for purchases over a certain amount

 Save them for items you might want to return

 Do not tend to save them

 Something else (please specify)

QUESTION 14. Where do you save these paper records? Do you put these 

documents...? [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 In your wallet, purse, or briefcase

 In a box or bag

 In a designated spot in your home or office

 In a file cabinet

 Somewhere else (please specify)

 RESPONDENT DOES NOT STORE RECORDS AT ALL

 R STORES RECORDS, BUT NOT IN A SYSTEMATIC WAY 
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 12

b. What do you usually do with electronic or e-mail bills, receipts and bank or 

credit card statements that you receive? [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 Save all or almost all of them

 Save them for purchases over a certain amount

 Save them for items you might want to return

 Leave/save them in online account to refer back to

 Do not tend to save them

 Something else (please specify) WRITE IN BOX BELOW

 RESPONDENT DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY ELECTRONIC OR E-MAIL 

BILLS/RECEIPTS

QUESTION 15. Where do you save these electronic records? [CHECK ALL THAT 

APPLY]

 Print them out and store a paper copy

 Save an electronic file on your computer

 Leave them in the website or e-mail account to refer back to

 Something else (please specify)

 RESPONDENT DOES NOT STORE RECORDS AT ALL

 R STORES RECORDS, BUT NOT IN A SYSTEMATIC WAY

QUESTION 16. Do you keep a check register or other record of paper or electronic 

checks that you write? 

 YES

 NO

 RESPONDENT DOES NOT WRITE CHECKS

The Respondent’s Use of the Records Storage Box and Diary

QUESTION 17. When you were keeping records for this study, did you use the 

records storage box that was provided for you? 

 YES  GO TO QUESTION 18 

 NO 
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 13

QUESTION 17A. [IF R DID NOT USE BOX] Why not?

QUESTION 18. Did you use the diary?

 YES  GO TO QUESTION 19 

 NO 

QUESTION 18A. [IF R DID NOT USE THE DIARY] Why not?

QUESTION 19. Did you use the receipt wallet that was provided for you?

 YES  GO TO QUESTION 20 

 NO 

QUESTION 19A. [IF R DID NOT USE THE WALLET] Why not?

QUESTION 20. How could we make it easier for you to keep records for this study?
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 14

SKIP: ASK THESE NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS IF THERE ARE OTHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 

WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN RECORD-KEEPING, THAT IS, THOSE AGES 14 AND 

OLDER. IF NOT, GO TO QUESTION 26.

Other Household Members

QUESTION 21. Did you ask other members of your household to provide records 

for the study?

 YES  GO TO QUESTION 22

 NO 

 NO OTHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS IN HOUSEHOLD

QUESTION 21A. [IF NO] Why not?

QUESTION 22. Overall, how comfortable would you say other household members 

felt about sharing their records for this study?

 Very comfortable

 Somewhat comfortable

 Somewhat uncomfortable

 Very uncomfortable 

QUESTION 23. Over the two weeks in which you collected records, how much 

effort did you put into getting other household members to collect their records?

 A great deal of effort 

 Some effort

 A little effort

 No effort at all
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 15

QUESTION 24. Overall, how much effort do you think other household members

put into collecting their records for the study?

 A great deal of effort 

 Some effort

 A little effort

 No effort at all

 EFFORT DIFFERED BY HOUSEHOLD MEMBER (PLEASE EXPLAIN)

QUESTION 25. About how many of the records were you able to get from each 

household member?

 All or almost all their purchases

 Most of them

 Some of them

 A few of them

 Or none or almost none of their purchases

 DIFFERED BY HH MEMBER (PLEASE EXPLAIN):

Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns

QUESTION 26. We were interested in a variety of records, including receipts, bank 

statements, credit card statements, check registers, or any other records that would 

provide information on household spending. Were there any records you were not 

comfortable sharing with us? 

 YES 

 NO  GO TO QUESTION 27

QUESTION 26A. [IF YES] What types of records? [CODE RESPONDENT’S OPENENDED ANSWER.]

□ Bank statements

□ Credit card statements

□ Check register

□ Other (please specify)
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 16

QUESTION 26b. Could you explain why you were not comfortable sharing some of 

your records?

 Confidentiality concerns

 Too personal

 Too much financial information on the documents

 Something else (please specify)

QUESTION 27. Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your

experiences participating in this study?

□ RECORD TIME: ________:_________ AM/PM

WRAP-UP

ANSWER RESPONDENT QUESTIONS

THANK YOU AND PAYMENT  I would like to offer you $40 in appreciation for your 

time. I have a receipt for you to sign acknowledging this payment. Thank you for 

participating in this study.

□ COLLECT SIGNED RECEIPT

□ COMPLETE INTERVIEWER DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS WHEN YOU PREPARE 

SUMMARY OF CASE

□ RECORD END OF INTERVIEW TIME: ________:_________ AM/PM
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 17

INTERVIEWER DEBRIEFING

QUESTION 1.How would you rate the respondent’s understanding of the recordkeeping task?

 Very good

 Good 

 Fair

 Poor 

QUESTION 2.How much effort did the respondent put into the record-keeping task?

 A great deal of effort 

 A fair amount of effort

 A little effort

 No effort at all

QUESTION 3.How comfortable do you think the respondent felt about sharing financial 

records for this study?

Very 

comfortable

Somewhat 

comfortable

Somewhat 

uncomfortable

Very 

uncomfortable

a. Store receipts

b. Bank statements

c. Credit card statements

d. Check register

e. Bills

QUESTION 4.How well organized were the records that the respondent had prepared 

for your visit? Think of things you observed such as 

□ Very organized

□ Somewhat organized

□ Slightly organized

□ Not at all organized 

QUESTION 4A. Were records filed by household member or not?

 Filed by household member

 Not filed by household member
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 18

QUESTION 4B. Were each household member’s diary and records filed in box or did 

you have to ask for it?

 Each household member’s diary and records were in box

 Had to ask for diary and records

QUESTION 4C. Were papers stuffed in, wrinkled, or stacked neatly?

 Stuffed in or wrinkled

 Stacked neatly

QUESTION 5.How interested was the respondent in the study?

 Very interested

 Somewhat interested

 Slightly interested

 Not at all interested 

QUESTION 6. Were there any electronic records that you needed to download or print 

from the respondent’s online or e-mail records?

 Yes

 No
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 19

QUESTION 7.Did you have any technical difficulties downloading or printing these 

online or e-mail records?

 Yes  Please explain

 No

QUESTION 8.Did you have any technical difficulties scanning any paper documents?

□ Yes  Please explain

□ No

QUESTION 9.Did you have any other technical issues with the records collection?

□ Yes  Please explain

□ No

QUESTION 10. Please record any other comments or observations you have about 

this case.
Appendix B. Protocol Booklet 20

FI ATTESTATION

I ATTEST TO THE FOLLOWING: 

I CAREFULLY FOLLOWED THE RESPONDENT SELECTION PROCEDURE. 

I READ ALL QUESTIONS EXACTLY AS WORDED.

I USED NEUTRAL PROBES AND PROVIDED CLARIFICATION WHEN NECESSARY.

I ACCURATELY RECORDED CLOSED AND OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS.

I WAS RESPECTFUL OF THE RESPONDENT.

I WILL KEEP THE RESPONDENT'S IDENTITY AND RESPONSES CONFIDENTIAL. 

FI SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________

DATE: _______/_______/ 2012

PLEASE COMPLETE FINAL RECORD OF CALL and ASSIGN DISPOSITION CODES
Appendix C

Frequently Asked Questions
2 

Appendix C. Frequently Asked Questions

HOUSEHOLD SPENDING STUDY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the study about?/What is the Consumer Expenditure Survey?

The purpose of the Household Spending Study is to discover whether incorporating the collection of 

printed records into the Consumer Expenditure Survey will improve the survey’s accuracy and usability. 

The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE) provides information on the buying habits of American 

consumers. The CE is used to calculate the Consumer Price Index, which in turn is used to determine 

the current rate of inflation and to set government policies like the levels of Social Security payments, 

cost-of-living increases, and income-tax brackets.

Who is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for 

measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to 

collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decisionmaking. You can learn more about BLS at its website, www.bls.gov. 

Who is NORC?

NORC is a not-for-profit social science research organization affiliated with the University of Chicago. You can 

learn more about NORC at its website, www.norc.org, or call one of the study directors, Lisa Lee at (312) 759-

4284 or Micah Sjoblom at (312) 759-4028. 

Do I have to participate?

Participation is voluntary. You may choose whether or not you want to be in this study. If you decide to be in 

the study, you may refuse to answer any question you do not want to answer or to stop participating at any 

time.

How much will I be paid?

You will be given $40.00 after you complete the second interview.

How long will the study take?

The first visit will take about 30 minutes and the second visit about 60 minutes, for a total of 1 1⁄2 hours. We 

estimate that you will spend up to 1 hour in between visits collecting and organizing your financial records.

Why should I participate?

By participating in this study you can help make sure that the Consumer Expenditure Survey collects the most 

complete and accurate data possible. This study tests an important new method of collecting information on 

household expenditures—by asking respondents to save records such as receipts and bank statements and to 

share the information on those records in place of depending heavily on asking respondents to recall their 

expenditures in an interview. BLS will use what it learns from this study to improve the way it conducts the 

Consumer Expenditure Survey.

What kinds of records am I being asked to share?
3 

Appendix C. Frequently Asked Questions

We would like to obtain any financial records that show your household’s spending over the two-week study 

period. This would include store receipts, information from your check register, bank and credit card 

statements, bills, and any other records that document what you spent. Some of these records may be paper 

documents while others may be electronic or online. We encourage participants to be as complete as possible 

in documenting their spending, but you are never required to provide any record that you would feel 

uncomfortable sharing. 

Who do I contact if I have questions about my rights as a respondent?

If you have any questions regarding your rights as a study participant, you may call Kathleen Parks, the NORC 

IRB Administrator, toll free, at 866-309-0542. 

How is my privacy protected?

The BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the information you provide for 

statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full extent permitted by law. In 

accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public 

Law 107-347) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form 

without your informed consent. The Privacy Act notice describes the conditions under which information 

related to this study will be used by BLS employees and agents. I can read the Privacy Act to you if you like.

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), you are hereby notified that this study 

is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), under authority of 29 U.S.C. 2. 

Your voluntary participation is important to the success of this study and will enable the BLS to better 

understand the behavioral and psychological processes of individuals, as they reflect on the accuracy of BLS 

information collections. The BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the 

information you provide for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full 

extent permitted by law. In accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency 

Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public Law 107-347) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be 

disclosed in identifiable form without your informed consent.

How will you protect the information on my receipts?

Everyone working on this project is required by law to protect your privacy. We will scan your documents 

onto secure devices and use encrypted means of data transmission and data storage at all times. Only 

authorized staff members from NORC who are working on this project will have access to the scanned versions 

of your documents. All our procedures must meet strict legal standards set by federal laws regarding human 

subject protections (28 CFR Part 46), and confidentiality (28 CFR Part 22). 

What information will be shared with the government/with BLS?

NORC will not provide unedited purchase receipts to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Before we provide receipt 

information to the Bureau, we will remove any personally identifying information, including names, full or 

partial credit card information, and customer ID numbers. Information from the spending diaries will be 

entered into a computer file and will also be stripped of personally identifiable information. Your name will 

not be associated with any of the responses you give to the survey questions
4 

Appendix D 

Visit 1 Consent Form
5 

CONSENT #1—BLS/NORC Household Spending Study Page 5 

Appendix D. Visit 1 Consent Form

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is conducting research to increase the quality of BLS surveys. This study is 

intended to suggest ways to improve the procedures the BLS uses to collect survey data. 

NORC at the University of Chicago, a social science research organization, is conducting the Household 

Spending Study on behalf of BLS. As part of this study, you will collect records for everything you spend over a 

two-week period and share the information on those receipts with us. During today’s visit, the interviewer 

will give you the study materials and explain their use. The interviewer will return in two weeks to scan or 

copy the records and to ask you a few questions about your experiences while participating in the study. 

The BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the information you provide for 

statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full extent permitted by law. In 

accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public 

Law 107-347) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form 

without your informed consent. The Privacy Act notice on the back of this form describes the conditions 

under which information related to this study will be used by BLS employees and agents.

During this research you may be observed. 

We estimate it will take you an average of 2 1⁄2 hours to participate in this research (30 minutes for today’s 

visit, about 60 minutes for the second visit, and up to one hour in between visits to gather and organize your 

financial records). 

If you agree to participate, at the end of the second visit you will receive $40 as a token of appreciation for 

your participation in the study. 

Your participation in this research project is voluntary, and you have the right to stop at any time. If you agree 

to participate, please sign below.

If you have any questions about the study, please ask your interviewer. You may also contact the Project 

Director, Micah Sjoblom, at 312-759-4028 or sjoblom-micah@norc.org. If you have questions about your 

rights as a research participant, you may contact Kathleen Parks, the head of NORC’s Institutional Review 

Board at 866-309-0542. 
6 

CONSENT #1—BLS/NORC Household Spending Study Page 6 

Appendix D. Visit 1 Consent Form

I have read and understand the statements above. I consent to participate in this study. 

___________________________________ ___________________________

Participant's signature Date

___________________________________

Participant's printed name

___________________________________

Researcher's signature

OMB Control Number: 1220-0141

Expiration Date: [02/28/15] 

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), you are hereby notified that this study is sponsored by the 

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), under authority of 29 U.S.C. 2. Your voluntary participation is important 

to the success of this study and will enable the BLS to better understand the behavioral and psychological processes of individuals, 

as they reflect on the accuracy of BLS information collections. The BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will 

use the information you provide for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full extent permitted 

by law. In accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public Law 107-

347) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form without your informed consent.
7 

Appendix E. Diary

Appendix E 

Diary
Appendix E. Diary

HOUSEHOLD SPENDING STUDY

DIARY KEEPER’S NAME

Your participation in the Household Spending Study helps us to improve the quality of the Consumer Expenditure Surveys, which tell us about 

the products and services that are bought by the people in the United States.

Please record in this diary your household’s expenses and purchases for which you have no receipt or other record for the following period:

I will return on at .

If you have any questions, please call:

Field Interviewer’s Name: Telephone:

Field Manager’s Name: Telephone:

Project Director’s Name: Telephone:

Acting as a collecting agent for the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

OMB Control No: 1220-0141

SUID
Appendix E. Diary

Instructions

1. Use this diary to write down things you buy for 

which you have no receipt or other record.

2. For each purchase, please enter the following 

information:

 Who made the purchase

 When the purchase was made

 Where the purchase was made

 How it was paid for

 How the purchase was made (for 

example—in person, mail order, online)

 Total price paid (and whether tax was 

included in the price)

 Why you don’t have a receipt

3. If you buy more than one item at a time, you 

do not have to record the price of each item, 

only the total spent on the entire purchase.

Please record information for everyone in your 

household who is 14 years or older:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

This is an example of how to fill out the diary page 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me

 Another household member: Who? __Lisa__________________ __Jan_ __8___, 20_12_ Month day year

Where was the purchase made?

 Grocery store

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ __67_._35_

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: ___________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: ____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

Enter the total 

price paid. You 

do not need to 

enter the 

amounts of any 

individual items 

– just the total. 

If you are keeping 

track of purchases 

for other people in 

your household, 

write in the name of 

the purchaser here.

Although we would like to obtain 

copies of all receipts you collected 

during the study period, we realize 

there may be some receipts you 

do not wish to share.

Examples: drug store; vending 

machine; gas station; online 

(such as amazon.com).
Appendix E. Diary

This page intentionally blank.
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #1 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #2 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #3 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #4 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #5 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #6 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #7 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #8 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #9 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #10 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #11 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #12 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #13 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix E. Diary

Diary Entry #14 

 

Who made this purchase? When was the purchase made?

 Me 

 Another household member: Who? ________________________ _____ _____, 20____ Where was the purchase made? Month day year

How did you pay for this purchase? What was the total purchase price?

 Cash  Online payment service

 Credit card  Other

 Debit card Please explain: ____________________ 

 Check ________________________________

 Automatic payment 

$ _______.______ 

Does this price include tax?

 Yes  No

How was this purchase made? Why don’t you have a record for this purchase?

 In person with a cashier or sales clerk

 In person at a self-checkout or vending machine

 Online

 Phone order

 Mail order

 Some other way

 Please describe: __________________________

 ________________________________________

 ________________________________________

 Lost or misplaced receipt

 Left behind at place of purchase 

 None provided

 Did not want to provide receipt for this study

 Another reason

 Please explain: _____________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________

 __________________________________________
Appendix F

Visit 2 Consent Form
Appendix F. Visit 2 Consent Form

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is conducting research to increase the quality of BLS 

surveys. This study is intended to suggest ways to improve the procedures the BLS uses to 

collect survey data. 

NORC at the University of Chicago, a social science research organization, is conducting the 

Household Spending Study on behalf of BLS. During today’s visit, the interviewer will scan or 

copy any records you collected over the last two weeks and ask you a few questions about your 

experiences while participating in the study. 

The BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the information you 

provide for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full 

extent permitted by law. In accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and 

Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public Law 107-347) and other applicable Federal 

laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form without your informed consent. 

The Privacy Act notice on the back of this form describes the conditions under which 

information related to this study will be used by BLS employees and agents.

During this research you may be observed. 

We estimate today’s visit will take about 60 minutes. 

If you agree to participate, at the end of today’s visit you will receive $40 as a token of 

appreciation for your participation in the study. 

Your participation in this research project is voluntary, and you have the right to stop at any 

time. If you agree to participate, please sign below.

If you have any questions about the study, please ask your interviewer. You may also contact 

the Project Director, Micah Sjoblom, at 312-759-4028 or sjoblom-micah@norc.org. If you 

have questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact Kathleen Parks, the 

head of NORC’s Institutional Review Board at 866-309-0542. 
Appendix F. Visit 2 Consent Form

I have read and understand the statements above. I consent to participate in this study. 

___________________________________ ___________________________

Participant's signature Date

___________________________________

Participant's printed name

___________________________________

Researcher's signature

OMB Control Number: 1220-0141

Expiration Date: [02/28/15] 

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), you are hereby notified that this study is 

sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), under authority of 29 U.S.C. 2. Your 

voluntary participation is important to the success of this study and will enable the BLS to better understand the 

behavioral and psychological processes of individuals, as they reflect on the accuracy of BLS information 

collections. The BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the information you provide 

for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full extent permitted by law. In 

accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public Law 

107-347) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form without your 

informed consent.
Appendix G

Receipt
Appendix G. Receipt

 

Receipt for Cash Payment

Household Spending Study

I __________________________________ have received $40.00 in cash for participation 

(Please print respondent’s name) in a study on consumer spending.

Received from: ________________________________________

 (Interviewer’s name)

Signature: ________________________________________

 (Respondent’s name)

Date_______________________________ 
Appendix H

Expenditures Database Structure
Appendix H. Expenditures Database Structure

Expenditures Database Structure

Table name Field name Description Responses

Household Info Household Number Field-assigned household number 6-digit ID

Household Size Number of household residents 14 and over Integer

Persons Household Number Field-assigned household number 6-digit ID

Person Number Field-assigned ID for persons 8-digit ID (household number plus person ID)

Identity Relationship of person to respondent Respondent, Husband/Wife, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, 

Son/Daughter, Foster Child, Parent, In-Law, 

Aunt/Uncle, Niece/Nephew, 

Grandson/Granddaughter, Cousin, Brother/Sister, 

Roomer/Boarder, Housemate/Roommate, Other 

Unrelated Person, Missing

Gender Gender of person Male, Female, Missing

Diaries Diary ID Diary ID (allows for multiple-diary households) Integer

Person Number Household member keeping diary 8-digit ID (household number plus person ID)

Diary Records Diary Record ID Single diaried expenditure Integer

Diary ID Diary in which diary record was entered Integer

Purchaser-diary keeper

Purchaser-other 

Purchaser unknown

Was the purchaser the diary keeper?

Person ID of purchaser (listed only if different 

from diary keeper) 

Is the purchaser known?

Yes/No

8-digit ID (household number plus person ID) 

Yes/No

Purchase date

Purchase data unknown

Recorded date of purchase

Is the purchaser date unknown?

Date

Yes/No

Where purchased? Verbatim description of purchase location Text

How made? How purchase was made In person (cashier), In person (vending/self), 

Online, Phone order, Mail order, Other, Left blank 

by R

Total price Amount paid Currency

Tax included? Is tax included in this purchase? Yes/No

How paid for? How purchase was paid for Cash, Credit card, Debit card, Check, Online 

service (PayPal), Other, Left blank by R 
Appendix H. Expenditures Database Structure

Why no record? Reason why this purchase has no record Lost/misplaced, Left behind, Not provided, 

Unwilling to provide, Other, Left blank by R 

No record (other) Verbatim for Why no record? Text

How paid (other) Verbatim for How paid for? Text

How made (other) Verbatim for How made? Text

Record Level Record ID Unique record ID Integer

Person Number

No items

Field-assigned person number for purchaser

Does this record have items?

8-digit ID (household number plus person ID)

Yes/No

Date

Date unknown

Date on record

Is record date unknown?

Date

Yes/No

Record Type Type of record Receipt, Utility Bill, E-mail Receipt, Website 

Printout, Package Invoice, Service Invoice, Credit 

Card Statement, Credit Card Charge Slip, Bank 

Statement, Checkbook Register, Written Notes, 

Other

Payment Type Method of payment for this expenditure Unknown, Cash, Check, Credit Card, Debit Card, 

Online Automated Payment, Online One-Time 

Payment, Gift Card, Return/Exchange, Other 

Service Dates -

Beginning

Beginning of service period for utilities, etc. Date

Service Dates - End End of service period for utilities, etc. Date

Outlet Where item purchased Text

Outlet Type Type of store Brick and Mortar, Internet, Phone/Catalog, Other

Tax Amount 1 Tax amount 1 listed Currency

Tax Rate 1

Tax Amount 2 

Tax Rate 2

Tax rate 1 applied

Tax amount 2 listed

Tax rate 2 applied

Percentage

Currency

Percentage

Shipping Cost Shipping cost Currency

Other Fees Amount of any other fees (e.g., tip) Currency

Total Price Total amount paid Currency

Outlet Address Is outlet address on record? Yes/No

Outlet Phone# Is outlet phone # on record? Yes/No

Outlet ID Blank Blank

Product Codes Is the product code listed? Yes/No

PIIName Is purchaser name on record? Yes/No
Appendix H. Expenditures Database Structure

PIIAdd Is purchaser address on record? Yes/No

PIIPhone Is purchaser phone number on record? Yes/No

PIICC# Is full credit card number on record? Yes/No

PIICCLast4 Last 4 digits of credit card on record Yes/No

CustID# Is customer ID on record? Yes/No

Notes

Scan

Input

Coder notes

Blank

Blank

Text

Blank

Blank

Item Level Item ID Unique code for each item on a record Integer

Record ID Record on which item is found Integer

Verbatim Exact text associated with item on record Text

Price Regular price for the item Currency

Rebate Price Amount item was discounted by Negative Currency

Categorizable

Uncodable 

Blank

Not fully codable but able to place item into ≤ 3 

categories 

Blank

Yes/No

Unidentifiable

CE_ID

Not codable

Blank

Integer

Blank

CECAT1 Category 1 Text

CECAT2 Category 2 Text

CECAT3 Category 3 Text

CECAT4 Category 4 Text

CEzoom Full item code Integer

Comments Coder comments Text
Appendix I

CE Coding Scheme
Appendix I. Coding Scheme

LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4

Cereals and cereal products

Bakery products

Beef

Pork

Other meats

Poultry

Fish and seafood

Eggs

Fresh milk and cream

Other dairy products

Fresh fruits

Fresh vegetables

Processed fruits

Processed vegetables

Sugar and other sweets

Fats and oils

Miscellaneous foods

Nonalcoholic beverages

Food prepared by consumer unit on out-of-town trips

Food away from home

Alcoholic beverages

Mortgage interest and charges

Property taxes

Maintenance, repairs, insurance, other expenses

Rented dwellings

Other lodging

Natural gas

Electricity

Fuel oil and other fuels

Telephone services

Water and other public services

Personal services

Other household expenses

Laundry and cleaning supplies

Other household products

Postage and stationery

Household textiles

Furniture

Floor coverings

Major appliances

Small appliances, miscellaneous housewares

Miscellaneous household equipment

Men, 16 and over

Boys, 2 to 15

Women, 16 and over

Girls, 2 to 15

Children under 2

Footwear

Other apparel products and services

Cars and trucks, new

Cars and trucks, used

Other vehicles

Gasoline and motor oil

Vehicle finance charges

Maintenance and repairs

Vehicle insurance

ehicle rental, leases, licenses, and other charges

Public transportation

Health insurance

Medical services

Drugs

Medical supplies

Fees and admissions

Audio and visual equipment and services

Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment

ther entertainment supplies, equipment, and services

Personal care products and services

Reading

Education

Tobacco products and smoking supplies

Miscellaneous

Cash contributions

Life and other personal insurance

Pensions and Social Security

Food Food at home

Cereals and bakery products

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs

Dairy products

Fruits and vegetables

Other food at home

Housing

Shelter

Utilities, fuels, and public services

Household operations

Housekeeping supplies

Household furnishings and equipment

Entertainment

Vehicle purchases (net outlay)

Other vehicle expenses

Personal insurance and pensions

Owned dwellings

Apparel and services

Men and boys

Women and girls

Transportation

Healthcare
Appendix J

Coding Rules
Appendix J. Coding Rules

I. Assigning records to purchasers

• The interviewers use cover sheets to separate the purchases of one HH member from 

another. Note that the cover sheets are sometimes in backwards order so that the last page in 

the PDF file is the cover sheet for person 1.

• Occasionally, a receipt with Person 1’s name on it is mixed in with Person 2’s records or vice 

versa. Always assign person number according to cover sheet. 

• There are some households with multiple record keepers in which the records are not sorted by 

purchaser. If we cannot tell which HH member made the purchase:

o Assign the record to person 1. 

o Click the Purchaser Unknown button.

II. Returns, free items, rebates, etc.

• For free items enter the full price in the Full Price field and the amount discounted as a negative 

value in the Rebate Price field:

o Full Price = $2.99 Rebate Price = -$2.99

• For discounted items, enter the full price under Full Price and the amount discounted as a 

negative value under Rebate Price. For example, an item on which the respondent got one

dollar off would be entered like this:

o Full Price = $2.99 Rebate Price = -$1.00

o Do not enter a rebate price if the discount is already accounted for in the listed item 

price. The full price minus the rebate price must reflect what the person actually paid 

for the item. This customer paid $1.99 for the item.

o This pattern is found on Jewel-Osco® store receipts where customers received discounts 

for store cards. In these cases, the regular price is listed (full price) along with a separate 

negative price (rebate price). Other grocery stores that use store cards simply list the 

price actually paid and a note saying how much the original price was and how much the 

customer saved. In these cases, it is unnecessary to enter a rebate price.

• Coupons are tricky because they usually appear on the receipt as a separate item and 

sometimes pertain to a particular item but sometimes are just a general coupon for the whole 

purchase. In both cases, do not enter the coupon as an item. If it is a general coupon for the 

whole purchase, just indicate in the notes on the records page that there was a $3 coupon off 

the total. If the coupon is for a particular item, enter coupon amount as a negative value in the 

rebate price for the item. 

o Full Price = $3.99 Rebate Price = -$1.00

• For returned items or voids, enter a negative value in the Full Price field and leave the Rebate 

Price blank:

o Full Price = -$2.99 Rebate Price= [blank]

Make entries in the ‘Item Notes’ field to indicate that an item was free, discounted, coupon, return, or 

void.

• Sometimes there are other types of negative prices listed on a receipt. These include

o Bag discount (10 cents)

o General coupon that pertains to no particular item (as discussed above) 
Appendix J. Coding Rules

o General overall discount for unspecified reason

Even if these are listed as items, do not enter them into the database as items. Instead, just put a note in 

the record notes section saying “10 cent bag discount off total,” “$3.00 store coupon off total.”

Total Price on the record level should always reflect the final price paid.

III. Personally identifiable information section yes/no boxes

What counts as buyer name (besides obviously the buyers full name)?

• Signature 

• Buyer first name alone or buyer last name alone 

• A name that is clearly supposed to be the buyer name even if it does not match the person 

number’s name the receipt is assigned to; if you happen to know what the household member’s 

name is supposed to be and know there is a discrepancy with what is on the receipt, note it. 

What counts as customer ID?

• Anything called customer ID

• Last 4 numbers of store card (Jewel-Osco® and Dominicks® does this)

What counts as last 4#s of credit card (besides last 4#s of credit card)?

• Account number that equals last 4#s of credit card

• Last 4#s of food stamp card

• Last 4#s of gift card 

IV. Deposit slips and pay stubs do not get entered.

V. Bills (NOT payments)

• Use “statement date” for record date, even if “statement date” falls outside period, the bill 

should still be entered as long as the payment due date or service period falls within the study 

period. If statement date is unavailable, use another date that was written somewhere on the 

bill and note what type of date you used in the notes.

• Do not forget to enter the service dates. For example, an electricity bill may be for the electricity 

you used from June 6th-July 6th. 

• Payment method will often be unknown since you don’t know if/how they actually ended up 

making the payment.

VI. Credit Card Statements AND Bank Statements

• Use “statement date” for record date, even if “statement date” falls outside study period 

• Indicate service dates (should be a one-month long period).

• Only enter items that took place in the 2-week study period. 

• Do not enter entries for which there are receipts or diary records.

• Code all items on the credit card/bank statement as “credit card statement entry.”

• Do not enter deposits.

• List “unknown” as payment method.

VII. Food Stamps/WIC/Link/EBT FS

• Categorize under “other” for payment methods. 
Appendix J. Coding Rules

• Write “food stamps” in notes section or other consistent word to represent government food. 

• Often people pay half with food stamps and half with cash. This often is because not all of their 

items are food stamp eligible. If this happens, indicate other and indicate food stamps and cash 

in notes section.

VIII. Do not enter items that say the total is $0.00.

• This is often found for condiments at fast food restaurants (e.g., ketchup, no pickle).

• This is different from free items that at one point have a cost attached to them but then a 

rebate of the same cost ($5.75, -$5.75), such as Panera Bread® free items. 

VIIII. Write everything in item verbatim including product codes, 1 @ 10/$10.00, 3.79lb @ 1.19lb 

EXCEPT “You saved...”

X. Lottery tickets.

Record type=other, put “lottery ticket” in notes.

Payment method=unknown, since we cannot tell how they paid.

Purchase date appears on the tickets that look like receipts. For the tickets that you scratch, there’s no 

date, so that date is ‘unknown.’

At item level, item description is lottery ticket. Put in the price reflected on the ticket. 

Category=miscellaneous. 

XI. Entering tax amounts

• There are two fields for entering tax amounts in the record level form. Sometimes a record will 

have more than two tax rates. If so, enter additional taxes in the notes field.

• Even though liquor and water taxes are listed on receipt as items, do not enter them as items. 

Just put them in the two tax rates fields and and any after the two in the notes. 

XII. Restaurant Tips

• Do not enter tips at a restaurant as an item (even if I wrongly taught you too).

• Write the tip in the other fees section on the records page. 

XIII. All product codes should be entered. 

XIV. Food

• All food purchased from the grocery store is food at home

• All food purchased in a regular restaurant, fast food restaurant, or coffee shop is food away 

from home. 

• A non-alcoholic beverage is a non-alcoholic beverage regardless of whether it was purchased at 

home or in the grocery store (e.g., both Starbucks® coffee and soda from the grocery store are 

coded the same). 
Appendix K 

Tables
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 120

Appendix K Table of Contents

PRESENT AND ABSENT TABLES........................................................................................125

Table K1. Presence of Date of Purchase (Records and Dairies)................................................................125

Table K2. Presence of Outlet Name (Records and Diaries)......................................................................125

Table K3. Presence of Price (Records and Diaries)...................................................................................125

Table K4. Presence of Payment Method (Records and Diaries) ..............................................................125

Table K5. Distribution of Payment Method (Records).............................................................................126

Table K6. Distribution of Payment Method (Diaries)...............................................................................126

Table K7. Presence of Tax (Records and Diaries).....................................................................................126

Table K8. Presence of Outlet Type (Records)...........................................................................................127

Table K9. Distribution of Outlet Type (Records)......................................................................................127

Table K10. Presence of Record Type (Records) .......................................................................................127

Table K11. Distribution of Record Type (Records)...................................................................................127

Table K12. Presence of Tax Rate (Records)..............................................................................................128

Table K13. Presence of Shipping Cost (Records)......................................................................................128

Table K14. Presence of PII (Records)........................................................................................................128

Table K15. Distribution of How Purchase was Made (Dairies) ................................................................. 128

Table K16. Distribution of Why there was no Record (Dairies)................................................................129

Table K17. Presence of Item Price ............................................................................................................129

PRESENT AND ABSENT BY RECORD TYPE ......................................................................130

Table K18. Presence of Outlet Information by Record Type ....................................................................130

Table K18. Presence..................................................................................................................................131

Table K19. Presence of PII by Record Type...............................................................................................132

Table K20. Presence of Record Information by Record Type ...................................................................135

CROSSTABULATIONS..........................................................................................................138

Table K21. Distribution of Demographic Characteristics for Participants (N=152) .................................. 138

Table K22. Record Type by Demographics................................................................................................139

Table K23. CECAT by Record Type. ..........................................................................................................142

Table K24. Record Type by Outlet Type....................................................................................................145

Table K25. Record Type by Payment Method...........................................................................................146
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 121

Table K26. Payment Method by Demographics.......................................................................................148

Table K27. CECAT by Payment Type .........................................................................................................152

Table K28. Records by Household Size ....................................................................................................156

Table K29. Records by Identity.................................................................................................................156

Table K30. Diaries by Household Size ......................................................................................................156

Table K31. Diaries by Identity ..................................................................................................................157

Table K32. PII Variables by Records Type ................................................................................................. 157

Table K33. Outlet Information by Record Type .......................................................................................161

Table K34. Outlet Information by Record Type .......................................................................................163

Table K35. Outlet Address Present by Outlet Type..................................................................................163

Table K36. Outlet Phone Number Present by Outlet Type......................................................................163

Table K37. Coding Success.......................................................................................................................164

Table K38. Sample of Uncodeable Items ................................................................................................. 165

Table K39. Mismatch at verification .........................................................................................................166

Table K40. Mismatch at verification by Record Type ...............................................................................166

Table K41. Percentage of Items Requiring Adjudication ..........................................................................167

Table K42. Expenditure Share for Records and Diaries by Household .....................................................168

Table K43. Expenditure Share by CECAT 1................................................................................................172

Graph K1. Mean number of records per household by day in sample period. ........................................173

DEBRIEFING QUESTIONNAIRE ...........................................................................................174

RESPONDENT DEBRIEFING..............................................................................................................174

Table K44. Number of Record Keepers....................................................................................................174

Table K45. Relationship of Record Keeper #2 to Respondent..................................................................174

Table K46. Relationship of Record Keeper #3 to Respondent..................................................................175

Table K47. Relationship of Record Keeper #4 to Respondent..................................................................175

Table K48. Relationship of Record Keeper #5 to Respondent..................................................................176

Table K49. QUESTION 1: How Easy or Difficult was it for you to Collect Records? ..................................176

Table K50. QUESTION 2: Time Spent Collecting Records (minutes) ........................................................177

Graph K2. Histogram of Time Spent Collecting Records..........................................................................178

Table K51. QUESTION 3: Time Spent on Diary (minutes) .........................................................................179

Graph K3. Histogram of Time Spent Completing Diaries.........................................................................180

Table K52. QUESTION 4: Amount of Records Saved .................................................................................181
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 122

Table K53. QUESTION 5: Why were you not able to save all the records?...............................................182

Table K54. QUESTION 6: Were there purchases for which you could not save records? ........................183

Table K55. QUESTION 6A: What kinds of purchases were those?............................................................183

Table K56. QUESTION 7: Were there purchases you could have collected record for but did not?........185

Table K57. QUESTION 7A: What kinds of purchases were those?............................................................185

Table K58. QUESTION 7B: Why did you not collect a record?..................................................................186

Table K59. QUESTION 8: Are all purchases without record in diary? .......................................................186

Table K60. QUESTION 9: Why were you NOT able to write all purchases without a record....................187

Table K61. QUESTION 10: Did you receive any bank or credit card statements? ....................................187

Table K62. QUESTION 11: Did you put those statements...? ....................................................................187

Table K63. QUESTION 11: Somewhere else: specify where?....................................................................188

Table K64. QUESTION 11A: [IF NOT SAVED], Why not?............................................................................188

Table K65. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with CASH..............................................................................188

Table K66. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with CREDIT CARD ................................................................. 189

Table K67. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with DEBIT CARD ..................................................................189

Table K68. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SERVICE ..................................189

Table K69. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWALS OR PAYMENTS...............189

Table K70. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with OTHER............................................................................189

Table K71. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with OTHER: Specify .............................................................190

Table K72. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: save ALL OR MOST................................190

Table K73. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: OVER CERTAIN AMOUNT........................191

Table K74. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: ITEMS TO RETURN................................. 191

Table K75. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: DO NOT SAVE..........................................191

Table K76. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: OTHER....................................................191

Table K77. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: OTHER: Specify ......................................192

Table K78. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in WALLET, PURSE, or BRIEFCASE ..............................192

Table K79. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in BOX or BAG ............................................................193

Table K80. QUESTION 14: Paper Records: R saves in DESIGNATED SPOT in HOME or OFFICE ...............193

Table K81. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in FILE CABINET..........................................................193

Table K82. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in OTHER ....................................................................193

Table K83. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in OTHER: Specify......................................................194

Table K84. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R DOES NOT STORE................................................................. 194
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 123

Table K85. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R STORES BUT HAS NO SYSTEM.............................................195

Table K86. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: SAVE ALL OR ALMOST ALL.............................................195

Table K87. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: Save for PURCHASES OVER CERTAIN AMOUNT.............195

Table K88. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: Save for ITEMS YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETURN...........195

Table K89. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: LEAVE/SAVE IN ONLINE ACN..........................................195

Table K90. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: DO NOT TEND TO SAVE..................................................196

Table K91. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: OTHER ............................................................................196

Table K92. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: OTHER: Specify...............................................................196

Table K93. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: DOES NOT RECEIVE ELECTRONIC RECORDS...................196

Table K94. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: PRINT AND STORE........................................197

Table K95. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: SAVE AN ELECTRONIC FILE..........................197

Table K96. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: LEAVE IN WEBSITE OR EMAIL ACN..............197

Table K97. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: OTHER .........................................................197

Table K98. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: OTHER: Specify.............................................198

Table K99. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: DO NOT STORE RECORDS.............................198

Table K100. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: STORES BUT NOT SYSTEMATIC ..................198

Table K101. QUESTION 16: Do you keep a check register? ......................................................................198

Table K102. QUESTION 17: Did you use the records storage box?...........................................................199

Table K103. QUESTION 17a: [IF R DID NOT USE BOX] Why not?..............................................................199

Table K104. QUESTION 18: Did you use the diary? ..................................................................................200

Table K105. QUESTION 18a: [IF R DID NOT USE DIARY] Why not?...........................................................200

Table K106. QUESTION 19: Did you use the receipt wallet? ....................................................................201

Table K107. QUESTION 19a: [IF R DID NOT USE WALLET} Why not?........................................................201

Table K108. QUESTION 20: How could we make it easier for you to keep records? ...............................201

Table K109. QUESTION 21: Did you ask other HH members for records?...............................................205

Table K110. QUESTION 21A [IF NO}, Why not? ........................................................................................205

Table K111. QUESTION 22: How comfortable were other HH members? ...............................................205

Table K112. QUESTION 23: Effort YOU put into getting other HH members to collect records ..............205

Table K113. QUESTION 24: Effort OTHER HH MEMBERS put into collecting records. .............................206

Table K114. QUESTION 24: Effort differed by HH member: Explain.........................................................206

Table K115. QUESTION 25: Amount of records from each HH member. .................................................206

Table K116. QUESTION 25: Amount of records: Differed by HH member: Explain..................................206
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 124

Table K117. QUESTION 26: Were there records you were not comfortable sharing? .............................207

Table K118. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: BANK STATEMENTS? ..............207

Table K119. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: CREDIT CRD STATEMENTS? ....207

Table K120. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: CHECK REGISTER? ...................207

Table K121. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: OTHER.....................................207

Table K122. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: OTHER: Specify .......................208

Table K123. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: CONFIDENTIALITY CONCERNS? ..............................208

Table K 124. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: TOO PERSONAL......................................................208

Table K125. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: TOO MUCH? ...........................................................208

Table K126. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: OTHER.....................................................................209

Table K127. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: OTHER: Specify .......................................................209

Table K128. QUESTION 27: Anything else you would like to share about the study?..............................210

FIELD INTERVIEWER DEBRIEFING....................................................................................................213

Table K129. FI QUESTION 1: Respondent Understanding........................................................................213

Table K130. FI QUESTION 2: Respondent Effort .......................................................................................213

Table K131. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing STORE RECEIPTS? ....................213

Table K132. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing BANK STATEMENTS?...............213

Table K133. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing CREDIT CRD STATEMENTS?.....214

Table K134. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing CHECK REGISTER? ...................214

Table K135. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing BILLS? ......................................214

Table K136. FI QUESTION 4: Respondent Organization...........................................................................214

Table K137. FI QUESTION 4A: Were records filed by household member? .............................................215

Table K138. FI QUESTION 4B: Were each household members records in box? .....................................215

Table K139. FI QUESTION 4C: Were papers stuffed in, wrinkled, or stacked neatly? .............................215

Table K140. FI QUESTION 5: Respondent Interest in Study......................................................................215

Table K141. FI QUESTION 6: Were there any electronic records you needed to download or print? .....215

Table K142. FI QUESTION 7: Any technical difficulties with electronic records? .....................................216

Table K143. FI QUESTION 8: Any technical difficulties scanning paper documents? ...............................216

Table K144. FI QUESTION 8: [IF YES] Please explain .................................................................................216

Table K145. FI QUESTION 9: Any other technical issues?.........................................................................216

Table K146. FI QUESTION 10: Other comments .......................................................................................217
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 125

PRESENT AND ABSENT TABLES

Table K1. Presence of Date of Purchase (Records and Dairies)

Note: If the date field was blank it was counted as absent.

Table K2. Presence of Outlet Name (Records and Diaries)

Table K3. Presence of Price (Records and Diaries)

Table K4. Presence of Payment Method (Records and Diaries)

Note: Absent is the sum of missing and “unknown”. 

Date of Purchase % (N)

Records Diary Entries

Present 94.7 (2567) 98.3 (938)

Absent 5.3 (143) 1.7 (16)

Total 100.0 (2710) 100.0 (954)

Outlet Name % (N)

Records Diary Entries

Present 89.3 (2420) 94.3 (900)

Absent 10.7 (290) 5.7 (54)

Total 100.0 (2710) 100.0 (954)

Price % (N)

Records Diary Entries

Present 98.3 (2664) 99.3 (947)

Absent 1.7 (46) 0.7 (7)

Total 100.0 (2710) 100.0 (954)

Payment Method % (N)

Records Diary Entries

Present 84.7 (2295) 99.7 (951)

Absent 15.3 (415) 0.3 (3)

Total 100.0 (2710) 100.0 (954)
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 126

Table K5. Distribution of Payment Method (Records)

How Paid For (Records)

N %

Cash 1024 38.2

Check 25 0.9

Credit or Debit Card 950 35.4

Online One-Time Payment 4 0.1

Gift Card 31 1.2

Return/Exchange 10 0.4

Other 251 9.4

Unknown 386 14.4

Total 2681 100.0

Note: Missing data = 29. 

Table K6. Distribution of Payment Method (Diaries)

How Paid For (Diary)

N %

Cash 568 59.7

Check 53 5.6

Credit Card 85 8.9

Debit Card 129 13.6

Online Service/PayPal 40 4.2

Left Blank by R 8 0.8

Other 68 7.2

Total 951 100.0

Note: Missing data = 3.

Table K7. Presence of Tax (Records and Diaries) 

Tax Included % (N)

Records Diary Entries

Present 64.9 (1758) 84.4 (805)

Absent 35.1 (952) 15.6 (149)

Total 100.0 (2710) 100.0 (954)
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 127

Table K8. Presence of Outlet Type (Records)

Outlet Type % (N)

Records

Present 88.7 (2403)

Absent 11.3 (307)

Total 100.0 (2710)

Note: Absent is where outlet type was not selected.

Table K9. Distribution of Outlet Type (Records)

Outlet Type

N %

Brick and Mortar 2337 97.3

Internet 27 1.1

Other 39 1.6

Total 2403 100.0

Note: Missing data = 307.

Table K10. Presence of Record Type (Records) 

Record Type % (N)

Records 

Present 99.4 (2694)

Absent 0.6 (16)

Total 100.0 (2710) 

Table K11. Distribution of Record Type (Records)

Record Type

N %

Receipt 2326 86.3

Utility Bill 21 0.8

E-Mail Receipt 15 0.6

Website Printout 10 0.4

Package Invoice 1 0.0

Service Invoice 7 0.3

Credit Card Statement 4 0.1

Credit Card Charge Slip 47 1.7

Bank Statement 15 0.6

Written Notes 9 0.3

Other 239 8.9

Total 2694 100.0

Note: Missing data = 16. Most items in the “other” category are lottery

tickets.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 128

Table K12. Presence of Tax Rate (Records)

Tax Rate 1 % (N)

Records

Present 29.4 (798)

Absent 70.6 (1912)

Total 100.0 (2710)

Note: Absent is where the field for tax rate was blank. 

Table K13. Presence of Shipping Cost (Records)

Shipping Cost % (N)

Records

Present 0.1 (3)

Absent 99.9 (2707)

Total 100.0 (2710)

Table K14. Presence of PII (Records)

Identifiable Information (Records)

Total N

(no missing) N Present % Present

Outlet Address 2447 2167 88.6

Outlet Phone 2436 2061 84.6

Product Code 2710 691 25.5

PII Name 2465 224 9.1

PII Address 2467 66 2.7

PII Phone Numbers 2464 34 1.4

PII Card Numbers 2465 7 0.3

PII Last 4 Digits of Credit Card 2466 1022 41.4

Customer ID 2467 269 10.9

Note: Missing data (yes/no button not selected) are not included in this table and vary across item.

Table K15. Distribution of How Purchase was Made (Dairies)

How Purchase Made (Diary)

N %

In person (cashier) 550 57.9

In person (vending/self) 103 10.8

Mail order 14 1.5

Online 101 10.6

Phone order 24 2.5

Left blank by R 21 2.2

Other 137 14.4

Total 950 100

Note: Missing data = 4. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 129

Table K16. Distribution of Why there was no Record (Dairies)

Why No Record (Diary)

N %

Left Behind 111 11.6

Lost/Misplaced 158 16.6

Not Provided 426 44.7

Unwilling to Provide 49 5.1

Other 86 9.0

Left Blank by R 123 12.9

Total 953 100

Note: Missing data = 1. 

Table K17. Presence of Item Price 

Item Price – Records % (N)

Items

Present 99.3 (8895)

Absent 0.7 (66) 

Total 100.0 (8961)
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 130

PRESENT AND ABSENT BY RECORD TYPE

Table K18. Presence of Outlet Information by Record Type

Presence of Outlet 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Receipt Utility Bill

N % N %

Outlet Name

Present 2282 98.1% 20 95.2%

Absent 44 1.9% 1 4.8%

Outlet 

Address

Present 2085 90.4% 8 47.1%

Absent 221 9.6% 9 52.9%

Outlet 

Phone#

Present 1989 86.7% 9 50.0%

Absent 306 13.3% 9 50.0%

Outlet ID

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 2326 100.0% 21 100.0%

Presence of Outlet 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

E-mail Receipt Website Printout

N % N %

Outlet Name

Present 15 100.0% 10 100.0%

Absent 0 .0% 0 .0%

Outlet 

Address

Present 6 42.9% 4 40.0%

Absent 8 57.1% 6 60.0%

Outlet 

Phone#

Present 3 21.4% 2 22.2%

Absent 11 78.6% 7 77.8%

Outlet ID

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 15 100.0% 10 100.0%

Presence of Outlet 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Package Invoice Service Invoice

N % N % 

Outlet Name

Present 1 100.0% 7 100.0%

Absent 0 .0% 0 .0%

Outlet 

Address

Present 1 100.0% 6 85.7%

Absent 0 .0% 1 14.3%

Outlet 

Phone#

Present 0 .0% 7 100.0%

Absent 1 100.0% 0 .0%

Outlet ID

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 1 100.0% 7 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 131

Table K18. Presence of Outlet Information by Record Type (continued)

Presence of Outlet 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Credit Card Statement Credit Card Charge Slip

N % N % 

Outlet Name

Present 4 100.0% 43 91.5%

Absent 0 .0% 4 8.5%

Outlet 

Address

Present 2 66.7% 39 84.8%

Absent 1 33.3% 7 15.2%

Outlet 

Phone#

Present 1 33.3% 33 71.7%

Absent 2 66.7% 13 28.3%

Outlet ID

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 4 100.0% 47 100.0%

Presence of Outlet 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Bank Statement Checkbook Register

N % N % 

Outlet Name

Present 12 80.0% 0 .0%

Absent 3 20.0% 0 .0%

Outlet 

Address

Present 6 46.2% 0 .0%

Absent 7 53.8% 0 .0%

Outlet 

Phone#

Present 4 30.8% 0 .0%

Absent 9 69.2% 0 .0%

Outlet ID

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 15 100.0% 0 .0%

Presence of Outlet 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Written Notes Other

N % N %

Outlet Name

Present 3 33.3% 21 8.8%

Absent 6 66.7% 218 91.2%

Outlet 

Address

Present 1 20.0% 9 36.0%

Absent 4 80.0% 16 64.0%

Outlet 

Phone#

Present 1 20.0% 12 48.0%

Absent 4 80.0% 13 52.0%

Outlet ID

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 9 100.0% 239 100.0%

 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 132

Table K19. Presence of PII by Record Type

Presence of PII by Record 

Type

Record Type

Receipt Utility Bill

N % N % 

PII name

Present 157 6.8% 17 89.5%

Absent 2158 93.2% 2 10.5%

PII address

Present 24 1.0% 15 78.9%

Absent 2293 99.0% 4 21.1%

PII phone number

Present 21 .9% 8 42.1%

Absent 2293 99.1% 11 57.9%

PII credit-card 

number

Present 5 .2% 0 .0%

Absent 2310 99.8% 19 100.0%

PII last 4 of creditcard

Present 962 41.5% 0 .0%

Absent 1356 58.5% 19 100.0%

Customer ID

Present 241 10.4% 11 57.9%

Absent 2076 89.6% 8 42.1%

Presence of PII by Record 

Type

Record Type

E-mail Receipt Website Printout

N % N % 

PII name

Present 11 73.3% 7 70.0%

Absent 4 26.7% 3 30.0%

PII address

Present 8 53.3% 6 60.0%

Absent 7 46.7% 4 40.0%

PII phone number

Present 2 13.3% 1 10.0%

Absent 13 86.7% 9 90.0%

PII credit-card 

number

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 15 100.0% 10 100.0%

PII last 4 of creditcard

Present 6 40.0% 4 40.0%

Absent 9 60.0% 6 60.0%

Customer ID

Present 1 6.7% 3 30.0%

Absent 14 93.3% 7 70.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 133

Table K19. Presence of PII by Record Type (continued)

Presence of PII by Record 

Type

Record Type 

Package Invoice Service Invoice

N % N % 

PII name

Present 1 100.0% 3 42.9%

Absent 0 .0% 4 57.1%

PII address

Present 1 100.0% 2 28.6%

Absent 0 .0% 5 71.4%

PII phone number

Present 0 .0% 1 14.3%

Absent 1 100.0% 6 85.7%

PII credit-card 

number

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 1 100.0% 7 100.0%

PII last 4 of creditcard

Present 0 .0% 2 28.6%

Absent 1 100.0% 5 71.4%

Customer ID

Present 0 .0% 3 42.9%

Absent 1 100.0% 4 57.1%

Presence of PII by Record 

Type

Record Type 

Credit Card Statement Credit Card Charge Slip

N % N %

PII name

Present 2 50.0% 12 26.1%

Absent 2 50.0% 34 73.9%

PII address

Present 1 25.0% 3 6.5%

Absent 3 75.0% 43 93.5%

PII phone number

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 4 100.0% 46 100.0%

PII credit-card 

number

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 4 100.0% 46 100.0%

PII last 4 of creditcard

Present 2 50.0% 38 82.6%

Absent 2 50.0% 8 17.4%

Customer ID

Present 1 25.0% 3 6.5%

Absent 3 75.0% 43 93.5%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 134

Table K19. Presence of PII by Record Type (continued)

Presence of PII by Record 

Type

Record Type 

Bank Statement Checkbook Register

N % N % 

PII name

Present 6 42.9% 0 .0%

Absent 8 57.1% 0 .0%

PII address

Present 2 14.3% 0 .0%

Absent 12 85.7% 0 .0%

PII phone number

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 14 100.0% 0 .0%

PII credit-card 

number

Present 1 7.1% 0 .0%

Absent 13 92.9% 0 .0%

PII last 4 of creditcard

Present 6 42.9% 0 .0%

Absent 8 57.1% 0 .0%

Customer ID

Present 3 21.4% 0 .0%

Absent 11 78.6% 0 .0%

Presence of PII by Record 

Type

Record Type 

Written Notes Other

N % N %

PII name

Present 1 16.7% 7 25.0%

Absent 5 83.3% 21 75.0%

PII address

Present 0 .0% 4 14.3%

Absent 6 100.0% 24 85.7%

PII phone number

Present 0 .0% 1 3.6%

Absent 6 100.0% 27 96.4%

PII credit-card 

number

Present 0 .0% 1 3.6%

Absent 6 100.0% 27 96.4%

PII last 4 of creditcard

Present 0 .0% 2 7.7%

Absent 6 100.0% 24 92.3%

Customer ID

Present 0 .0% 3 10.7%

Absent 6 100.0% 25 89.3%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 135

Table K20. Presence of Record Information by Record Type

Presence of Record 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Receipt Utility Bill

N % N %

Purchaser

Present 2105 90.5% 21 100.0%

Absent 221 9.5% 0 .0%

Date

Present 2231 95.9% 18 85.7%

Absent 95 4.1% 3 14.3%

Record price

Present 2313 99.4% 21 100.0%

Absent 13 .6% 0 .0%

Payment type 

Present 2319 99.7% 19 90.5%

Absent 7 .3% 2 9.5%

Outlet type

Present 2269 97.5% 19 90.5%

Absent 57 2.5% 2 9.5%

Tax amount 1

Present 1742 74.9% 6 28.6%

Absent 584 25.1% 15 71.4%

Tax rate 1

Present 796 34.2% 1 4.8%

Absent 1530 65.8% 20 95.2%

Shipping cost

Present 2 .1% 0 .0%

Absent 2324 99.9% 21 100.0%

Presence of Record 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

E-mail Receipt Website Printout

N % N %

Purchaser

Present 13 86.7% 9 90.0%

Absent 2 13.3% 1 10.0%

Date

Present 14 93.3% 8 80.0%

Absent 1 6.7% 2 20.0%

Record price

Present 15 100.0% 9 90.0%

Absent 0 .0% 1 10.0%

Payment type 

Present 15 100.0% 10 100.0%

Absent 0 .0% 0 .0%

Outlet type

Present 14 93.3% 10 100.0%

Absent 1 6.7% 0 .0%

Tax amount 1

Present 1 6.7% 0 .0%

Absent 14 93.3% 10 100.0%

Tax rate 1

Present 1 6.7% 0 .0%

Absent 14 93.3% 10 100.0%

Shipping cost

Present 1 6.7% 0 .0%

Absent 14 93.3% 10 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 136

Table K20. Presence of Record Information by Record Type (continued)

Presence of Record 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Package Invoice Service Invoice

N % N % 

Purchaser

Present 1 100.0% 6 85.7%

Absent 0 .0% 1 14.3%

Date

Present 0 .0% 7 100.0%

Absent 1 100.0% 0 .0%

Record price

Present 0 .0% 7 100.0%

Absent 1 100.0% 0 .0%

Payment type 

Present 1 100.0% 7 100.0%

Absent 0 .0% 0 .0%

Outlet type

Present 1 100.0% 6 85.7%

Absent 0 .0% 1 14.3%

Tax amount 1

Present 0 .0% 3 42.9%

Absent 1 100.0% 4 57.1%

Tax rate 1

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 1 100.0% 7 100.0%

Shipping cost

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 1 100.0% 7 100.0%

Presence of Record 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Credit Card Statement Credit Card Charge Slip

N % N % 

Purchaser

Present 4 100.0% 46 97.9%

Absent 0 .0% 1 2.1%

Date

Present 3 75.0% 46 97.9%

Absent 1 25.0% 1 2.1%

Record price

Present 3 75.0% 47 100.0%

Absent 1 25.0% 0 .0%

Payment type 

Present 4 100.0% 46 97.9%

Absent 0 .0% 1 2.1%

Outlet type

Present 3 75.0% 44 93.6%

Absent 1 25.0% 3 6.4%

Tax amount 1

Present 0 .0% 6 12.8%

Absent 4 100.0% 41 87.2%

Tax rate 1

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 4 100.0% 47 100.0%

Shipping cost

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 4 100.0% 47 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 137

Table K20. Presence of Record Information by Record Type (continued)

Presence of Record 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Bank Statement Checkbook Register

N % N % 

Purchaser

Present 15 100.0% 0 .0%

Absent 0 .0% 0 .0%

Date

Present 8 53.3% 0 .0%

Absent 7 46.7% 0 .0%

Record price

Present 6 40.0% 0 .0%

Absent 9 60.0% 0 .0%

Payment type 

Present 15 100.0% 0 .0%

Absent 0 .0% 0 .0%

Outlet type

Present 12 80.0% 0 .0%

Absent 3 20.0% 0 .0%

Tax amount 1

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 15 100.0% 0 .0%

Tax rate 1

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 15 100.0% 0 .0%

Shipping cost

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 15 100.0% 0 .0%

Presence of Record 

Information by Record 

Type

Record Type

Written Notes Other

Count Column N % Count Column N %

Purchaser

Present 7 77.8% 231 96.7%

Absent 2 22.2% 8 3.3%

Date

Present 6 66.7% 227 95.0%

Absent 3 33.3% 12 5.0%

Record price

Present 8 88.9% 235 98.3%

Absent 1 11.1% 4 1.7%

Payment type 

Present 9 100.0% 236 98.7%

Absent 0 .0% 3 1.3%

Outlet type

Present 3 33.3% 21 8.8%

Absent 6 66.7% 218 91.2%

Tax amount 1

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 9 100.0% 239 100.0%

Tax rate 1

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 9 100.0% 239 100.0%

Shipping cost

Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

Absent 9 100.0% 239 100.0% 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 138

CROSSTABULATIONS

Table K21. Distribution of Demographic Characteristics for Participants (N=152)

Characteristics N % Characteristics N % 

Gender Employment Status 

Men 46 30.3 Unemployed 65 43.0

Women 106 69.7 Part-time 48 31.8

 Full-time 38 25.2

Age (years) Missing Count (1) 

18-25 47 31.3 

26-60 68 45.3 Household Income 

61+ 35 23.3 Less than 30,000 83 56.5

Missing Count (2) 31,000-59,000 36 24.5

 60,000+ 28 19.0

Education Missing Count (5) 

Less than HS 28 18.5 

HS or some college 73 48.3 Household Size 

College degree 50 33.1 1 person 44 28.9

Missing Count (1) 2 person 42 27.6

 3+ persons 66 43.4

 

 Housing Tenure 

 Rent 96 63.2

 Own 56 36.8

Note: Does not add up to 100% because of rounding. Missing excluded from Percentages.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 139

Table K22. Record Type by Demographics

Respondent Demographic

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill

N % N %

Household income

<$30K 1263 82.4% 4 .3%

$30K - $60K 651 90.4% 5 .7%

$61K and over 588 93.5% 11 1.7%

Respondent age

18-25 661 95.0% 1 .1%

26-60 1232 93.9% 8 .6%

61 and over 635 70.2% 12 1.3%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 787 73.3% 10 .9%

2 people 785 94.4% 6 .7%

3 or more people 999 95.1% 5 .5%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

1047 78.8% 7 .5%

Employed part time 800 94.7% 7 .8%

Employed full time 715 93.0% 7 .9%

Respondent education

Less than HS 376 96.7% 1 .3%

HS or some college 1126 81.0% 5 .4%

College degree or more 1060 91.1% 15 1.3%

Respondent Demographic

Record Type

3 E-mail Receipt 4 Website Printout

N % N %

Household income

<$30K 6 .4% 4 .3%

$30K - $60K 4 .6% 3 .4%

$61K and over 5 .8% 3 .5%

Respondent age 

18-25 0 .0% 1 .1%

26-60 13 1.0% 5 .4%

61 and over 2 .2% 4 .4%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 3 .3% 2 .2%

2 people 2 .2% 3 .4%

3 or more people 10 1.0% 5 .5%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

6 .5% 5 .4%

Employed part time 6 .7% 3 .4%

Employed full time 3 .4% 2 .3%

Respondent education

Less than HS 0 .0% 3 .8%

HS or some college 0 .0% 2 .1%

College degree or more 15 1.3% 5 .4%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 140

Table K22. Record Type by Demographics (continued)

Respondent Demographics 

Record Type

5 Package Invoice 6 Service Invoice

N % N % 

Household income

<$30K 0 .0% 1 .1%

$30K - $60K 0 .0% 5 .7%

$61K and over 1 .2% 2 .3%

Respondent age

18-25 0 .0% 2 .3%

26-60 1 .1% 3 .2%

61 and over 0 .0% 3 .3%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 1 .1% 2 .2%

2 people 0 .0% 2 .2%

3 or more people 0 .0% 4 .4%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

1 .1% 6 .5%

Employed part time 0 .0% 2 .2%

Employed full time 0 .0% 0 .0%

Respondent education

Less than HS 0 .0% 0 .0%

HS or some college 0 .0% 4 .3%

College degree or more 1 .1% 4 .3%

Respondent Demographics 

Record Type

7 Credit Card 

Statement

8 Credit Card 

Charge Slip

N % N % 

Household income

<$30K 0 .0% 15 1.0%

$30K - $60K 2 .3% 19 2.6%

$61K and over 2 .3% 12 1.9%

Respondent age

18-25 0 .0% 15 2.2%

26-60 3 .2% 17 1.3%

61 and over 1 .1% 15 1.7%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 3 .3% 18 1.7%

2 people 1 .1% 19 2.3%

3 or more people 0 .0% 10 1.0%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

1 .1% 14 1.1%

Employed part time 1 .1% 14 1.7%

Employed full time 2 .3% 18 2.3%

Respondent education

Less than HS 0 .0% 0 .0%

HS or some college 1 .1% 19 1.4%

College degree or more 3 .3% 27 2.3%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 141

Table K22. Record Type by Demographics (continued)

Respondent Demographics 

Record Type

9 Bank Statement 10 Checkbook 

Register

N % N %

Household income

<$30K 9 .6% 0 .0%

$30K - $60K 5 .7% 0 .0%

$61K and over 0 .0% 0 .0%

Respondent age

18-25 3 .4% 0 .0% 

26-60 2 .2% 0 .0%

61 and over 11 1.2% 0 .0%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 11 1.0% 0 .0%

2 people 4 .5% 0 .0%

3 or more people 1 .1% 0 .0%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

6 .5% 0 .0%

Employed part time 5 .6% 0 .0%

Employed full time 3 .4% 0 .0%

Respondent education

Less than HS 0 .0% 0 .0%

HS or some college 9 .6% 0 .0%

College degree or more 5 .4% 0 .0%

Respondent Demographics 

Record Type

11 Written Notes 12 Other

N % N % 

Household income

<$30K 3 .2% 228 14.9%

$30K - $60K 9 1.3% 17 2.4%

$61K and over 0 .0% 5 .8%

Respondent age

18-25 1 .1% 12 1.7%

26-60 8 .6% 20 1.5%

61 and over 3 .3% 218 24.1%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 6 .6% 230 21.4%

2 people 4 .5% 6 .7%

3 or more people 2 .2% 14 1.3%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

8 .6% 228 17.2%

Employed part time 1 .1% 6 .7%

Employed full time 3 .4% 16 2.1%

Respondent education

Less than HS 1 .3% 8 2.1%

HS or some college 5 .4% 219 15.8%

College degree or more 6 .5% 23 2.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 142

Table K23. CECAT by Record Type.

Note: Not all items could be classified into the most detailed categories. Therefore, some of the subcategories will not add up to the higher level category.

Categories

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

Food 6328 99.4% 1 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 7 .1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 7 .1% 25 .4% 6368 100.0%

 Food at home 5266 99.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .0% 25 .5% 5293 100.0%

 Cereals and bakery products 436 99.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 .7% 439 100.0%

 Cereals and cereal products 214 99.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .9% 216 100.0%

 Bakery products 222 99.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .4% 223 100.0%

 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs 682 99.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 7 1.0% 689 100.0%

 Beef 67 97.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 2.9% 69 100.0%

 Pork 112 98.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 1.8% 114 100.0%

 Other meats 106 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 106 100.0%

 Poultry 183 98.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 1.6% 186 100.0%

 Fish and seafood 124 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 124 100.0%

 Eggs 64 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 64 100.0%

 Dairy products 402 99.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .5% 404 100.0%

 Fresh milk and cream 130 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 130 100.0%

 Other dairy products 272 99.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .7% 274 100.0%

 Fruits and vegetables 1152 99.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 .4% 1157 100.0%

 Fresh fruits 507 99.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .4% 509 100.0%

 Fresh vegetables 400 99.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 .7% 403 100.0%

 Processed fruits 79 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 79 100.0%

 Processed vegetables 148 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 148 100.0%

 Other food at home 2419 99.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .1% 8 .3% 2429 100.0%

 Sugar and other sweets 562 99.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .4% 564 100.0%

 Fats and oils 51 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 51 100.0%

 Miscellaneous foods 918 99.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 6 .6% 924 100.0%

 Nonalcoholic beverages 876 99.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .2% 0 .0% 878 100.0%

 Prepared food out of town 3 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Food away from home 950 98.7% 1 .1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 7 .7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 .5% 0 .0% 963 100.0%

 Alcoholic beverages 197 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 197 100.0%

 Housing 758 88.7% 89 10.4% 2 .2% 1 .1% 0 .0% 1 .1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 .4% 1 .1% 855 100.0%

 Shelter 48 98.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 49 100.0%

 Owned dwellings 44 97.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 45 100.0%

 Mortgage interest and charges 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Property taxes 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Maintenance/repairs/insurance/other exp. 44 97.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 45 100.0%

 Rented dwellings 3 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

9 Bank 

Statement

10 Checkbook 

Register

11 Written 

Notes 12 Other All types

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill

3 E-mail 

Receipt

4 Website 

Printout

5 Package 

Invoice

6 Service 

Invoice

7 Credit Card 

Statement

8 Credit Card 

Charge Slip
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 143

Table K23. CECAT by Record Type (continued).

Note: Not all items could be classified into the most detailed categories. Therefore, some of the subcategories will not add up to the higher level category.

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

 Other lodging 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0%

 Utilities, fuels, and public services 38 29.9% 87 68.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 1.6% 0 .0% 127 100.0%

 Natural gas 17 48.6% 17 48.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.9% 0 .0% 35 100.0%

 Electricity 6 18.8% 25 78.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 3.1% 0 .0% 32 100.0%

 Fuel oil and other fuels 11 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 11 100.0%

 Telephone services 4 8.7% 42 91.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 46 100.0%

 Water and other public services 0 .0% 3 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Household operations 19 86.4% 2 9.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 4.5% 0 .0% 22 100.0%

 Personal services 5 83.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 16.7% 0 .0% 6 100.0%

 Other household expenses 14 87.5% 2 12.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 16 100.0%

 Housekeeping supplies 468 99.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .2% 470 100.0%

 Laundry and cleaning supplies 221 99.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 222 100.0%

 Other household products 214 99.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .5% 215 100.0%

 Postage and stationery 33 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 33 100.0%

 Household furnishings and equipment 180 98.9% 0 .0% 2 1.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 182 100.0%

 Household textiles 19 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 19 100.0%

 Furniture 3 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Floor coverings 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Major appliances 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0%

 Small appliances/miscellaneous h.wares 46 97.9% 0 .0% 1 2.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 47 100.0%

 Miscellaneous household equipment 109 99.1% 0 .0% 1 .9% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 110 100.0%

 Apparel and services 396 98.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .2% 3 .7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .2% 0 .0% 401 100.0%

 Men and boys 61 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 61 100.0%

 Men, 16 and over 50 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 50 100.0%

 Boys, 2 to 15 11 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 11 100.0%

 Women and girls 182 98.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 1.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 185 100.0%

 Women, 16 and over 179 98.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 1.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 182 100.0%

 Girls, 2 to 15 3 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Children under 2 6 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 6 100.0%

 Footwear 49 98.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 50 100.0%

 Other apparel products and services 49 98.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 0 .0% 50 100.0%

 Transportation 162 88.0% 0 .0% 3 1.6% 12 6.5% 0 .0% 6 3.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .5% 184 100.0%

 Vehicle purchases (net outlay) 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Cars and trucks, new 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Cars and trucks, used 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill

3 E-mail 

Receipt

4 Website 

Printout

5 Package 

Invoice

6 Service 

Invoice

7 Credit Card 

Statement

8 Credit Card 

Charge Slip

9 Bank 

Statement

10 Checkbook 

Register

11 Written 

Notes 12 Other All types
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 144

Table K23. CECAT by Record Type (continued).

Note: Not all items could be classified into the most detailed categories. Therefore, some of the subcategories will not add up to the higher level category.

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

 Other vehicles 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Gasoline and motor oil 92 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 92 100.0%

 Other vehicle expenses 31 75.6% 0 .0% 3 7.3% 1 2.4% 0 .0% 6 14.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 41 100.0%

 Vehicle finance charges 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Maintenance and repairs 19 76.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 6 24.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 25 100.0%

 Vehicle insurance 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0%

 Vehicle rental/leases/licenses/other charges 12 92.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 7.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 13 100.0%

 Public transportation 39 76.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 11 21.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 51 100.0%

 Healthcare 99 91.7% 0 .0% 1 .9% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 2.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 4.6% 108 100.0%

 Health insurance 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Medical services 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 28.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 71.4% 7 100.0%

 Drugs 79 98.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 1.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 80 100.0%

 Medical supplies 19 95.0% 0 .0% 1 5.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 20 100.0%

 Entertainment 209 87.1% 5 2.1% 2 .8% 1 .4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 23 9.6% 240 100.0%

 Fees and admissions 28 84.8% 5 15.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 33 100.0%

 Audio and visual equipment and services 31 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 31 100.0%

 Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment 123 98.4% 0 .0% 1 .8% 1 .8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 125 100.0%

 Other entertainment supplies, equipment, serv. 25 51.0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 23 46.9% 49 100.0%

 Personal care products and services 353 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 353 100.0%

 Reading 39 90.7% 0 .0% 2 4.7% 2 4.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 43 100.0%

 Education 16 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 16 100.0%

 Tobacco products and smoking supplies 32 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 32 100.0%

 Miscellaneous 151 43.5% 0 .0% 2 .6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 193 55.6% 347 100.0%

 Cash contributions 14 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 14 100.0%

 Personal insurance and pensions 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 100.0%

 Life and other personal insurance 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 100.0%

 Pensions and Social Security 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill

3 E-mail 

Receipt

4 Website 

Printout

5 Package 

Invoice

6 Service 

Invoice

7 Credit Card 

Statement

8 Credit Card 

Charge Slip

9 Bank 

Statement

10 Checkbook 

Register

11 Written 

Notes 12 Other All types
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 145

Table K24. Record Type by Outlet Type

Outlet Type

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill 3 E-mail Receipt

N % N % N %

1 Brick and Mortar 2464 96.5% 13 .5% 1 .0%

2 Internet 1 3.7% 1 3.7% 11 40.7%

3 Phone/Catalog 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

4 Other 14 33.3% 5 11.9% 2 4.8%

Outlet Type

Record Type

4 Website Printout 5 Package Invoice 6 Service Invoice

N % N % N %

1 Brick and Mortar 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 .2%

2 Internet 9 33.3% 1 3.7% 0 .0%

3 Phone/Catalog 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

4 Other 1 2.4% 0 .0% 2 4.8%

Outlet Type

Record Type

7 Credit Card 

Statement

8 Credit Card Charge 

Slip 9 Bank Statement

N % N % N % 

1 Brick and Mortar 0 .0% 41 1.6% 11 .4%

2 Internet 0 .0% 2 7.4% 2 7.4%

3 Phone/Catalog 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

4 Other 3 7.1% 1 2.4% 0 .0%

Outlet Type

Record Type

10 Checkbook 

Register 11 Written Notes 12 Other

N % N % N % 

1 Brick and Mortar 0 .0% 4 .2% 14 .5%

2 Internet 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

3 Phone/Catalog 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

4 Other 0 .0% 0 .0% 14 33.3%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 146

Table K25. Record Type by Payment Method

Payment Type

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill

N % N %

1 Cash 1101 99.5% 2 .2%

2 Check 21 75.0% 1 3.6%

3 Credit or Debit Card 941 93.1% 1 .1%

4 Online Automated Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

5 Online One-Time Payment 1 25.0% 0 .0%

6 Gift Card 33 100.0% 0 .0%

7 Return/Exchange 10 100.0% 0 .0%

8 Other 274 96.5% 0 .0%

9 Unknown 160 36.3% 15 3.4%

Payment Type

Record Type

3 E-mail Receipt 4 Website Printout

N % N %

1 Cash 1 .1% 0 .0%

2 Check 0 .0% 0 .0%

3 Credit or Debit Card 11 1.1% 7 .7%

4 Online Automated Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

5 Online One-Time Payment 2 50.0% 1 25.0%

6 Gift Card 0 .0% 0 .0%

7 Return/Exchange 0 .0% 0 .0%

8 Other 0 .0% 0 .0%

9 Unknown 1 .2% 2 .5%

Payment Type

Record Type

5 Package Invoice 6 Service Invoice

N % N % 

1 Cash 0 .0% 2 .2%

2 Check 0 .0% 0 .0%

3 Credit or Debit Card 0 .0% 3 .3%

4 Online Automated Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

5 Online One-Time Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

6 Gift Card 0 .0% 0 .0%

7 Return/Exchange 0 .0% 0 .0%

8 Other 0 .0% 0 .0%

9 Unknown 1 .2% 3 .7%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 147

Table K25. Record Type by Payment Method (continued)

Payment Type

Record Type

7 Credit Card 

Statement

8 Credit Card Charge 

Slip

N % N % 

1 Cash 0 .0% 1 .1%

2 Check 1 3.6% 1 3.6%

3 Credit or Debit Card 0 .0% 42 4.2%

4 Online Automated Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

5 Online One-Time Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

6 Gift Card 0 .0% 0 .0%

7 Return/Exchange 0 .0% 0 .0%

8 Other 0 .0% 1 .4%

9 Unknown 3 .7% 1 .2%

Payment Type

Record Type

9 Bank Statement 10 Checkbook 

Register

N % N % 

1 Cash 0 .0% 0 .0%

2 Check 0 .0% 0 .0%

3 Credit or Debit Card 3 .3% 0 .0%

4 Online Automated Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

5 Online One-Time Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

6 Gift Card 0 .0% 0 .0%

7 Return/Exchange 0 .0% 0 .0%

8 Other 4 1.4% 0 .0%

9 Unknown 9 2.0% 0 .0%

Payment Type

Record Type

11 Written Notes 12 Other

N % N % 

1 Cash 0 .0% 0 .0%

2 Check 1 3.6% 3 10.7%

3 Credit or Debit Card 2 .2% 1 .1%

4 Online Automated Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

5 Online One-Time Payment 0 .0% 0 .0%

6 Gift Card 0 .0% 0 .0%

7 Return/Exchange 0 .0% 0 .0%

8 Other 0 .0% 5 1.8%

9 Unknown 9 2.0% 237 53.7%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 148

Table K26. Payment Method by Demographics

Respondent Demographics

Payment Type

Cash Check

N % N %

Household income <$30K 598 39.4% 8 .5%

$30K - $60K 251 35.3% 17 2.4%

$61K and over 216 34.8% 3 .5%

Respondent age 18-25 297 43.5% 4 .6%

26-60 517 39.9% 12 .9%

61 and over 275 30.7% 12 1.3%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 323 30.3% 10 .9%

2 people 379 46.1% 9 1.1%

3 or more people 405 39.2% 9 .9%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

476 36.2% 16 1.2%

Employed part time 412 49.3% 9 1.1%

Employed full time 217 28.6% 3 .4%

Respondent education Less than HS 176 46.4% 1 .3%

HS or some college 529 38.4% 16 1.2%

College degree or more 400 34.7% 11 1.0%

Respondent Demographics

Payment Type

Credit or Debit 

Card

Online Automated 

Payment

N % N %

Household income <$30K 405 26.7% 0 .0%

$30K - $60K 284 39.9% 0 .0%

$61K and over 311 50.2% 0 .0%

Respondent age 18-25 233 34.1% 0 .0%

26-60 493 38.0% 0 .0%

61 and over 273 30.4% 0 .0%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 334 31.3% 0 .0%

2 people 268 32.6% 0 .0%

3 or more people 409 39.6% 0 .0%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

372 28.3% 0 .0%

Employed part time 247 29.6% 0 .0%

Employed full time 385 50.7% 0 .0%

Respondent education Less than HS 80 21.1% 0 .0%

HS or some college 409 29.7% 0 .0%

College degree or more 515 44.7% 0 .0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 149

Table K26. Payment Method by Demographics (continued)

Respondent Demographics

Payment Type

Online One-Time 

Payment Gift Card

N % N %

Household income <$30K 1 .1% 9 .6%

$30K - $60K 0 .0% 14 2.0%

$61K and over 3 .5% 9 1.5%

Respondent age 18-25 0 .0% 7 1.0%

26-60 3 .2% 18 1.4%

61 and over 1 .1% 8 .9%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 0 .0% 11 1.0%

2 people 1 .1% 10 1.2%

3 or more people 3 .3% 12 1.2%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

1 .1% 8 .6%

Employed part time 3 .4% 4 .5%

Employed full time 0 .0% 21 2.8%

Respondent education Less than HS 0 .0% 0 .0%

HS or some college 1 .1% 18 1.3%

College degree or more 3 .3% 15 1.3%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 150

Table K26. Payment Method by Demographics (continued)

Respondent Demographics

Payment Type

Return/Exchange Other

N % N %

Household income <$30K 3 .2% 194 12.8%

$30K - $60K 1 .1% 61 8.6%

$61K and over 6 1.0% 17 2.7%

Respondent age 18-25 8 1.2% 82 12.0%

26-60 0 .0% 132 10.2%

61 and over 2 .2% 58 6.5%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 0 .0% 78 7.3%

2 people 2 .2% 105 12.8%

3 or more people 8 .8% 101 9.8%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

7 .5% 134 10.2%

Employed part time 0 .0% 99 11.9%

Employed full time 3 .4% 49 6.5%

Respondent education Less than HS 3 .8% 93 24.5%

HS or some college 6 .4% 103 7.5%

College degree or more 1 .1% 86 7.5%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 151

Table K26. Payment Method by Demographics (continued)

Respondent Demographics

Payment Type

Unknown

N %

Household income <$30K 300 19.8%

$30K - $60K 84 11.8%

$61K and over 55 8.9%

Respondent age 18-25 52 7.6%

26-60 122 9.4%

61 and over 268 29.9%

Household size, 

categories (screener)

1 person 310 29.1%

2 people 48 5.8%

3 or more people 85 8.2%

Respondent employment 

status

Not employed, all 

reasons

300 22.8%

Employed part time 61 7.3%

Employed full time 81 10.7%

Respondent education Less than HS 26 6.9%

HS or some college 294 21.4%

College degree or more 122 10.6%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 152

Table K27. CECAT by Payment Type

Note: Not all items could be classified into the most detailed categories. Therefore, some of the subcategories will not add up to the higher level category.

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

Food 2002 31.7% 41 .6% 2197 34.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 87 1.4% 0 .0% 1736 27.5% 257 4.1% 6320 100.0%

 Food at home 1487 28.3% 37 .7% 1810 34.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 65 1.2% 0 .0% 1698 32.3% 152 2.9% 5249 100.0%

 Cereals and bakery products 89 20.4% 5 1.1% 181 41.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 1.1% 0 .0% 149 34.1% 8 1.8% 437 100.0%

 Cereals and cereal products 39 18.1% 1 .5% 94 43.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 1.4% 0 .0% 74 34.4% 4 1.9% 215 100.0%

 Bakery products 50 22.5% 4 1.8% 87 39.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .9% 0 .0% 75 33.8% 4 1.8% 222 100.0%

 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs 158 22.9% 8 1.2% 194 28.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 4 .6% 0 .0% 301 43.7% 24 3.5% 689 100.0%

 Beef 11 15.9% 0 .0% 11 15.9% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 1.4% 0 .0% 45 65.2% 1 1.4% 69 100.0%

 Pork 25 21.9% 0 .0% 28 24.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 59 51.8% 2 1.8% 114 100.0%

 Other meats 21 19.8% 0 .0% 25 23.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 56 52.8% 4 3.8% 106 100.0%

 Poultry 43 23.1% 3 1.6% 64 34.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 1.1% 0 .0% 61 32.8% 13 7.0% 186 100.0%

 Fish and seafood 38 30.6% 4 3.2% 35 28.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 46 37.1% 1 .8% 124 100.0%

 Eggs 16 25.0% 1 1.6% 20 31.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 24 37.5% 3 4.7% 64 100.0%

 Dairy products 88 22.1% 1 .3% 152 38.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 8 2.0% 0 .0% 140 35.1% 10 2.5% 399 100.0%

 Fresh milk and cream 37 28.5% 0 .0% 42 32.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .8% 0 .0% 46 35.4% 4 3.1% 130 100.0%

 Other dairy products 51 19.0% 1 .4% 110 40.9% 0 .0% 0 .0% 7 2.6% 0 .0% 94 34.9% 6 2.2% 269 100.0%

 Fruits and vegetables 312 27.2% 9 .8% 472 41.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 15 1.3% 0 .0% 319 27.8% 21 1.8% 1148 100.0%

 Fresh fruits 140 27.7% 4 .8% 221 43.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 1.0% 0 .0% 129 25.5% 6 1.2% 505 100.0%

 Fresh vegetables 108 27.1% 3 .8% 157 39.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 4 1.0% 0 .0% 120 30.2% 6 1.5% 398 100.0%

 Processed fruits 20 25.3% 0 .0% 35 44.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 1.3% 0 .0% 18 22.8% 5 6.3% 79 100.0%

 Processed vegetables 36 24.3% 1 .7% 54 36.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 5 3.4% 0 .0% 48 32.4% 4 2.7% 148 100.0%

 Other food at home 802 33.4% 13 .5% 745 31.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 29 1.2% 0 .0% 731 30.4% 81 3.4% 2401 100.0%

 Sugar and other sweets 212 37.8% 3 .5% 156 27.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 9 1.6% 0 .0% 157 28.0% 24 4.3% 561 100.0%

 Fats and oils 10 19.6% 1 2.0% 14 27.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 24 47.1% 2 3.9% 51 100.0%

 Miscellaneous foods 246 27.0% 8 .9% 300 32.9% 0 .0% 0 .0% 10 1.1% 0 .0% 321 35.2% 26 2.9% 911 100.0%

 Nonalcoholic beverages 332 38.3% 1 .1% 270 31.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 10 1.2% 0 .0% 228 26.3% 25 2.9% 866 100.0%

 Prepared food out of town 1 33.3% 0 .0% 1 33.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 33.3% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Food away from home 468 48.8% 4 .4% 358 37.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 19 2.0% 0 .0% 5 .5% 105 10.9% 959 100.0%

1 Cash 2 Check 9 Unknown All types 3 Credit or Debit 

Card

4 Online 

Automated 

Payment

5 Online OneTime Payment Categories 6 Gift Card 7 Return/Exchange 8 Other

PaymentType
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 153

Table K27. CECAT by Payment Type (continued)

Note: Not all items could be classified into the most detailed categories. Therefore, some of the subcategories will not add up to the higher level category.

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

 Alcoholic beverages 60 30.8% 8 4.1% 104 53.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 1.5% 0 .0% 4 2.1% 16 8.2% 195 100.0%

 Housing 328 38.9% 15 1.8% 310 36.7% 0 .0% 1 .1% 9 1.1% 2 .2% 58 6.9% 121 14.3% 844 100.0%

 Shelter 18 36.7% 8 16.3% 22 44.9% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 49 100.0%

 Owned dwellings 17 37.8% 8 17.8% 19 42.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 45 100.0%

 Mortgage interest and charges 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Property taxes 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Maintenance/repairs/insurance/other expenses 17 37.8% 8 17.8% 19 42.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 45 100.0%

 Rented dwellings 1 33.3% 0 .0% 2 66.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Other lodging 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0%

 Utilities, fuels, and public services 15 12.7% 0 .0% 3 2.5% 0 .0% 1 .8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 1.7% 97 82.2% 118 100.0%

 Natural gas 7 20.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 28 80.0% 35 100.0%

 Electricity 5 21.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 4.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 17 73.9% 23 100.0%

 Fuel oil and other fuels 1 9.1% 0 .0% 3 27.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 18.2% 5 45.5% 11 100.0%

 Telephone services 2 4.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 44 95.7% 46 100.0%

 Water and other public services 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0% 3 100.0%

 Household operations 5 23.8% 0 .0% 11 52.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 9.5% 3 14.3% 21 100.0%

 Personal services 2 40.0% 0 .0% 2 40.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 20.0% 5 100.0%

 Other household expenses 3 18.8% 0 .0% 9 56.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 12.5% 2 12.5% 16 100.0%

 Housekeeping supplies 195 41.5% 7 1.5% 198 42.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 4 .9% 0 .0% 50 10.6% 16 3.4% 470 100.0%

 Laundry and cleaning supplies 99 44.6% 1 .5% 101 45.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .9% 0 .0% 11 5.0% 8 3.6% 222 100.0%

 Other household products 78 36.3% 6 2.8% 83 38.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 .9% 0 .0% 38 17.7% 8 3.7% 215 100.0%

 Postage and stationery 18 54.5% 0 .0% 14 42.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 3.0% 0 .0% 33 100.0%

 Household furnishings and equipment 94 51.9% 0 .0% 72 39.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 4 2.2% 2 1.1% 4 2.2% 5 2.8% 181 100.0%

 Household textiles 10 52.6% 0 .0% 6 31.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 5.3% 2 10.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 19 100.0%

 Furniture 1 33.3% 0 .0% 2 66.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Floor coverings 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

Categories

PaymentType

1 Cash 2 Check 3 Credit or Debit 

Card

4 Online 

Automated 

Payment

5 Online OneTime Payment 6 Gift Card 7 Return/Exchange 8 Other 9 Unknown All types
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 154

Table K27. CECAT by Payment Type (continued)

Note: Not all items could be classified into the most detailed categories. Therefore, some of the subcategories will not add up to the higher level category.

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

 Major appliances 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0%

 Small appliances, miscellaneous housewares 26 56.5% 0 .0% 16 34.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 6.5% 46 100.0%

 Miscellaneous household equipment 57 51.8% 0 .0% 46 41.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 1.8% 0 .0% 4 3.6% 1 .9% 110 100.0%

 Apparel and services 117 29.8% 33 8.4% 208 53.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 4 1.0% 4 1.0% 8 2.0% 18 4.6% 392 100.0%

 Men and boys 9 14.8% 13 21.3% 33 54.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 4.9% 0 .0% 3 4.9% 0 .0% 61 100.0%

 Men, 16 and over 5 10.0% 13 26.0% 26 52.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 6.0% 0 .0% 3 6.0% 0 .0% 50 100.0%

 Boys, 2 to 15 4 36.4% 0 .0% 7 63.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 11 100.0%

 Women and girls 55 31.1% 7 4.0% 95 53.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .6% 3 1.7% 2 1.1% 14 7.9% 177 100.0%

 Women, 16 and over 53 30.5% 7 4.0% 94 54.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .6% 3 1.7% 2 1.1% 14 8.0% 174 100.0%

 Girls, 2 to 15 2 66.7% 0 .0% 1 33.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

 Children under 2 2 40.0% 0 .0% 2 40.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 20.0% 0 .0% 5 100.0%

 Footwear 20 40.0% 9 18.0% 21 42.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 50 100.0%

 Other apparel products and services 19 38.0% 4 8.0% 22 44.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 4.0% 3 6.0% 50 100.0%

 Transportation 51 27.9% 0 .0% 109 59.6% 0 .0% 1 .5% 1 .5% 0 .0% 1 .5% 20 10.9% 183 100.0%

 Vehicle purchases (net outlay) 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Cars and trucks, new 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Cars and trucks, used 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Other vehicles 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Gasoline and motor oil 19 20.9% 0 .0% 70 76.9% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 1.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 1.1% 91 100.0%

 Other vehicle expenses 11 26.8% 0 .0% 23 56.1% 0 .0% 1 2.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 6 14.6% 41 100.0%

 Vehicle finance charges 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

 Maintenance and repairs 5 20.0% 0 .0% 14 56.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 6 24.0% 25 100.0%

 Vehicle insurance 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 100.0%

 Vehicle rental/leases/licenses/other charges 6 46.2% 0 .0% 6 46.2% 0 .0% 1 7.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 13 100.0%

 Public transportation 21 41.2% 0 .0% 16 31.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 13 25.5% 51 100.0%

 Healthcare 49 45.4% 2 1.9% 44 40.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .9% 0 .0% 4 3.7% 8 7.4% 108 100.0%

 Health insurance 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

Categories

PaymentType

1 Cash 2 Check 3 Credit or Debit 

Card 8 Other 9 Unknown

4 Online 

Automated 

Payment

5 Online OneTime Payment 6 Gift Card 7 Return/Exchange All types
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 155

Table K27. CECAT by Payment Type (continued)

Note: Not all items could be classified into the most detailed categories. Therefore, some of the subcategories will not add up to the higher level category.

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

 Medical services 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 28.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 28.6% 3 42.9% 7 100.0%

 Drugs 38 47.5% 1 1.3% 34 42.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 2.5% 5 6.3% 80 100.0%

 Medical supplies 10 50.0% 1 5.0% 8 40.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 5.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 20 100.0%

 Entertainment 75 31.9% 1 .4% 102 43.4% 0 .0% 1 .4% 1 .4% 4 1.7% 6 2.6% 45 19.1% 235 100.0%

 Fees and admissions 10 35.7% 1 3.6% 14 50.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 3 10.7% 28 100.0%

 Audio and visual equipment and services 6 19.4% 0 .0% 22 71.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 3.2% 0 .0% 2 6.5% 31 100.0%

 Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment 48 38.4% 0 .0% 53 42.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 .8% 2 1.6% 6 4.8% 15 12.0% 125 100.0%

 Other entertainment supplies/equipment/services 9 18.4% 0 .0% 13 26.5% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 0 .0% 1 2.0% 0 .0% 25 51.0% 49 100.0%

 Personal care products and services 179 50.9% 3 .9% 121 34.4% 0 .0% 0 .0% 9 2.6% 8 2.3% 25 7.1% 7 2.0% 352 100.0%

 Reading 16 37.2% 0 .0% 25 58.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 4.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 43 100.0%

 Education 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 6.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 13 81.3% 2 12.5% 16 100.0%

 Tobacco products and smoking supplies 12 38.7% 0 .0% 18 58.1% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 3.2% 0 .0% 31 100.0%

 Miscellaneous 73 21.2% 0 .0% 61 17.7% 0 .0% 2 .6% 1 .3% 0 .0% 11 3.2% 197 57.1% 345 100.0%

 Cash contributions 3 21.4% 2 14.3% 7 50.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 14.3% 14 100.0%

 Personal insurance and pensions 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 100.0% 2 100.0%

 Life and other personal insurance 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 100.0% 2 100.0%

 Pensions and Social Security 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

5 Online OneTime Payment Categories 6 Gift Card 7 Return/Exchange 8 Other 9 Unknown All types

PaymentType

1 Cash 2 Check 3 Credit or Debit 

Card

4 Online 

Automated 

Payment
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 156

Table K28. Records by Household Size

Household size

Mean 

number of 

records

Minimum 

number of 

records

Modal 

number of 

records

SD of 

mean 

number of 

records

Maximum 

number of 

records

1 person 24.64 1 11 35.10 232

2 people 19.98 2 24 9.96 45

3 or more people 16.86 1 1, 8 11.53 52

Note: Because it is not clear if the person did not have records or did not collect records, all cases with 

no records were removed.

Table K29. Records by Identity

Identity

Minimum 

number of 

records

Maximum 

number of 

records

Modal 

number of 

records

Mean 

number of 

records

SD of mean 

number of 

records

Respondent 1 232 11, 14 17.26 20.89

Husband/Wife 1 31 -- 8.64 7.59

Girlfriend/Boyfriend 4 9 -- 7.25 2.22

Son/Daughter 1 14 -- 7.40 4.97

Parent 1 27 -- 5.92 7.18

Aunt/Uncle 3 3 -- 3.00 --

Grandson/Granddaughter 3 10 -- 6.50 4.95

Brother/Sister 1 6 -- 4.50 1.76

Housemate/Roommate 7 7 -- 7.00 --

Other Unrelated Person 7 7 -- 7.00 --

Note: Because it is not clear if the person did not have records or did not collect records, all 

cases with no records were removed.

Table K30. Diaries by Household Size

Household size

Minimum 

number of 

diary 

records

Maximum 

number of 

diary 

records

Modal 

number of 

diary 

records

Mean 

number of 

diary 

records

SD of mean 

number of 

diary 

records

1 person 1 15 1, 2, 4 5.91 4.24

2 people 1 28 4, 6 6.55 5.71

3 or more people 1 54 1, 7 10.21 9.77

Note: Because it is not clear if the person did not have records or did not collect records, all cases with 

no records were removed.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 157

Table K31. Diaries by Identity

Identity

Minimum 

number of 

diary 

records

Maximum 

number of 

diary 

records

Modal 

number 

of diary 

records

Mean 

number

of diary 

records

SD of 

mean 

number 

of diary 

records

Respondent 1 28 3 6.25 4.82

Husband/Wife 1 17 -- 4.40 4.10

Girlfriend/Boyfriend 3 3 -- 3.00 --

Son/Daughter 1 18 -- 6.13 5.82

Parent 1 26 -- 8.50 10.45

Grandson/Granddaughter 1 2 -- 1.50 0.71

Cousin 2 2 -- 2.00 --

Brother/Sister 1 10 -- 4.00 3.30

Housemate/Roommate 19 19 -- 19.00 --

Other Unrelated Person 1 7 -- 4.00 4.24

Note: Because it is not clear if the person did not have a diary or did not use it, all cases with no dairies 

were removed.

Table K32. PII Variables by Records Type

PII Variables

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill

N % N % 

PII name 1 Present 174 6.9% 17 89.5%

0 Absent 2344 93.1% 2 10.5%

PII address 1 Present 24 1.0% 15 78.9%

0 Absent 2497 99.0% 4 21.1%

PII phone number 1 Present 21 .8% 8 42.1%

0 Absent 2497 99.2% 11 57.9%

PII credit-card number 1 Present 5 .2% 0 .0%

0 Absent 2513 99.8% 19 100.0%

PII last 4 of credit-card 1 Present 1038 41.2% 0 .0%

0 Absent 1482 58.8% 19 100.0%

Customer ID 1 Present 259 10.3% 11 57.9%

0 Absent 2262 89.7% 8 42.1%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 158

Table K32. PII Variables by Records Type (continued)

PII Variables

Record Type

3 E-mail Receipt 4 Website Printout

N % N % 

PII name 1 Present 11 73.3% 7 70.0%

0 Absent 4 26.7% 3 30.0%

PII address 1 Present 8 53.3% 6 60.0%

0 Absent 7 46.7% 4 40.0%

PII phone number 1 Present 2 13.3% 1 10.0%

0 Absent 13 86.7% 9 90.0%

PII credit-card number 1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 15 100.0% 10 100.0%

PII last 4 of credit-card 1 Present 6 40.0% 4 40.0%

0 Absent 9 60.0% 6 60.0%

Customer ID 1 Present 1 6.7% 3 30.0%

0 Absent 14 93.3% 7 70.0%

PII Variables

Record Type

5 Package Invoice 6 Service Invoice

N % N % 

PII name 1 Present 1 100.0% 4 50.0%

0 Absent 0 .0% 4 50.0%

PII address 1 Present 1 100.0% 2 28.6%

0 Absent 0 .0% 5 71.4%

PII phone number 1 Present 0 .0% 1 14.3%

0 Absent 1 100.0% 6 85.7%

PII credit-card number 1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 1 100.0% 7 100.0%

PII last 4 of credit-card 1 Present 0 .0% 2 28.6%

0 Absent 1 100.0% 5 71.4%

Customer ID 1 Present 0 .0% 3 42.9%

0 Absent 1 100.0% 4 57.1%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 159

Table K32. PII Variables by Records Type (continued)

PII Variables

Record Type

7 Credit Card Statement 8 Credit Card Charge 

Slip

N % N % 

PII name 1 Present 2 50.0% 12 26.1%

0 Absent 2 50.0% 34 73.9%

PII address 1 Present 1 25.0% 3 6.5%

0 Absent 3 75.0% 43 93.5%

PII phone number 1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 4 100.0% 46 100.0%

PII credit-card number 1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 4 100.0% 46 100.0%

PII last 4 of credit-card 1 Present 2 50.0% 38 82.6%

0 Absent 2 50.0% 8 17.4%

Customer ID 1 Present 1 25.0% 3 6.5%

0 Absent 3 75.0% 43 93.5%

PII Variables

Record Type

9 Bank Statement 10 Checkbook Register

N % N % 

PII name 1 Present 7 46.7% 0 .0%

0 Absent 8 53.3% 0 .0%

PII address 1 Present 3 20.0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 12 80.0% 0 .0%

PII phone number 1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 15 100.0% 0 .0%

PII credit-card number 1 Present 1 6.7% 0 .0%

0 Absent 14 93.3% 0 .0%

PII last 4 of credit-card 1 Present 6 40.0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 9 60.0% 0 .0%

Customer ID 1 Present 3 20.0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 12 80.0% 0 .0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 160

Table K32. PII Variables by Records Type (continued)

PII Variables

Record Type

11 Written Notes 12 Other

N % N % 

PII name 1 Present 2 28.6% 8 22.2%

0 Absent 5 71.4% 28 77.8%

PII address 1 Present 0 .0% 4 11.1%

0 Absent 7 100.0% 32 88.9%

PII phone number 1 Present 0 .0% 1 2.8%

0 Absent 7 100.0% 35 97.2%

PII credit-card number 1 Present 0 .0% 1 2.8%

0 Absent 7 100.0% 35 97.2%

PII last 4 of credit-card 1 Present 0 .0% 2 5.9%

0 Absent 7 100.0% 32 94.1%

Customer ID 1 Present 0 .0% 4 11.1%

0 Absent 7 100.0% 32 88.9%

PII Variables

Record Type

All types

N % 

PII name 1 Present 245 9.1%

0 Absent 2434 90.9%

PII address 1 Present 67 2.5%

0 Absent 2614 97.5%

PII phone number 1 Present 34 1.3%

0 Absent 2644 98.7%

PII credit-card number 1 Present 7 .3%

0 Absent 2671 99.7%

PII last 4 of credit-card 1 Present 1098 41.0%

0 Absent 1580 59.0%

Customer ID 1 Present 288 10.7%

0 Absent 2393 89.3%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 161

Table K33. Outlet Information by Record Type

Outlet Information

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill 3 E-mail Receipt

N % N % N %

Outlet Name

1 Present 2282 98.1% 20 95.2% 15 100.0%

0 Absent 44 1.9% 1 4.8% 0 .0%

Outlet 

Address

1 Present 2085 90.4% 8 47.1% 6 42.9%

0 Absent 221 9.6% 9 52.9% 8 57.1%

Outlet 

Phone#

1 Present 1989 86.7% 9 50.0% 3 21.4%

0 Absent 306 13.3% 9 50.0% 11 78.6%

Outlet ID

1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 2326 100.0% 21 100.0% 15 100.0%

Outlet Information

Record Type

4 Website Printout 5 Package Invoice 6 Service Invoice

N % N % N % 

Outlet Name

1 Present 10 100.0% 1 100.0% 7 100.0%

0 Absent 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

Outlet 

Address

1 Present 4 40.0% 1 100.0% 6 85.7%

0 Absent 6 60.0% 0 .0% 1 14.3%

Outlet 

Phone#

1 Present 2 22.2% 0 .0% 7 100.0%

0 Absent 7 77.8% 1 100.0% 0 .0%

Outlet ID

1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 10 100.0% 1 100.0% 7 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 162

Table K33. Outlet Information by Record Type (continued)

Outlet Information

Record Type

7 Credit Card 

Statement

8 Credit Card Charge 

Slip 9 Bank Statement

N % N % N % 

Outlet Name

1 Present 4 100.0% 43 91.5% 12 80.0%

0 Absent 0 .0% 4 8.5% 3 20.0%

Outlet 

Address

1 Present 2 66.7% 39 84.8% 6 46.2%

0 Absent 1 33.3% 7 15.2% 7 53.8%

Outlet 

Phone#

1 Present 1 33.3% 33 71.7% 4 30.8%

0 Absent 2 66.7% 13 28.3% 9 69.2%

Outlet ID

1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 4 100.0% 47 100.0% 15 100.0%

Outlet Information

Record Type

10 Checkbook 

Register 11 Written Notes 12 Other

N % N % N % 

Outlet Name

1 Present 0 .0% 3 33.3% 21 8.8%

0 Absent 0 .0% 6 66.7% 218 91.2%

Outlet 

Address

1 Present 0 .0% 1 20.0% 9 36.0%

0 Absent 0 .0% 4 80.0% 16 64.0%

Outlet 

Phone#

1 Present 0 .0% 1 20.0% 12 48.0%

0 Absent 0 .0% 4 80.0% 13 52.0%

Outlet ID

1 Present 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

0 Absent 0 .0% 9 100.0% 239 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 163

Table K34. Outlet Information by Record Type

Outlet Information

Record Type

All types

N %

Outlet Name

1 Present 2418 89.8%

0 Absent 276 10.2%

Outlet 

Address

1 Present 2167 88.6%

0 Absent 280 11.4%

Outlet 

Phone#

1 Present 2061 84.6%

0 Absent 375 15.4%

Outlet ID

1 Present 0 .0%

0 Absent 2694 100.0%

Table K35. Outlet Address Present by Outlet Type

Outlet 

Address

Outlet Type

1 Brick and 

Mortar

2 

Internet

3 

Phone/Catalog

4 

Other All types

N % N % N % N % N % 

1 Present 2291 90.6% 11 42.3% 0 .0% 11 29.7% 2313 89.2% 

0 Absent 238 9.4% 15 57.7% 0 .0% 26 70.3% 279 10.8% 

Table K36. Outlet Phone Number Present by Outlet Type

Outlet 

Phone #

Outlet Type

1 Brick and 

Mortar 2 Internet 3 Phone/Catalog 4 Other All types

N % N % N % N % N % 

1 Present 2185 86.8% 4 16.0% 0 .0% 13 35.1% 2202 85.3%

0 Absent 333 13.2% 21 84.0% 0 .0% 24 64.9% 378 14.7%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 164

Table K37. Coding Success

Level

Coding 

Completeness

N %

1 Fully coded 8924 90.1%

2 Within 1 of full 60 0.6%

3 Within 2 of full 224 2.3%

4 Within 3 of full 118 1.2%

5 No coding 577 5.8%

Total 9903 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 165

Table K38. Sample of Uncodeable Items

Verbatim Price Rebate 

price

Uncodable

Unidentifiab

le

Comments ADJ 

ID ADJ C ADJ 

Zoom ADJ Cat1 ADJ Cat2 ADJ Cat3 ADJ Comment

ADJ 

Complete

Code 

Level

VOS VAN MNT SHMP 0.99 -- 0 1 1 0 -- 1 5

440EA SCOTTB 005400044605 2.97 -- 0 1 1 0 -- Scott is a tp 

and paper 

towel brand?

1 5

32OZ DIALGOL 3.72 -- 0 1 1 0 -- 1 5

0017331141 4G DECO 3/4 1@ 

3.00

3 -- 0 1 0 1 -- Apparel 

and 

services

 1 5

HMLF CLNR 16OZ 4116345060 2.39 -- 0 1 1 0 -- 1 5

BACK AND NECK 3.08 -- 0 1 1 0 -- 1 5

LUGGAGE/RAIN A -1.59 -- 0 1 Not specified 

what this is but 

it is a negative 

price, some 

kind of 

discount.

1 0 -- 1 5

1 MIX&MATCH 2F250 JUL12 0.88 -- 0 1 1 0 -- 1 5

212080435 KRAFT FB 1.89 -- 0 1 0 1 -- Food Food at 

home

-- 5

GROCERY 0.99 -- 0 1 Maybe a 

grocery bag 

that you can 

purchase at the 

counter to be 

more "green"

1 0 -- 1 5

-- -- 0 0 0 0 -- -- 5

[ITEM UNREADABLE] 3.49 -- 0 1 1 0 -- 1 5
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 166

Table K39. Mismatch at verification

Code-verification 

concordance N % 

1 Complete match 544 69.3

2 Mismatch, same top 

category 176 22.4

3 Unmatched 65 8.3

Total 785 100.0

Table K40. Mismatch at verification by Record Type

Code-verification 

concordance

Record Type

1 Receipt 2 Utility Bill 4 Website 

Printout

5 Package 

Invoice

N % N % N % N % 

1 Complete match 486 68.1% 31 100.0% 0 .0% 3 100.0%

2 Mismatch, same top 

category 176 24.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

3 Unmatched 52 7.3% 0 .0% 1 100.0% 0 .0%

Table K40. Mismatch at verification by Record Type (continued)

Code-verification 

concordance

Record Type

6 Service Invoice 8 Credit Card 

Charge Slip

9 Bank 

Statement 12 Other

N % N % N % N % 

1 Complete match 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 22 91.7%

2 Mismatch, same top 

category 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%

3 Unmatched 0 .0% 1 100.0% 8 100.0% 2 8.3%

Table includes only cases for which an initial coding could be given.

Ten % of items that had not been adjudicated were systematically sampled for verification. The verifier drew 

a random number n from one to 10, Ned to the nth item from the top of the list (skipping adjudicated items), 

and verified every 10th item on the list. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 167

Table K41. Percentage of Items Requiring Adjudication

Item Status N % 

All items needing adjudication 1222 12.3

 (Uncodable item) (580) (47.5) 

 (Unidentifiable item) (642) (52.5) 

Items not needing adjudication 8681 87.7% 

Total 9903 100.0
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 168

Table K42. Expenditure Share for Records and Diaries by Household 

Household Total 

purchases

Records 

purchases rev 

Share in 

records

Diary 

purchases

Share in 

diaries

1 $ 2,356.99 $ 779.62 33.1% $ 1,577.37 66.9%

2 $ 415.28 $ 42.08 10.1% $ 373.20 89.9%

3 $ 2,233.88 $ 1,132.35 50.7% $ 1,101.53 49.3%

4 $ 434.27 $ 328.52 75.6% $ 105.75 24.4%

5 $ 1,402.59 $ 1,402.59 100.0% $ - 0.0%

6 $ 83.58 $ 83.58 100.0% $ - 0.0%

7 $ 553.27 $ 485.10 87.7% $ 68.17 12.3%

8 $ 244.77 $ 151.10 61.7% $ 93.67 38.3%

9 $ 388.17 $ 265.17 68.3% $ 123.00 31.7%

10 $ 1,442.20 $ 1,364.70 94.6% $ 77.50 5.4%

11 $ 233.86 $ 189.01 80.8% $ 44.85 19.2%

12 $ 1,531.45 $ 1,524.88 99.6% $ 6.57 0.4%

13 $ 432.44 $ 3.17 0.7% $ 429.27 99.3%

14 $ 263.29 $ 199.29 75.7% $ 64.00 24.3%

15 $ 457.84 $ 123.44 27.0% $ 334.40 73.0%

16 $ 275.37 $ 183.62 66.7% $ 91.75 33.3%

17 $ 616.42 $ 89.89 14.6% $ 526.53 85.4%

18 $ 648.68 $ 61.64 9.5% $ 587.04 90.5%

19 $ 105.49 $ 96.16 91.2% $ 9.33 8.8%

20 $ 531.34 $ 207.04 39.0% $ 324.30 61.0%

21 $ 3,404.67 $ 365.23 10.7% $ 3,039.44 89.3%

22 $ 1,717.05 $ 1,606.34 93.6% $ 110.71 6.4%

23 $ 92.06 $ 59.55 64.7% $ 32.51 35.3%

24 $ 1,382.62 $ 682.67 49.4% $ 699.95 50.6%

25 $ 144.68 $ 144.68 100.0% $ - 0.0%

26 $ 82.29 $ 82.29 100.0% $ - 0.0%

27 $ 1,134.41 $ 178.88 15.8% $ 955.53 84.2%

28 $ 994.38 $ 0.50 0.1% $ 993.88 99.9%

29 $ 1,317.62 $ 337.76 25.6% $ 979.86 74.4%

30 $ 4,175.61 $ 4,108.76 98.4% $ 66.85 1.6%

31 $ 554.39 $ 528.98 95.4% $ 25.41 4.6%

32 $ 116.43 $ 64.18 55.1% $ 52.25 44.9%

33 $ 254.63 $ 195.59 76.8% $ 59.04 23.2%

34 $ 2,336.54 $ 1,429.36 61.2% $ 907.18 38.8%

35 $ 563.21 $ 554.09 98.4% $ 9.12 1.6%

36 $ 769.84 $ 769.84 100.0% $ - 0.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 169

Table K42. Expenditure Share for Records and Diaries by Household (continued) 

37 $ 1,221.37 $ 274.37 22.5% $ 947.00 77.5%

38 $ 2,311.64 $ 815.25 35.3% $ 1,496.39 64.7%

39 $ 2,500.99 $ 651.39 26.0% $ 1,849.60 74.0%

40 $ 503.36 $ 402.98 80.1% $ 100.38 19.9%

41 $ 2,329.77 $ 285.41 12.3% $ 2,044.36 87.7%

42 $ 1,491.12 $ 696.63 46.7% $ 794.49 53.3%

43 $ 433.59 $ 405.28 93.5% $ 28.31 6.5%

44 $ 1,416.91 $ 1,416.91 100.0% $ - 0.0%

45 $ 413.52 $ 394.61 95.4% $ 18.91 4.6%

46 $ 136.96 $ 136.96 100.0% $ - 0.0%

47 $ 1,102.98 $ 329.34 29.9% $ 773.64 70.1%

48 $ 1,049.68 $ - 0.0% $ 1,049.68 100.0%

49 $ 1,009.18 $ 678.38 67.2% $ 330.80 32.8%

50 $ 1,565.85 $ 1,407.50 89.9% $ 158.35 10.1%

51 $ 1,086.90 $ 517.80 47.6% $ 569.10 52.4%

52 $ 1,598.56 $ 647.47 40.5% $ 951.09 59.5%

53 $ 6,594.97 $ 2,103.34 31.9% $ 4,491.63 68.1%

54 $ 98.16 $ 79.22 80.7% $ 18.94 19.3%

55 $ 177.65 $ 109.65 61.7% $ 68.00 38.3%

56 $ 1,412.32 $ 1,409.32 99.8% $ 3.00 0.2%

57 $ 535.72 $ 380.92 71.1% $ 154.80 28.9%

58 $ 763.20 $ 222.18 29.1% $ 541.02 70.9%

59 $ 375.09 $ 345.09 92.0% $ 30.00 8.0%

60 $ 1,965.07 $ 224.87 11.4% $ 1,740.20 88.6%

61 $ 363.33 $ 363.33 100.0% $ - 0.0%

62 $ 296.53 $ 263.53 88.9% $ 33.00 11.1%

63 $ 988.18 $ 253.68 25.7% $ 734.50 74.3%

64 $ 66.25 $ 50.25 75.8% $ 16.00 24.2%

65 $ 22.95 $ 22.95 100.0% $ - 0.0%

66 $ 2,261.83 $ 1,599.78 70.7% $ 662.05 29.3%

67 $ 798.80 $ 197.80 24.8% $ 601.00 75.2%

68 $ 513.48 $ 292.34 56.9% $ 221.14 43.1%

69 $ 14,322.34 $ 1,224.47 8.5% $ 13,097.87 91.5%

70 $ 125.88 $ 52.66 41.8% $ 73.22 58.2%

71 $ 981.47 $ 301.47 30.7% $ 680.00 69.3%

72 $ 750.48 $ 750.48 100.0% $ - 0.0%

73 $ 50.73 $ 49.73 98.0% $ 1.00 2.0%

74 $ 813.15 $ 354.83 43.6% $ 458.32 56.4%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 170

Table K42. Expenditure Share for Records and Diaries by Household (continued) 

75 $ 1,522.93 $ 1,505.43 98.9% $ 17.50 1.1%

76 $ 45.67 $ 12.01 26.3% $ 33.66 73.7%

77 $ 302.07 $ 302.07 100.0% $ - 0.0%

78 $ 259.41 $ 246.41 95.0% $ 13.00 5.0%

79 $ 1,512.98 $ 1,447.48 95.7% $ 65.50 4.3%

80 $ 127.00 $ - 0.0% $ 127.00 100.0%

81 $ 477.03 $ 323.31 67.8% $ 153.72 32.2%

82 $ 2,225.21 $ 106.57 4.8% $ 2,118.64 95.2%

83 $ 340.03 $ 290.56 85.5% $ 49.47 14.5%

84 $ 536.85 $ 515.01 95.9% $ 21.84 4.1%

85 $ 1,133.74 $ 185.87 16.4% $ 947.87 83.6%

86 $ 1,734.42 $ 1,703.86 98.2% $ 30.56 1.8%

87 $ 607.43 $ 564.97 93.0% $ 42.46 7.0%

88 $ 2,512.03 $ 884.15 35.2% $ 1,627.88 64.8%

89 $ 273.76 $ 18.76 6.9% $ 255.00 93.1%

90 $ 236.93 $ 221.93 93.7% $ 15.00 6.3%

91 $ 634.42 $ 555.28 87.5% $ 79.14 12.5%

92 $ 766.07 $ 136.16 17.8% $ 629.91 82.2%

93 $ 875.79 $ 299.72 34.2% $ 576.07 65.8%

94 $ 610.83 $ 399.38 65.4% $ 211.45 34.6%

95 $ 1,863.38 $ 585.82 31.4% $ 1,277.56 68.6%

96 $ 818.79 $ 419.59 51.2% $ 399.20 48.8%

97 $ 90.03 $ 90.03 100.0% $ - 0.0%

98 $ 1,638.79 $ 1,519.51 92.7% $ 119.28 7.3%

99 $ 690.28 $ 133.96 19.4% $ 556.32 80.6%

100 $ 551.81 $ 551.81 100.0% $ - 0.0%

101 $ 1.09 $ 1.09 100.0% $ - 0.0%

102 $ 1,385.84 $ 768.97 55.5% $ 616.87 44.5%

103 $ 1,336.55 $ 614.86 46.0% $ 721.69 54.0%

104 $ 632.84 $ 632.84 100.0% $ - 0.0%

105 $ 1,886.80 $ 612.48 32.5% $ 1,274.32 67.5%

106 $ 698.26 $ 258.66 37.0% $ 439.60 63.0%

107 $ 671.59 $ 656.84 97.8% $ 14.75 2.2%

108 $ 2,154.11 $ 2,154.11 100.0% $ - 0.0%

109 $ 3.47 $ 3.47 100.0% $ - 0.0%

110 $ 118.00 $ 118.00 100.0% $ - 0.0%

111 $ 161.93 $ 143.51 88.6% $ 18.42 11.4%

112 $ 225.95 $ 225.95 100.0% $ - 0.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 171

Table K42. Expenditure Share for Records and Diaries by Household (continued)

113 $ 578.16 $ 471.59 81.6% $ 106.57 18.4%

114 $ 1,314.95 $ 1,276.95 97.1% $ 38.00 2.9%

115 $ 730.86 $ 606.79 83.0% $ 124.07 17.0%

116 $ 2,311.03 $ 1,156.34 50.0% $ 1,154.69 50.0%

117 $ 561.72 $ 467.16 83.2% $ 94.56 16.8%

118 $ 1,436.23 $ 1,436.23 100.0% $ - 0.0%

119 $ 429.96 $ 396.96 92.3% $ 33.00 7.7%

120 $ 38.20 $ 7.67 20.1% $ 30.53 79.9%

121 $ 3,459.79 $ 254.24 7.3% $ 3,205.55 92.7%

122 $ 916.70 $ 882.95 96.3% $ 33.75 3.7%

123 $ 303.43 $ 199.50 65.7% $ 103.93 34.3%

124 $ 69.41 $ 16.41 23.6% $ 53.00 76.4%

125 $ 25.45 $ 5.45 21.4% $ 20.00 78.6%

126 $ 206.95 $ 175.20 84.7% $ 31.75 15.3%

127 $ 1,598.27 $ 1,558.27 97.5% $ 40.00 2.5%

128 $ 730.71 $ 681.15 93.2% $ 49.56 6.8%

129 $ 2,365.00 $ 989.16 41.8% $ 1,375.84 58.2% 

130 $ 306.61 $ 306.61 100.0% $ - 0.0%

131 $ 237.86 $ 237.86 100.0% $ - 0.0%

132 $ 3,498.68 $ 3,392.73 97.0% $ 105.95 3.0%

133 $ 436.72 $ 436.72 100.0% $ - 0.0%

134 $ 537.41 $ 537.41 100.0% $ - 0.0%

135 $ 4,064.14 $ 4,064.14 100.0% $ - 0.0%

136 $ 1,621.44 $ 1,621.44 100.0% $ - 0.0%

137 $ 668.10 $ 476.10 71.3% $ 192.00 28.7%

138 $ 148.14 $ 148.14 100.0% $ - 0.0%

139 $ 1,985.86 $ 1,625.92 81.9% $ 359.94 18.1%

140 $ 818.21 $ 680.49 83.2% $ 137.72 16.8%

141 $ 190.46 $ 190.46 100.0% $ - 0.0%

142 $ 710.04 $ 630.73 88.8% $ 79.31 11.2%

143 $ 88.57 $ 65.57 74.0% $ 23.00 26.0%

144 $ 1,351.52 $ 1,351.52 100.0% $ - 0.0%

145 $ 463.46 $ 463.46 100.0% $ - 0.0%

146 $ 100.19 $ 100.19 100.0% $ - 0.0%

147 $ 145.02 $ 145.02 100.0% $ - 0.0%

148 $ 200.66 $ 150.66 75.1% $ 50.00 24.9%

149 $ 145.96 $ 144.96 99.3% $ 1.00 0.7%

150 $ 376.04 $ 364.29 96.9% $ 11.75 3.1%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 172

Table K42. Expenditure Share for Records and Diaries by Household (continued)

151 $ 1,391.60 $ - 0.0% $ 1,391.60 100.0%

152 $ 1,924.80 $ 363.40 18.9% $ 1,561.40 81.1%

Note: Total purchases for scanned records was based on either the record price or the sum of item 

prices, whichever was greater. Some records did not provide price at the item level.

Table K43. Expenditure Share by CECAT 1

CE Category 1 Item price

Sum Share of total

Food $18,401.51 36.8%

Alcoholic beverages $1,421.55 2.8%

Housing $7,411.14 14.8%

Apparel and services $6,913.68 13.8%

Transportation $4,899.16 9.8%

Healthcare $1,333.55 2.7%

Entertainment $2,224.95 4.5%

Personal care products and services $2,389.79 4.8%

Reading $178.63 .4%

Education $17.74 .0%

Tobacco products and smoking supplies $271.35 .5%

Miscellaneous $2,529.72 5.1%

Cash contributions $1,833.15 3.7%

Personal insurance and pensions $172.26 .3%

Total $49,993.93 100.0%

*Defined for the 9,762 items with non-missing Price.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 173

Graph K1. Mean number of records per household by day in sample period. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 174

DEBRIEFING QUESTIONNAIRE

RESPONDENT DEBRIEFING

Table K44. Number of Record Keepers

N %

1 57 37.5%

2 46 30.3%

3 25 16.4%

4 11 7.2%

5 10 6.6%

6 2 1.3%

11 1 0.7%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K45. Relationship of Record Keeper #2 to Respondent

N %

Spouse 32 33.7%

Girl/Boyfriend 7 7.4%

Parent 24 25.3%

In-law 0 0.0%

Aunt/Uncle 1 1.1%

Son/Daughter 8 8.4%

Foster Child 0 0.0%

Niece/Nephew 0 0.0%

Grandchild 3 3.2%

Cousin 0 0.0%

Boarder 0 0.0%

Roommate 4 4.2%

Other non-related person 3 3.2%

Sibling 9 9.5%

Grandparent 4 4.2%

Total 95 100.2%

Note: Not applicable = 57 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 175

Table K46. Relationship of Record Keeper #3 to Respondent

N %

Spouse 0 0.0%

Girl/Boyfriend 1 2.0%

Parent 16 32.7%

In-law 1 2.0%

Aunt/Uncle 1 2.0%

Son/Daughter 14 28.6%

Foster Child 0 0.0%

Niece/Nephew 0 0.0%

Grandchild 2 4.1%

Cousin 1 2.0%

Boarder 0 0.0%

Roommate 0 0.0%

Other non-related person 2 4.1%

Sibling 9 18.4%

Grandparent 2 4.1%

Total 49 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 103 cases.

Table K47. Relationship of Record Keeper #4 to Respondent

N %

Spouse 1 4.3%

Girl/Boyfriend 0 0.0%

Parent 3 13.0%

In-law 0 0.0%

Aunt/Uncle 2 8.7%

Son/Daughter 2 8.7%

Foster Child 0 0.0%

Niece/Nephew 0 0.0%

Grandchild 2 8.7%

Cousin 0 0.0%

Boarder 0 0.0%

Roommate 0 0.0%

Other non-related person 0 0.0%

Sibling 13 56.5%

Grandparent 0 0.0%

Total 23 99.9%

Note: Not applicable = 129 cases. Missing data = 1 case.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 176

Table K48. Relationship of Record Keeper #5 to Respondent

N %

Spouse 0 0.0%

Girl/Boyfriend 0 0.0%

Parent 1 7.7%

In-law 0 0.0%

Aunt/Uncle 1 7.7%

Son/Daughter 0 0.0%

Foster Child 0 0.0%

Niece/Nephew 0 0.0%

Grandchild 2 15.4%

Cousin 0 0.0%

Boarder 0 0.0%

Roommate 0 0.0%

Other non-related person 0 0.0%

Sibling 9 69.2%

Grandparent 0 0.0%

Total 13 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 139 cases.

Table K49. QUESTION 1: How Easy or Difficult was it for

you to Collect Records?

N %

Very easy 76 50.0%

Somewhat easy 48 31.6%

Neither easy nor difficult 12 7.9%

Somewhat difficult 9 5.9%

Very difficult 7 4.6%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 177

Table K50. QUESTION 2: Time Spent Collecting Records 

(minutes)

N %

No Time 2 1.3%

1 2 1.3%

2 2 1.3%

5 8 5.4%

10 11 7.4%

15 12 8.1%

20 12 8.1%

25 2 1.3%

28 2 1.3%

30 17 11.4%

35 1 0.7%

40 2 1.3%

42 1 0.7%

45 4 2.7%

59 1 0.7%

60 36 24.2%

75 2 1.3%

80 1 0.7%

90 3 2.0%

120 9 6.0%

140 2 1.3%

150 2 1.3%

180 4 2.7%

210 1 0.7%

240 4 2.7%

300 1 0.7%

420 2 1.3%

480 1 0.7%

601 1 0.7%

720 1 0.7%

Note: Missing data = 3 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 178

Graph K2. Histogram of Time Spent Collecting Records

0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480 520 560 600 640 680 720

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Percent

Time spent collecting records (mins)
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 179

Table K51. QUESTION 3: Time Spent on Diary (minutes)

N %

Did not use diary 32 21.2%

1 2 1.3%

2 8 5.3%

3 2 1.3%

4 1 0.7%

5 10 6.6%

8 1 0.7%

10 12 7.9%

15 11 7.3%

20 13 8.6%

25 1 0.7%

30 27 17.9%

33 1 0.7%

45 6 4.0%

60 10 6.6%

70 3 2.0%

75 1 0.7%

90 3 2.0%

120 4 2.6%

140 2 1.3%

180 1 0.7%

Note: Missing data = 1 case.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 180

Graph K3. Histogram of Time Spent Completing Diaries

0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480 520 560 600 640 680 720

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Percent

Time spent on diary (mins)
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 181

Table K52. QUESTION 4: Amount of Records Saved

N %

Just about none 0 0.0%

A few 3 2.0%

Some 10 6.6%

Most 40 26.3%

Just about all 99 65.1%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 182

Table K53. QUESTION 5: Why were you not able to save all the records?

N %

"I would forget or misplace them" 1 0.7

"not good at saving receipts, focusing on work in house" 1 0.7

A few I don't get receipts e.g., farmers markets 1 0.7

Accidentally threw some away, sometimes mom forgot, or I forgot 1 0.7

Because I forgot. The first couple of days I forgot. 1 0.7

Because I usually forget the receipt in the bag & it in turn goes into the garbage. 1 0.7

Because some purchases I didn't get a receipt, and also some purchases I didn't use to 

keep receipts so I forgot. 1 0.7

beer at baseball 1 0.7

busy, tendency to throw things out, some of the receipts are very small and easy to 

miss 1 0.7

Cause I forgot or because they were too wrinkled, I just threw them away. 1 0.7

Cause I was at school, taking care of my son, and I was sleeping. 1 0.7

Couldn't get receipts-over the phone-forgot to collect the receipts 1 0.7

Cuz some of the receipts got lost 1 0.7

Did not get one or just wrote in diary. 1 0.7

Didn't ask for a receipt, used show card as a reminder of what I purchased earlier 1 0.7

Didn't remember 1 0.7

Don't keep good records especially smaller receipts. Do keep larger receipts, don't do 

a lot of shopping. 1 0.7

Either I probably dropped it or forgot to ask for one 1 0.7

Forgot 1 0.7

Forgot a few. Not given in some places 1 0.7

Forgot until I got the hang of it. 1 0.7

Had to return a few purchases and did not keep receipts 1 0.7

I ended up losing some. 1 0.7

I forgot 2 1.3

I forgot about the receipts because I do not save receipts. 1 0.7

I forgot the receipts or threw them away. 1 0.7

I just could not remember. I would forget. 1 0.7

I lost a few 1 0.7

I lost some of them 1 0.7

I lost some. 1 0.7

I tossed mine away with the bag. My niece destroyed some of them. 1 0.7

I walk out of the store fast, I don't always take the receipt. 1 0.7

I was not very organized. With the kids it was distracting 1 0.7

In some cases, the receipts did not reflect the tip do I just wrote it in the journal. 

Otherwise, a receipt was not provided. 1 0.7

Just forgot to get them all. 1 0.7

Left at register or I did not receive one. 1 0.7

Most of the time I would forget to save a receipt 1 0.7

Online payments - ins., credit card. Sharing dinner bills 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 183

purchased online but no confirmation of receipt during time period 1 0.7

Sent granddaughter to the store and I did not realize she did not get my receipt 1 0.7

some got lost. Or I did not receive a receipt. 1 0.7

Some I forgot, some they didn't provide. 1 0.7

Some of the receipts were too personal, my mom & sister didn't want to give them to 

me.

1 0.7

sometimes I forgot 1 0.7

Sometimes I forgot threw away didn't get receipts, online credit card payments, 

misplaced some of them 1 0.7

Store didn’t give me receipt 1 0.7

They didn't give them 1 0.7

We sometimes forgot about small purchases 1 0.7

When I used the taxi, I wasn't able to get a receipt 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 99 cases. Missing data = 3 cases.

Table K54. QUESTION 6: Were there purchases for which

you could not save records?

N %

No 92 60.5%

Yes 60 39.5%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K55. QUESTION 6A: What kinds of purchases were those?

N %

1 phone transaction-no receipt, CTA-bus, Lottery Tix 1 0.7

7/11 convenience store, I left without a receipt 1 0.7

barber shop / Hair Cut 1 0.7

Best buy store, game stop, & local corner store. 1 0.7

Block party, Ticket & drinks at party. 1 0.7

Bus fare, getting to work, you put $$ on the card at the machine and it doesn't print 

a receipt. 1 0.7

Bus Pass 1 0.7

Car Payment 1 0.7

Childcare services 1 0.7

Cigarettes 1 0.7

Concession stand purchases 1 0.7

Corner Store 1 0.7

Credit card bills 1 0.7

CTA 1 0.7

CTA, bus fare 1 0.7

cta, things like that 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 184

Didn't have it mind to save records when spending on some furgo (handwriting 

illegible, copied exactly as written) 1 0.7

Farmer's Markt, Transit/Bus-adding $ to card. 1 0.7

Farmers Market 1 0.7

Gas station- broken receipt at pumps 1 0.7

Gas station 1 0.7

Gas stations, vending machines 1 0.7

grocery store 1 0.7

Hotel receipts 1 0.7

I threw one receipt away. 1 0.7

Ice cream truck. Vending machine. 1 0.7

junk food. No receipt for bus. I recorded them in diary. 1 0.7

Lemonade stand, yard sale, bars 1 0.7

library vending machine 1 0.7

Like at the movie theatre I forgot. Or at gas station. 1 0.7

Maxwell Street (spend $35 or so at the maxwell st Sunday 7-29) 1 0.7

Money spent on CTA, food purchases by sons. 1 0.7

Offering and loaning money 1 0.7

On line, phone orders 1 0.7

online and toll 1 0.7

online had one over the phone and the corner store that not give a receipt 1 0.7

online or at a local corner store 1 0.7

Online purchases or over the phone but recorded them. 1 0.7

online. 1 0.7

Open Produce 1 0.7

Over the phones-cable bills, cell phones, ATM Card-Debit 1 0.7

point of service - cta, etc 1 0.7

rent, loose cigarettes bought on the street, individual beverages purchases 1 0.7

Restaurant-forgot receipt on table, paid cash 1 0.7

Same - the taxi 1 0.7

same thing (they didn't give them) 1 0.7

Small vendor 1 0.7

Some gasoline purchases 1 0.7

Street fair-hat 1 0.7

Stuff off the street (wouldn't elaborate), 1 0.7

The check I wrote, but that's a record, so no. 1 0.7

Those are the ones in the diary restaurant, grocery store, ice cream truck 1 0.7

Tollway. CTA bus pass 1 0.7

Vending machine (buy ice cream) Laundry machines (newspapers) 1 0.7

Vendors at a street carnival 1 0.7

When I got ice cream from the ice cream truck 1 0.7

When they weren't provided: Pace paratransit van 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 92 cases. Missing data = 3 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 185

Table K56. QUESTION 7: Were there 

purchases for which you could have 

collected a record but did not?

N %

No 125 82.2%

Yes 27 17.8%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K57. QUESTION 7A: What kinds of purchases were those?

N %

A receipt I got from the currency exchange when I cashed my check and the 

grocery store

1 0.7

A retreat. My canceled check will be my receipt [x in diary] 1 0.7

At work. I'm a cashier at a casual restaurant. If I get something, I sometimes forget 

to get receipt. 1 0.7

automatic deductions 1 0.7

Beer 1 0.7

Bought newspaper 1 0.7

coffee 1 0.7

Drinks at restaurant 1 0.7

Food purchase at a food market and restaurants. 1 0.7

Gas station 1 0.7

Gas stations, restaurants, usually just leave it there 1 0.7

Gas, Online 1 0.7

Gasoline 1 0.7

ice cream shop, glue from hardware store 1 0.7

Like at gas station. 1 0.7

Like I said at movies or gas station. 1 0.7

one time @ mcdonalds 1 0.7

Purchases were food on the go and it was hard to collect them. CTA-bus pass. 1 0.7

restaurant 1 0.7

Restaurants 1 0.7

restaurants, cigarettes, compact disc. 1 0.7

Taste if Chicago coupons and I forgot to record the coupons I bought until later 1 0.7

Taxi, $ given to sons, automatic paymentsMissing payments go out of checking 

account, mortgage, comed, 2 doctors 1 0.7

That was when I left the gas station (in the 1st few days) and then I went to 

subway and forgot. 1 0.7

The grocery store and the restaurant. 1 0.7

toll-forgot 1 0.7

transit 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 125 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 186

Table K58. QUESTION 7B: Why did you not collect a record?

N %

Always forgot 1 0.7

automatic deductions, student loans, things like that 1 0.7

forgot 2 1.3

Forgot about the coupons I bought 1 0.7

forgot and unable to with $ given to her sons 1 0.7

Forgot to get write + forgot all about it + didn't record in diary 1 0.7

forgot, lost 1 0.7

Husband went to bar and did not get a receipt 1 0.7

I forgot 2 1.3

I forgot to get it or I was in a hurry and did not go back to get it. 1 0.7

I forgot, in a hurry 1 0.7

I forgot. 1 0.7

I told the cashiers to keep the receipts, I would forget. 1 0.7

I was in a rush and I forgot 1 0.7

It was hard to collect CTA-doesn't give receipt. 1 0.7

Lost one card and forgot to take the other one. 1 0.7

Machine not working or I was trying to stay on my schedule 1 0.7

Misplacement 1 0.7

my husband lost the receipt but remember how much it was 1 0.7

Not sure why 1 0.7

prefer not to save 2 1 0.7

Sometimes if another cashier checked me out I did not get a receipt. 1 0.7

Waiting on cancelled check 1 0.7

Wrote in diary 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 125 cases. Missing data = 1 case. 

Table K59. QUESTION 8: Are all purchases 

without record in diary?

N %

No 19 21.8%

Yes 68 78.2%

Total 87 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 64 cases. Missing data = 1 

case.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 187

Table K60. QUESTION 9: Why were you NOT able to write all purchases without a record in the 

diary? 

N %

Because I did not know if it was appropriate, since "I forgot" was maybe not an 

appropriate response. 1 0.7

Except for Amazon-R collected all receipts 1 0.7

forgot 2 1.3

I could not remember. I know I went for like cigarettes, or candy 1 0.7

I don't keep up with records unless I need them for taxes or materials purchased like 

(illegible) now for repairs or lawn mower fixed. 1 0.7

I forget. After a few days I get in to habits and did better. 1 0.7

I forgot the gas receipt. 1 0.7

I just did not take the time 1 0.7

I would forget. 1 0.7

It slipped his mind, he didn't think about it 1 0.7

It was not necessary. I had all receipts. 1 0.7

Just got tired. I was very busy. I had a lot of things on my mind with people in town and 

kids going away to school. 1 0.7

My husband threw away a few 1 0.7

No need for diary for any family member 1 0.7

one from mcdonalds $2 drink. 1 0.7

Personal 1 0.7

She can't find it - it could be that I never gave her one, or it could be that she misplaced 

it (chaotic two-person hand-off on street - Sorry!) 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 132 cases. Missing data = 2 cases.

Table K61. QUESTION 10: Did you receive any bank or credit card statements?

N %

No 111 73.5%

Yes 40 26.5%

Total 151 100.0%

Note: "Don't know" = 1 case. 

Table K62. QUESTION 11: Did you put those statements...?

N %

In the record storage box 5 12.8%

In your receipt wallet 13 33.3%

Somewhere else 11 28.2%

Did not save 10 25.6%

Total 39 99.9%

Note: "Don't know" = 1 case. Not applicable = 111 cases. Missing data = 1 case. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 188

Table K63. QUESTION 11: Somewhere else: specify where?

N %

A drawer 1 0.7

Diary 1 0.7

File cabinet 1 0.7

folder 1 0.7

In diary 1 0.7

In each folder 1 0.7

In the diary 1 0.7

On table 1 0.7

on the shelf 1 0.7

Paid on line 1 0.7

The manila file 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 141 cases. 

Table K64. QUESTION 11A: [IF NOT SAVED], Why not?

N %

"Don't want to give my information" 1 0.7

Because it had personal information 1 0.7

Because R had the receipts for the same purchases. 1 0.7

confidential 1 0.7

Confidentiality Concerns 1 0.7

Confidentiality issues 1 0.7

Had to ask for copies for something going on right now 1 0.7

I recorded it 1 0.7

just printed out today 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 142 cases. Missing data = 1 case.

Table K65. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with CASH

N %

No 3 2.0%

Yes 149 98.0%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 189

Table K66. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with CREDIT 

CARD

N %

No 69 45.4%

Yes 83 54.6%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K67. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with DEBIT 

CARD

N %

No 54 35.5%

Yes 98 64.5%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K68. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with 

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SERVICE

N %

No 112 73.7%

Yes 40 26.3%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K69. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with 

AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWALS OR PAYMENTS

N %

No 88 57.9%

Yes 64 42.1%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K70. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with OTHER

N %

No 113 74.3%

Yes 39 25.7%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 190

Table K71. QUESTION 12: Purchase made with OTHER: Specify

N %

Bonus bucks from CVS-used the coupon 1 0.7

check 1 0.7

checks 6 3.9

Checks 3 2.0

coupons 1 0.7

EBT 2 1.3

Gift card 1 0.7

gift card, link card 1 0.7

gift cards 3 2.0

Gift cards, moneygram, link card 1 0.7

gift cards, store credit cards 1 0.7

Instead of automatic-goes through bank teller. LinkABT. 1 0.7

Link 3 2.0

Link (EBT) 1 0.7

Link (EBT) / WiC Vouchers 1 0.7

Link card 3 2.0

Link card, gift card 1 0.7

Link or Snap 1 0.7

money order 1 0.7

Money Order 1 0.7

on a debit card-credit card 1 0.7

out of phone 1 0.7

Personal check 1 0.7

Telephone - paid over phone 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 113 cases. Missing data = 1 case.

Table K72. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with 

receipts: save ALL OR MOST

N %

No 93 61.2%

Yes 59 38.8%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 191

Table K73. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with 

receipts: save for PURCHASES OVER CERTAIN AMOUNT

N %

No 115 75.7%

Yes 37 24.3%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K74. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with 

receipts: save for ITEMS YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETURN

N %

No 75 49.3%

Yes 77 50.7%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K75. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with 

receipts: DO NOT SAVE

N %

No 97 63.8%

Yes 55 36.2%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K76. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: 

OTHER

N %

No 121 79.6%

Yes 31 20.4%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 192

Table K77. QUESTION 13: What R usually does with receipts: OTHER: Specify

N %

bank account statements 1 0.7

bills, I save them all 1 0.7

depends on financial & mortgage 1 0.7

Don't save receipts like McDonalds or everyday things 1 0.7

everything is online. 1 0.7

for electric ideas 1 0.7

I save for what may be taxable, something for a deductible. 1 0.7

I shred them 1 0.7

If it involves a warranty, something electronic. 1 0.7

if needed to submit for reimbursement I'll keep it 1 0.7

If very important, save them (e.g., job statements for taxes next year) 1 0.7

Keep them for a month or two 1 0.7

Keep them for a month or two & then shred. Or sometimes shred them. 1 0.7

Keeps them for about a week to see if she needs to check something. 1 0.7

Majority of the time, I throw in the trash 1 0.7

money orders - I keep them. All other stuff - I rip it into little pieces & throw it away. 

I do save medical bills. 1 0.7

save all for awhile and ten throw them away 1 0.7

Save bank statements-save 6 months 1 0.7

save for a while 1 0.7

Save for about 2 months and then throw them out 1 0.7

save gas and credit card statements 1 0.7

save only bank statements 1 0.7

Save them for about 12 mos. 1 0.7

Save them for tax purposes 1 0.7

Save them, document them, & then shred. 1 0.7

shred them 1 0.7

Shred them, Save bank statements 1 0.7

Some throw away. Elecronics-keep, food-no. 1 0.7

Sometimes I lose them 1 0.7

Throw away 1 0.7

to keep track of my money 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 121 cases.

Table K78. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in WALLET, PURSE, or 

BRIEFCASE

N %

No 125 82.2%

Yes 27 17.8%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 193

Table K79. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in BOX or BAG

N %

No 116 76.3%

Yes 36 23.7%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K80. QUESTION 14: Paper Records: R saves in DESIGNATED 

SPOT in HOME or OFFICE

N %

No 110 72.4%

Yes 42 27.6%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K81. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in FILE CABINET

N %

No 133 87.5%

Yes 19 12.5%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K82. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in OTHER

N %

No 118 77.6%

Yes 34 22.4%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 194

Table K83. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R saves in OTHER: Specify

N %

A drawer 2 1.3

Basket 1 0.7

Coffee bucket/ or shoe box 1 0.7

computer 1 0.7

desk drawer 1 0.7

Desk drawer 1 0.7

drawer 3 2.0

Drawer 1 0.7

drawer w/ other papers - I put them in a cubby in the desk 1 0.7

Drawer, bag, cabinets 1 0.7

envelope 1 0.7

has long legal envelopes for all receipts 1 0.7

I just kind of stuck them somewhere for tax puirp in my 

2012 tax file 1 0.7

I put them everywhere. I do need to find a spot & be more 

organized. 1 0.7

in a bag or a drawer 1 0.7

in a bag./somewhere 1 0.7

In a drawer 1 0.7

in a file folder 1 0.7

in drawer & safe deposit box 1 0.7

In envelope 1 0.7

junk drawer 2 1.3

Junk drawer 1 0.7

Keep them in a drawer 1 0.7

my dresser 1 0.7

on top of refrigerator 1 0.7

Plastic bag for the year for her taxes. 1 0.7

regular drawer for important things 1 0.7

Under bed. 1 0.7

usually in a box next to desk 1 0.7

wallet to dresser drawer 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable: 118 cases.

Table K84. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R DOES NOT STORE

N %

No 124 81.6%

Yes 28 18.4%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 195

Table K85. QUESTION 14: Paper records: R STORES BUT HAS NO 

SYSTEM

N %

No 147 96.7%

Yes 5 3.3%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K86. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: SAVE ALL OR 

ALMOST ALL

N %

No 115 75.7%

Yes 37 24.3%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K87. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: Save for 

PURCHASES OVER CERTAIN AMOUNT

N %

No 140 92.1%

Yes 12 7.9%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K88. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: Save for ITEMS 

YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETURN

N %

No 135 88.8%

Yes 17 11.2%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K89. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: LEAVE/SAVE IN 

ONLINE ACN

N %

No 114 75.0%

Yes 38 25.0%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 196

Table K90. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: DO NOT TEND TO 

SAVE

N %

No 134 88.2%

Yes 18 11.8%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K91. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: OTHER

N %

No 144 94.7%

Yes 8 5.3%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K92. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: OTHER: Specify

N %

I record them in my checkbook and that's it 1 0.7

I try to get everything on paper-I don't open the online bill 

usually 1 0.7

only bank statements 1 0.7

Print out and put in drawer. Just want a hard copy. 1 0.7

R has electronic bills but for her business only, not personal. 1 0.7

save them for 2 years 1 0.7

save them in my email 1 0.7

Save them in my email 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 144 cases. 

Table K93. QUESTION 14b: Electronic records: DOES NOT RECEIVE 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS

N %

No 91 59.9%

Yes 61 40.1%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 197

Table K94. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: PRINT AND 

STORE

N %

No 71 80.7%

Yes 17 19.3%

Total 88 100.0%

Note: Not applicable 61 cases. Missing data = 3 cases. 

Table K95. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: SAVE AN 

ELECTRONIC FILE

N %

No 65 73.9%

Yes 23 26.1%

Total 88 100.0%

Note: Not applicable 61 cases. Missing data = 3 cases. 

Table K96. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: LEAVE IN 

WEBSITE OR EMAIL ACN

N %

No 44 50.0%

Yes 44 50.0%

Total 88 100.0%

Note: Not applicable 61 cases. Missing data = 3 cases. 

Table K97. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: OTHER

N %

No 85 96.6%

Yes 3 3.4%

Total 88 100.0%

Note: Not applicable 61 cases. Missing data = 3 cases. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 198

Table K98. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: OTHER: Specify

N %

I record them in my checkbook and that's it 1 0.7

I try to get everything on paper-I don't open the online bill 

usually 1 0.7

only bank statements 1 0.7

Print out and put in drawer. Just want a hard copy. 1 0.7

R has electronic bills but for her business only, not personal. 1 0.7

save them for 2 years 1 0.7

save them in my email 1 0.7

Save them in my email 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 144 cases. 

Table K99. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: DO NOT STORE 

RECORDS

N %

No 74 84.1%

Yes 14 15.9%

Total 88 100.0%

Note: Not applicable 61 cases. Missing data = 3 cases. 

Table K100. QUESTION 15: Where save electronic records: STORES 

RECORDS BUT NOT SYSTEMATIC

N %

No 88 100.0%

Yes 0 0.0%

Total 88 100.0%

Note: Not applicable 61 cases. Missing data = 3 cases. 

Table K101. QUESTION 16: Do you keep a check register?

N %

No 61 40.1%

Yes 48 31.6%

R does not write checks 43 28.3%

Total 152 100.0%
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 199

Table K102. QUESTION 17: Did you use the records storage box?

N %

No 44 29.1%

Yes 107 70.9%

Total 151 100.0%

Table K103. QUESTION 17a: [IF R DID NOT USE BOX] Why not?

N %

All purchases were on debit card. All I had to do was get a print 

out.

1 0.7

Could not give her one [a box] 1 0.7

Did not receive a box 4 2.6

Did not receive box 2 1.3

I could not give her one [a box] 1 0.7

I could not provide him a brown box 1 0.7

I did not need it 1 0.7

I didn't need it 1 0.7

I do not think it was required. 1 0.7

I just didn't 1 0.7

I just kept everything in her plastic wallet. 1 0.7

I ran out - could not give her one [a box] 1 0.7

I would forget. 1 0.7

It was more convenient to just use the wallet. 1 0.7

Just the wallet-didn't occur to me 1 0.7

na did not give brown box; none supplied 1 0.7

No because I used the receipt wallet 1 0.7

no box given 1 0.7

No reason - used wallet 1 0.7

None [no box] provided 2 1.3

none provided. 1 0.7

not given one 1 0.7

ran out of them (not provided to participant) 1 0.7

stained 1 0.7

Storage box was not provided 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 200

The wallet was easier 1 0.7

The wallet was more convenient 1 0.7

Wallet was easier 1 0.7

We could not give her one (R did not receive box from FI) 1 0.7

We could not give her one [a box] 1 0.7

We had run out. 2 1.3

Note: Not applicable = 108 cases. Missing data = 7 cases.

Table K104. QUESTION 18: Did you use 

the diary?

N %

No 31 20.4%

Yes 121 79.6%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K105. QUESTION 18a: [IF R DID NOT USE DIARY] Why not?

N %

Because all my purchases had receipts for them. 1 0.7

Because I thought I had everything covered. It seemed repetitive - I had receipts and 

I'm secretive by nature. 1 0.7

Did not need the Diary 1 0.7

Did not need to. 1 0.7

Didn't need to as I had all the receipts 1 0.7

Had a receipt for everything. 1 0.7

Had all the records. 1 0.7

I did not have a need for it. 1 0.7

I do not like to do too much writing 1 0.7

I got all my receipts. 1 0.7

I had a receipt for everything. 1 0.7

I had all my receipts-There was no need 1 0.7

I had receipts for everything. 1 0.7

I had the receipts 1 0.7

I misplaced it 1 0.7

It was not necessary. I had all my receipts. 1 0.7

No need 1 0.7

No need. 1 0.7

No records to record. 1 0.7

No time, I forgot sometims 1 0.7

She had receipts for everything 1 0.7

Was I supposed to? No undocumented purchases. Had receipt for everything 1 0.7

We don't know if she lost it or if I never gave it to her 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 121 cases. Missing data = 8 cases. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 201

Table K106. QUESTION 19: Did you use 

the receipt wallet?

N %

No 9 5.9%

Yes 143 94.1%

Total 152 100.0%

Table K107. QUESTION 19a: [IF R DID NOT USE WALLET} Why not?

N %

didn't have any 1 0.7

I didn't need it. 1 0.7

I just threw them [receipts] in the folder - I forgot about it. 1 0.7

It was easy to just put them in the folder. 1 0.7

Just seemed easier to put in folder had pile in desk could not fold it 1 0.7

Kept in her wallet 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 143 cases. Missing data = 3 cases. 

Table K108. QUESTION 20: How could we make it easier for you to keep records?

N %

"It's fine the way it is" 1 0.7

"It was easy, I can't think of Anything" 1 0.7

"It was fine just the way it was" 1 0.7

"no, It was actually easy" 1 0.7

"The was it is was O.K." 1 0.7

Bigger plastic wallet (it was bursting & ripped). Receipts not uniform size 1 0.7

BLANK 6 3.9

Couldn't make it any easier 1 0.7

Credit card and bank statements made it extremely easy. Keep allowing bank and cc 

statement printouts. 1 0.7

Define when a purchase is made via credit & the payment it actually a month later. 

Is this a duplication problem because they are both expenditure. She paid off her 

credit card but the purchase made made at another date.

1 0.7

Easy 1 0.7

Electronic option 1 0.7

Everything you guys did was good. 1 0.7

fine 1 0.7

Fine 1 0.7

Fine. Most important thing plastic beneficial in plock. File is good. 1 0.7

For most part it was easy-electronic save or upload (of receipts by respondent) 1 0.7

Give forgetful people a smaller wallet top put in a purpose or just a memo pad or 

book so that I'd remember-something to put on your person just like the diary but 

small enough to carry with you.

1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 202

Good idea for plastic wallet. Her daughters have been asking her to keep records 1 0.7

Had one card to use for 2 weeks and point of card online of purchases for 2 weeks 1 0.7

Had small file to sort everything by date and separate by categories. 1 0.7

He thinks system pretty good 1 0.7

Honest I don't think you guys could have made it any easier (named off the items) -

Diary, receipt, wallet, file folder, even an individual file folder. 1 0.7

I'm not sure. It was pretty straight-forward. 1 0.7

I can't think of anything. I was easy. 1 0.7

I did not care for the wallet. 1 0.7

I don't know, I have no intelligent thing to add. This was fine. 1 0.7

I don't know. It was very easy. You just got to put he receipt in the wallet. 1 0.7

I don't need to record, for what reason do I want to keep a receipt? 1 0.7

I don't think it could be any easier, frankly. It was wonderful. 1 0.7

I don't think it could be easier-it's not very hard to remember. 1 0.7

I don't think there really is a way to make it easier; it's pretty straight-forward 1 0.7

I don’t think you can make it any easier than it was 1 0.7

I feel it was very easy as it was. 1 0.7

I guess keep giving me the supplies to collect them. 1 0.7

I think it's pretty easy 1 0.7

I think it was fine. It was a learning experience- It made me conscience of keeping 

track of my purchases. 1 0.7

I think the wallet worked fine. It's a great idea. 1 0.7

I think they need a larger incentive. The wallet was fine. 1 0.7

I think you could put more pages in the diary. Otherwise it was fine. 1 0.7

I thought it was quite easy. 1 0.7

Include month calendar so can initial and take notes then later record 1 0.7

Is there any to avoid the diary because if someone may go in hands of someone 

else's hands - confidentiality. Worried about stores+stocks+ (data) effects shipping. 1 0.7

Isn't there some way for you to monitor my purchases electronically, a way to 

transfer my records to you without printing. 1 0.7

It's fine just the way it is. 1 0.7

It's fine, maybe at beginning - emphasize to check daily. 1 0.7

it's good 1 0.7

It's good 1 0.7

It's super easy. 1 0.7

It couldn't have been any easier 1 0.7

It doesn't get easier than that. 1 0.7

It helped me be organized daily. 1 0.7

It is fine. 1 0.7

It seemed easy already. I don't think anything could make it easier. 1 0.7

It was a fine job. Maybe the diary would have been a problem, but I didn't need it. 1 0.7

it was easy 1 0.7

It was easy 4 2.6

It was easy enough with the receipt wallet & diary 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 203

It was easy the way it was. 1 0.7

It was easy. 3 2.0

It was easy. But sometimes for really small cash purch. It's hard to get a receipt. 1 0.7

It was easy. It was just me. I don't know. 1 0.7

It was easy. No comments. 1 0.7

It was easy. The wallet work good. 1 0.7

It was fine- well organized 1 0.7

It was fine like it was. I had no trouble. 1 0.7

It was fine. No suggestions. 1 0.7

It was kind of easy. 1 0.7

It was not that difficult. 1 0.7

It was perfect. 1 0.7

It was pretty easy 1 0.7

It was pretty easy to keep records as long as I remembered 1 0.7

It was pretty easy. 1 0.7

It was really easy. You gave me a file folder, receipt wallet. I can't think of anything 

else. 1 0.7

It was very [easy?] for me. Just putting them in the wallet was easy. 1 0.7

It was very convenient. No problems except wife did not really want to participate. 1 0.7

It was very easy. 5 3.3

It was very easy. No problems 1 0.7

It was very efficient. I don't think you could do anything else. 1 0.7

It was very simple 1 0.7

It wasn't bad. I didn't find it difficult. The sheet of paper (In the diary) was too big, 

if you're just putting a little information. (She suggested making it about two pages 

where it's more like a "running tab" instead of a booklet.

1 0.7

Make the receipt wallet a little smaller. 1 0.7

Make the wallet smaller. Maybe have it attach to wallet (actual wallet) some way, 

like a keychain connection. 1 0.7

More than $40 1 0.7

Nice to have the storage box divided into categories and not by h/h members 1 0.7

No 6 3.9

No I do not think so 1 0.7

No it was really easy. 1 0.7

No problems-not efficient for FI to come out twice-have it online-easier. 1 0.7

No suggestions. I know or understand now I did a little extra work. I did not have to 

write everything in Diary. 1 0.7

No you could not 1 0.7

No. Can't make it any easier. 1 0.7

Not really. It was easy. 1 0.7

Nothing 6 3.9

Nothing it worked. 1 0.7

Nothing, it was easy 1 0.7

Nothing. 2 1.3
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 204

Nothing. I was very easy. 1 0.7

Nothing. It was easy 1 0.7

oh gosh it was pretty easy 1 0.7

ok 1 0.7

Ok 1 0.7

ok as is 1 0.7

Ok with process. Due to heat-daughter didn't buy as much-& the family stayed in, 

son is frugal and rarely buys anything 1 0.7

Perfect the way it is 1 0.7

Plastic wallet fine 1 0.7

Pretty easy 1 0.7

provide more details as far as items needed- 1 0.7

Put items bought it diary page. Clarify about prepaid gift cards. Add more examples 

to bullet points on show cards. 1 0.7

put time on the bode (?)/receipt box-for the household each persion with a seal 

(picture drawn of what looks like dresser drawers with numbers for each R) 1 0.7

R found that our current process is good 1 0.7

Recall sheet-excellent source (Show card) 1 0.7

So easy 1 0.7

The receipt wallet was quite handy 1 0.7

There is not much you all could have done. 1 0.7

There isn't much to do. Everything was easy. 1 0.7

This method was good. 1 0.7

This was great. I'm going to use that wallet. 1 0.7

To not use paper - to be able to go online & do it. X in terms of the diary, you 

mean? Yes. 1 0.7

very easy 1 0.7

Very easy. Very simple. 1 0.7

Very simple. 1 0.7

Wallet was the best 1 0.7

Well, I thought it was done in a easy way, a very good way. 1 0.7

Well, it was easy with what you provided. I don't think you need to provide 

anything more.

1 0.7

Well, this is just fine. Or, use some kind of camera - inexpensive, small, - to 

photograph possible items, purchases that I made that could be dated when, 

where.

1 0.7

Y'all did good. I actually like the way you had it organized with the pouch, the 

folders, the booklets. 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 205

Table K109. QUESTION 21: Did you ask 

other HH members for records?

N %

No 8 5.3%

Yes 85 56.7%

No other HH members 57 38.0%

Total 150 100.0%

Note: 2 cases were missing.

Table K110. QUESTION 21A [IF NO}, Why not?

N %

Husband did not participate 1 0.7

I don't have extra time, because of summer school and work, when I'm at home it's 

to sleep or do homework. 1 0.7

I wanted to do it myself 1 0.7

It is diffiuclt to have husband gather info, she was unaware of this part when FI first 

visited. 1 0.7

Not comfortable with this. 1 0.7

R's mom is only other member of household and she is homebound and unable to 

do any spending or shopping. 1 0.7

Signed up herself only 1 0.7

Very difficult-he does't keep or save receipts 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 144 cases. 

Table K111. QUESTION 22: How comfortable were other HH members?

N %

Very uncomfortable 6 7.1%

Somewhat uncomfortable 7 8.2%

Somewhat comfortable 22 25.9%

Very comfortable 50 58.8%

Total 85 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 62 cases. Missing data = 5 cases.

Table K112. QUESTION 23: Effort YOU put into getting other HH members 

to collect records

N %

No effort at all 19 21.8%

A little effort 17 19.5%

Some effort 21 24.1%

A great deal of effort 30 34.5%

Total 87 99.9%

Note: Not applicable = 62 cases. Missing data = 3 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 206

Table K113. QUESTION 24: Effort OTHER HH MEMBERS put into 

collecting records.

N %

Effort differed 1 1.1%

No effort at all 17 19.5%

A little effort 21 24.1%

Some effort 23 26.4%

A great deal of effort 25 28.7%

Total 87 99.8%

Note: Not applicable = 62 cases. Missing data = 3 cases.

Table K114. QUESTION 24: Effort differed by HH member: Explain

N %

one son did 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 151 cases.

Table K115. QUESTION 25: Amount of records from each HH member.

N %

Differed by HH member 2 2.3%

None 10 11.5%

A few 8 9.2%

Some 11 12.6%

Most 19 21.8%

All or almost all 37 42.5%

Total 87 99.9%

Note: Not applicable = 62 cases. Missing data = 3 cases.

Table K116. QUESTION 25: Amount of records: Differed by HH member: Explain

N %

Majority came from grandma 1 0.7

shared utilities 1 0.7

Son is disabled. He rarely makes purchases but got 2 diary entries from him. 

Roommate is away for the month so nothing from her. 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 149 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 207

Table K117. QUESTION 26: Were there records you were not comfortable 

sharing?

N %

No 119 80.4%

Yes 29 19.6%

Total 148 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 4 cases. 

Table K118. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: BANK 

STATEMENTS?

N %

No 6 20.7%

Yes 23 79.3%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 cases. 

Table K119. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: CREDIT 

CARD STATEMENTS?

N %

No 14 48.3%

Yes 15 51.7%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 cases. 

Table K120. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: CHECK 

REGISTER?

N %

No 23 79.3%

Yes 6 20.7%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 cases. 

Table K121. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: OTHER

N %

No 22 75.9%

Yes 7 24.1%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 cases. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 208

Table K122. QUESTION 26a: Types of records not comfortable sharing: OTHER: Specify

N %

ATM withdrawls 1 0.7

Automatic deductions from bank 1 0.7

electronic payment for the school loan-bank receipt. 1 0.7

Mortgage Payments but they were not due in the two weeks. But I would not 

have shared that with you. 1 0.7

Online payments 1 0.7

utility bills 1 0.7

with the check x_currency exchange 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 145 cases. 

Table K123. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable:

CONFIDENTIALITY CONCERNS?

N %

No 11 37.9%

Yes 18 62.1%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 

cases. 

Table K 124. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: 

TOO PERSONAL

N %

No 21 72.4%

Yes 8 27.6%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 

cases. 

Table K125. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: 

TOO MUCH?

N %

No 12 41.4%

Yes 17 58.6%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 

cases. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 209

Table K126. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: 

OTHER

N %

No 25 86.2%

Yes 4 13.8%

Total 29 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 119 cases. Missing data = 4 

cases. 

Table K127. QUESTION 26b: Why not comfortable: OTHER: Specify

N %

Although I readout the options, she indicated something else and kept saying I don't 

use my savings account for transactions, I don't have a checking account 1 0.7

for grandfather and father of R 1 0.7

r.e. 1 0.7

We are a little old fashioned. 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 148 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 210 

Table K128. QUESTION 27: Anything else you would like to share about the study?

N %

"No, it was easy" "I told my friend about it because they kept asking why I was saving 

receipts. 1 0.7

Bank statements & credit cards especially with people stealing data - viruses. Afraid 

getting data stolen 1 0.7

Besides the c.c. statement, that was it X_my mother said that we are two different 

households although we may function as one. May need greater distinction. Also, 

the issue of it (cc statement) would be duplicates-got the receipt and then it was on 

the st

1 0.7

BLANK 22 14.5

Doesn't think it’s a functional or effective way to collect data-FI coming out twice. 1 0.7

Enjoyed the study, like to see what I was purchasing. 1 0.7

Forgetting in beginning 1 0.7

Good collects receipts anyway 1 0.7

Good study but brother went to hospital, step sister became ill, a lot of difficult life 

things happened - easy process.

1 0.7

H helped us to be very organized 1 0.7

Helped know how much spent in last 2 weeks 1 0.7

Helpful to pay more attention to my spending & remind me to keep good records. 1 0.7

HH not difficult but not interested. 1 0.7

I am just wondering if this study help the HH or the government. What the 

advantage for me. I don't want to be charged more tax because I spend more. 1 0.7

I enjoyed doing it especially the incentive. 1 0.7

I enjoyed doing this and the bonus was the pay. 1 0.7

I learned a lot about where my mom's money goes. I didn't realize she kept her 

receipts. It also helped her manage her receipts. 1 0.7

I like it because it was a teaching experience. It was helpful and fun. 1 0.7

I liked it. Helped me see how much I spend. 1 0.7

I liked the program. I wish I could do it again. It made me more conscientious about 

not going over. I had participated in a similar study years ago. 1 0.7

I really enjoyed doing the study. 1 0.7

I referred a friend to the study, do I get a referral fee? 1 0.7

I thought it went pretty well. 1 0.7

I usually have more receipts but my daughter and son-in-law have been gone for 

almost two weeks, so the spending in HH don’t reflect our true spending. 1 0.7

I would just like to say it was fun, the idea, and it was kinda easy. 1 0.7

I would like to do this again. 1 0.7

If it was a longer period, then more of my bills would have been due, such as the 

utility bill. A month would have been better length of time to collect receipts to me. 1 0.7

If you're going to have families to collect to pay more $, it is extra work. Singletons 

and families earn the amount of incentive. 1 0.7

Interesting to see what's spent in short period of time. Made R more grateful to 

know she can spend. 1 0.7

Interviewer was very professional. 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 211

It's a good thing to help 1 0.7

It helped me save better - we saved better in this 2 week period than @ any other 

time. 1 0.7

It made me aware of how much I was spending. 1 0.7

It makes me aware about purchases. 1 0.7

It showed me we spend money on a lot of unnecessary stuff/ 1 0.7

It was a nice experience. 1 0.7

It was an unusual 2 weeks - it's not our normal spending amount. 1 0.7

It was cool. 1 0.7

It was easy. 1 0.7

It was easy. It was easy for me because I do it all the time. 1 0.7

It was easy. Surprised at the amount of receipts I was savings from my trip to San 

Fran. 1 0.7

It was fine. It was easy. I enjoyed doing it. 1 0.7

It was fun-it was easy. 1 0.7

It was good taking part in the survey. 1 0.7

It was good to start keeping receipts. 1 0.7

It was very interesting. 1 0.7

It was very pleasant. It made me realize how much $ I spend. I come home and put 

the receipts in their envelopes and I was kind of shocked. 1 0.7

Just forgetting to collect or accidentally throwing them out 1 0.7

Learned that she can keep better records if will do it $40 encouraging and want to 

get specific fuad (illegible) for yourself. 1 0.7

Made me think about what I spent-help keep balance on spending 1 0.7

made more conscience of how much spending every day. 1 0.7

My identity was stolen, so it makes me really uncomfortable. 1 0.7

no 1 0.7

No 27 17.8

No comment. Easy since we come in person face to face. 1 0.7

No It was fine. Very easy. 1 0.7

no not really 1 0.7

No problems, quite easy. 1 0.7

No thanks 1 0.7

No, besides it was new for me, different. I will contiue to keep records of money I 

spent over the years. 1 0.7

No, I was a great experience. 1 0.7

No, it was allright 1 0.7

No, it was easy. 1 0.7

No, it was fine. 1 0.7

No, it was fun. I can see it as a beneficial & necessary study. 1 0.7

No, it was very easy 2 1.3

No, not at all. It was easy, it wasn't time consuming or anything. 1 0.7

No, study was straightforward 1 0.7

No. 5 3.3
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 212

No. But do have a question. Why two week and not whole month? For example none 

of our utilities cam due in this two week period. And the rest is due on the 1st so 

they were not included. This is not a true picture of our HH bills.

1 0.7

No. But you can call me again. They always call my daughter for studies. 1 0.7

No. I enjoyed doing it. I've decided I'm going to pay more attention to my spending. 

I've already found an app. 1 0.7

No. I would do it again. And if you need me call me. 1 0.7

No. It was all good except for asking others to help. 1 0.7

No. It was easy. 1 0.7

No. It was something I dod. I keep up with stuff. 1 0.7

No. It was too easy. 1 0.7

Not really. 1 0.7

Not that I can think of. 1 0.7

Nothing 4 2.6

Nothing Really 1 0.7

Nothing. 2 1.3

Only that in this economy and as a fixed income person, I spend less than 1/2 of 

what I used to spend, Also- lottery tickets NOT INCLUDED - average $25/week. 1 0.7

Pretty easy, fun keeping track of receipts. 1 0.7

Really enjoyed doing this project-but thought it was a project where the receipts 

were saved by date, not by person 1 0.7

Simple. 1 0.7

The booklet/diary was especially easy to use - it was very clear 1 0.7

The facilitator made it easy to me w/him. 1 0.7

The hardest part was remembering. 1 0.7

There were some thing I think the wasn't a clarity as to what to record: tips, etc. Not 

a definitive way to itemize. He was some unvertainty. I wasn't sure of certain 

situations, expenditures

1 0.7

They got the benefit of me spending money 1 0.7

Thought it was easy. To get clearer picture, 30 day period makes more sense. 1 0.7

Very straightforward study. Helpful-made me more conscious of my purchases. 1 0.7

Well, I did record my rent in the diary, but I kept my receipt just in case something 

comes up.

1 0.7

Wonderful experience and see how much I spent 1 0.7

Yes-it was quite interesting. I don't usually save receipts-I was surprised at the 

amount of spending I was doing. I don't realize how much I spent in a two week 

(period).

1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 213

FIELD INTERVIEWER DEBRIEFING

Table K129. FI QUESTION 1: Respondent Understanding

N %

Poor 1 0.7%

Fair 11 7.3%

Good 35 23.3%

Very good 103 68.7%

Total 150 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 2 cases.

Table K130. FI QUESTION 2: Respondent Effort

N %

No effort at all'/ 7 4.8%

A little effort 19 12.9%

A fair amount of effort 36 24.5%

A great deal of effort 85 57.8%

Total 147 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 5 cases.

Table K131. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing STORE 

RECEIPTS?

N %

Very uncomfortable 1 0.7%

Somewhat uncomfortable 1 0.7%

Somewhat comfortable 4 2.7%

Very comfortable 144 96.0%

Total 150 100.1%

Note: Missing data = 2 cases. 

Table K132. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing BANK 

STATEMENTS?

N %

Very uncomfortable 22 16.2%

Somewhat uncomfortable 7 5.1%

Somewhat comfortable 4 2.9%

Very comfortable 103 75.7%

Total 136 99.9%

Note: Not applicable = 14 cases. Missing data = 2 cases. 
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 214

Table K133. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing CREDIT CARD 

STATEMENTS?

N %

Very uncomfortable 22 16.3%

Somewhat uncomfortable 6 4.4%

Somewhat comfortable 4 3.0%

Very comfortable 103 76.3%

Total 135 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 15 cases. Missing data = 2 cases.

Table K134. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing CHECK 

REGISTER?

N %

Very uncomfortable 16 12.2%

Somewhat uncomfortable 9 6.9%

Somewhat comfortable 3 2.3%

Very comfortable 103 78.6%

Total 131 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 19 cases. Missing data = 2 cases. 

Table K135. FI QUESTION 3: How comfortable did R feel about sharing BILLS?

N %

Very uncomfortable 8 5.4%

Somewhat uncomfortable 5 3.4%

Somewhat comfortable 5 3.4%

Very comfortable 129 87.8%

Total 147 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 3 cases. Missing data = 2 cases. 

Table K136. FI QUESTION 4: Respondent Organization

N %

Not at all organized 7 4.7%

Slightly organized 13 8.7%

Somewhat organized 26 17.4%

Very organized 103 69.1%

Total 149 99.9%

Note: Missing data = 3 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 215

Table K137. FI QUESTION 4A: Were records filed by household member?

N %

Filed 50 53.8%

Not filed 43 46.2%

Total 93 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 57 cases. Missing data = 2 cases.

Table K138. FI QUESTION 4B: Were each household members records in box?

N %

In box 87 82.9%

Had to ask 18 17.1%

Total 105 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 47 cases.

Table K139. FI QUESTION 4C: Were papers stuffed in, wrinkled, or stacked neatly?

N %

Stuffed/wrinkled 41 28.5%

Stacked neatly 103 71.5%

Total 144 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 8 cases.

Table K140. FI QUESTION 5: Respondent Interest in Study

N %

Not at all 6 4.0%

Slightly 18 12.0%

Somewhat 38 25.3%

Very 88 58.7%

Total 150 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 2 cases.

Table K141. FI QUESTION 6: Were there any electronic records that you needed to 

download or print?

N %

No 147 98.0%

Yes 3 2.0%

Total 150 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 2 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 216

Table K142. FI QUESTION 7: Any technical difficulties with electronic records?

N %

No 3 100.0%

Yes 0 0.0%

Total 3 100.0%

Note: Not applicable = 147 cases. Missing data = 2 cases. 

Table K143. FI QUESTION 8: Any technical difficulties scanning paper documents?

N %

No 137 92.6%

Yes 11 7.4%

Total 148 100.0%

Note: Not applicable (no paper records) = 2 cases. Missing data = 2 cases. 

Table K144. FI QUESTION 8: [IF YES] Please explain

N %

I left the pages in the PDF for BLS review. If a receipt is torn or wrinkled it is not 

scannable. 1 0.7

Just the FI made an error in scanning the wrong side-redid the scanning 1 0.7

Just took a while-balled up, really torn up 1 0.7

No room, public space and R hyper 1 0.7

One of them was a little stubborn, had to use both hands to guide it. 1 0.7

One receipt that just would not go through - from walgreens 1 0.7

Receipts gathering in the machine 1 0.7

Some receipts especially with purple ink come out as blank copies when scannedattached these to diary. 1 0.7

The receipts would jam in the scanner. 1 0.7

The receipts would wrinkle in the machine 1 0.7

Very wrinkled receipts had to straighten them out in a book first 1 0.7

Note: Not applicable = 141 cases. 

Table K145. FI QUESTION 9: Any other technical issues?

N %

No 148 100.0%

Yes 0 0.0%

Total 148 100.0%

Note: Missing data = 4 cases.
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 217

Table K146. FI QUESTION 10: Other comments

N %

[NAME], the R, has no job and does not spend much money. I understood late that I 

needed to ask her sister to participate 1 0.7

1) Unclear if she lived alone. 2) Did not share rent payment into - said since it was not 

on list and she didn't want to include it. 3) Very suspicious nature. 1 0.7

2 diaries are blank. Two have R's name-I just assume that she just did not notice. 

Refused at first to participate; we explained that if she could not get compliance from 

other HH membrs, then so be it. It came out in questions that the other relatives ar

1 0.7

All records were kept in the same receipt wallet. HH members did not use the diary. 1 0.7

Although R's phone was not working from the day after visit 1 to a day or two before 

visit 2, R indicated she had been working on collecting receipts, without my reminder 

call-$40 was a good incentive. R indicated that NORC/800 number explanation is that

1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 218

At first, she didn't have anything in the diary. Then while I was there, she thought of 

bus tickets. Started to write that in diary, then noted that tix were bought for her. So 

I said it didn't count.

1 0.7

At initial interview, R refused the extra diary for her spouse; cited that their spending 

was largely done as a couple, as a unit. However, she did collect his receipts, and I 

had not provided a wallet for this so the receipts have been scanned in as if f

1 0.7

BLANK 43 28.3

can't think of anything. 1 0.7

For the same respondents-duplicating the receipts in the diary was done. On the 

show card-remind Rs not too duplicate and use only for no receipt purchases. 1 0.7

General List: Another respondent who used the diary as a record of receipts. The 

women in the study seem to want to use the diary just to record receipts, the men 

mainly heard the instructions correctly.

1 0.7

He did not expect his wife to participate and she pretty much did not at all. 1 0.7

He had a lot of long receipts so they were folded and wallet bulky with wrinkled 

receipts. 1 0.7

He was very organized, this was conducted in the common room on 1st floor of 

building. A few people stopped to say hello and asked about study. 1 0.7

Husband refused to participate 1 0.7

I asked her a few days late to keep records for male in household. 1 0.7

I think he felt since he kept the written diary didn't need paper receipts. He also 

didn't feel the need to keep household records because his view is that it's his money 

so he's keep track of it. I also think he was using this as an opportunity to gain b

1 0.7

I think it was not clear to her (during the two weeks) that she would get to keep her 

receipts, so with regard to the rent, she really could have simply gave the receipt and 

let us scan it. Unless, she felt it was private?

1 0.7

If receipts are dark-they do not scan. Additional pages of diary were needed. 1 0.7

Impatient at the scanning process. Items missing from online were put into diarydownloading the receipts seemed to be aburden for R. R felt the project was 

"wasting money" by having FI come out twice-she felt she could have done this by 

herself online.

1 0.7

IW1 - Mom needed convincing-she wanted to know who NORC is, the aim of the 

project-it didn't help that the son was very rude to her. IW2 - I think the mom makes 

most of purchases but may not have wanted to diarize or provide receipts as son was 

very rude

1 0.7

Nice R! Scanning down in building lobby on laps. 1 0.7

No 4 2.6

No interest in keeping with the diary 1 0.7

No others present in household 1 0.7

No parental participation-R would ask them for a verbal amount and put their 

purchases in the diary, scanned at home. 1 0.7

No problems. 1 0.7

No. 1 0.7

None 1 0.7

None. 2 1.3

Nothing remarkable. Didn't have diary, was unsure if he was to use it. 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 219

Nothing to note. 1 0.7

Nothing unusual except that husband made only one purchase. No receipts from him. 1 0.7

Only respondent kept up w/diary. Respondents' family kept receipts but R took care 

of keeping them separate. Family didn't purchase much this is a heat wave period 

and many people are not going out.

1 0.7

Possible low-level disabled. The 2 hrs she said it took has to be an exaggeration. Very 

few receipts. 1 0.7

R's brother did not really participate. This was as R expected. 1 0.7

R's partner is the one who does the shopping. R is in a wheelchair & spends a little 

but not much. R's expenditures are in diary. 1 0.7

R answered questions over phone when appointment was confirmed because she 

was leaving town. R left her receipts with her daughter. 1 0.7

R appeared to need more prompting (LD possibly) than the average R might need, 

but very grateful & conscientious. 1 0.7

R cancelled the second visit 8x but called and finally was able to "fit me in." 1 0.7

R did not get one diary from one HH maybe because she said she was not home. She 

felt her family members did not save their records ("said they were too lazy") R felt 

easier to keep receipts in folder - doesn't know where plastic wallets are.

1 0.7

R did not put much effort into project. He said he was busy or forgot. All HH 

members receipts were in same wallet. 1 0.7

R didn't realize no need to record in diary if had receipts. 1 0.7

R didn't use diary, didn't separate receipts by HH members - didn't really care - just 

wanted to get paid & leave 1 0.7

R emphasized that family was uncomfortable giving out the financial statements -

they were more comfortable writing down credit card bills due in diary. R was also 

more comfortable saying Mom, Dad, Brother, and not giving out their names. R put 

all receip

1 0.7

R ended up writing in diary because she wanted to keep one of the receipts - she 

gave me her receipts to go with because she needed to go somewhere else and 

couldn't wait while I scanned. The time noted was derived from the time it took to 

scan at home an

1 0.7

R enjoyed doing study. Thought it was easy and wanted to refer sons, friends to 

participate. 1 0.7

R had asked for more diaries but only ended up needing one. 1 0.7

R happy to complete survey 1 0.7

R kept records for another senior she cares for but that person does not live with her. 1 0.7

R lived in a hotel. R said his utilities are covered by the rent. He do not shop much 

and get most of his food from the food pantry. 1 0.7

R only had a couple records. She did not seem interested in study only in the token of 

appreciation. 1 0.7

R only had a few wrinkled receipts. She said she could not get HH members to help 

her and she would forget to save receipts. R returned box, file, & wallet for each HH 

member.

1 0.7

R recorded all purchases in diary and collected receipts. She said she forgot that if 

she had a receipt she did not need to record it in the diary. 1 0.7

R said he and his mom put a great deal of effort in keeping records for the study. 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 220

R said she had a lot going on. Out of town guest and kids leaving for college. So she 

did not always remember to get a record but got most of them and wrote what she 

did not have it diary.

1 0.7

R said she had no time to ask, members of h/h to participate due to summer school 

and work. Met I downtown Naperville at Starbucks-more convenient for R-she was 

very reluctant to do this at home.

1 0.7

R said she kept receipts in her own wallet then transferred them to plastic wallet 

when she got home. 1 0.7

R says "he do studies all the time. He really enjoy it." 1 0.7

R seemed friendly. She talked abut the study. Asked que about U of C BLS and how 

often this is done. Left her FAQ. 1 0.7

R seemed to be in it for the money - he wasn't really interested (he's 19) - he also lost 

the diary. He claims that he doesn't buy anything but asks his parents or sisters. 1 0.7

R uncomfortable sharing bank deductions and honest about not being in the habit of 

saving receipts and did it when remembered to 1 0.7

R very interested in helping BLS with detailed feedback. 1 0.7

R was a nice young girl with a little son. She and her son live on second floor of a 

family building. 1 0.7

R was concerned that we might call other household members since receipts have 

contact details-had to assure R this was the only contact we would have. R and I met 

at McDonalds both visits-R lives with parents and felt that my going there would be 

an intr

1 0.7

R was in the hospital for 6 days, so she spent a lot less. Also, though we listed her 

son, he made no purchases and had no receipts. 1 0.7

R was in this for the money as far as I could sense - did not think she was being 

truthful - All receipts were put in one pile 1 0.7

R was nice. Very talkative. Want to do other studies. R think she should have been 

given a bigger incentive, and an incentive for HH members. 1 0.7

R was open. She explained that she is very afraid of Identity theft. 1 0.7

R was pretty conscientious 1 0.7

R was started early due to having to back on campus - final two days of period were 

when he was back on job corps campus (so he didn't get family's receipts those days) 1 0.7

R was very interested in study but his wife was not. He was very nice but was caring 

for his kids and was very distracted. His wife agreed to help with study a little. 1 0.7

R was very nice and interested in study - I repeated at 1st visit it is not necessary to 

record in diary if you have a receipt. R kept receipts recorded in diary. 1 0.7

R was very nice and thought the study was interesting. 1 0.7

R was very nice bbut I think only interested in R but did a good job of collecting. 1 0.7

R was very organized. He put a dreat deal of effort into his collection and was upset 

his roommate would not participate. 1 0.7

R wrote online purchases in diary. She did not have credit card statements or bank 

statements

1 0.7

Receipts hard to scan in a public setting. 1 0.7

Receipts put into one pile 1 0.7

Receipts were a litle stuffed and wrinkled but mostly neat 1 0.7
RECORDS INFORMATION AND FEASIBILITY OF USE FINAL REPORT: APPENDIX K | 221

Receipts were wrinkled. R only had a few records. He said that he paid their bills 

before the study started. 1 0.7

Rescheduled. Moved location, R forgot records - took lots of time 1 0.7

Respondents are "boxed in" by the list, which they don't necessarily see as an 

"example list". 1 0.7

Scanning was done at McDonalds restaurant. 1 0.7

She did not have cooperation of family members to collect their records but tried. 1 0.7

She did not make any entries in the diary & she would not provide any bank 

statements

1 0.7

She didn't separate the receipts. There was only one receipt wallet. 1 0.7

She has other roommates but would only keep her records 1 0.7

She said she carried her plastic envelope around for 2 weeks 1 0.7

She started to include info about her comed bill in the diary but then got hung up on 

the word purchase and she reasoned that a purchase was distinct from a bill & 

crossed it out. Also, mother does not spend money. Also-her diary was blank and I 

did forge

1 0.7

The only unusual thing is that many people spoke to this R-she was given to me after 

1st interview, so 1st part of book is blank 1 0.7

The question of the diary is a mystery. She made flea market purchases totaling 

about $35 from Sunday july 29 1 0.7

The R's fiance was very organized and had all records. 1 0.7

The respondent was recruited on the street-he gave the documentation portion to 

his partner-who didn't know to separate receipts. They were given 1 wallet and 1 

diary so they didn't separate their collection.

1 0.7

This R only collected store receipts. He did not get parent and grandparent household 

expenses and not sure if he is even aware of housing expenses. 1 0.7

Three people listed - no receipts for [NAME] (doesn't work, has no $) 1 0.7

Total Sham - there should be a protocol for refusing/declining a R who does not hold 

up their part of their bargain. When I got there, I stood for almost 20 min while R & 

mother looked for R - despite the fact that we had talked 2x, 30 mins before I got t

1 0.7

Used diary as a duplicate recording system. Unclear about the diary. 1 0.7

Very conscientious 1 0.7

Very small area to scan - observation 1 0.7

Was very nice & hospitable. Her records were on coffee table waiting for me. She 

called and said she was running late but would be there. 1 0.7

Where to start-she does not, it turns out, really live with household members. Would 

not provide more into. Older family members (mother), hostile toward me. R 

engaged in illegal activities, in my presence. Despite this, R did track the spending she 

engag

1 0.7

While wrapping up 1st visit-R complained about the R fee-she said it was/is too little 1 0.7

Young R who did not seem to care about study. Very reticent, did not engage 1 0.7