So we should not be surprised that nobody spends more on cereal, cookies, dairy products, frozen foods or potato chips. Despite spending 21 percent more than the average household on food at home these boomers also spend 24 percent more than average on food away from home. Since many restaurants serve wine and beer, it s interesting to note that total spending on alcoholic beverages peaks in this age group. Housing costs consume about a third of most households income. And since householders age 35 to 44 have the biggest families of any age group they need more space.
More space requires more furnishings as well as more energy for light, heat and cooling.
But when you buy a big house the monthly mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance don t leave much for expensive home furnishings. For younger home owners, particularly those with children, low cost furniture is a must. So there would seem to be a substantial opportunity for a provider of used or refurbished tables, chairs, sofas and other common household items. Households in this age group, however, spend a lot for computers and Internet access for themselves and their children. The average wired household age 35 to 44 spends more each year on computer related expenses than all other home appliances combined.