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Consumer Expenditure Surveys
Bureau of Labor Statistics > Consumer Expenditure Survey > Methods

Section 19 - MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

Part A - Miscellaneous Expenses

  1. FRESH FLOWERS OR POTTED PLANTS

  2. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
  3. SERVICES OF LAWYERS OR OTHER LEGAL PROFESSIONALS, including -
    will   divorce   civil litigation, including lawsuits,
bankruptcies, etc.
    bail bonds   contracts      
    arbitration services   estate settlements   criminal litigation,
including traffic citations
    mediation

      Do not include fees for business purposes or those related to closing costs for the purchase of real estate.

  1. ACCOUNTING FEES, including -
    estate management   trust management   income tax preparation

      Do not include fees for business purposes.

  1. OCCUPATIONAL EXPENSES, such as union dues or professional licenses.
  1. GARDENING OR LAWN CARE SERVICES, including -
    fertilizing   lawn cutting   hedge trimming
    tree removal   tilling   tree pruning
    planting   plowing

      Include any services provided under service contracts.
      Do not include services which are covered by management or maintenance fees.

  1. HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES, including -
    cleaning   laundering   cooking
    window washing   carpet cleaning
  1. HOME SECURITY SYSTEM SERVICE FEES
  1. OTHER HOME SERVICES OR SMALL REPAIR JOBS AROUND THE HOUSE, NOT PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
    Include diaper service.
  1. MOVING, STORAGE, OR FREIGHT, including -
        moving companies   mini-warehouses    self-storage units   cargo shipping
    Do not include expenses that are reimbursed by employer or other persons outside of the household.

  1. STAMP OR COIN COLLECTING, including -

    stamp albums   coin albums   first day covers
  1. LOTTERIES OR GAMES OF CHANCE

  1. BABYSITTING, NANNY SERVICES, OR OTHER CHILD CARE IN YOUR HOME
    Do not include nursery school care or care in a day care center.

  2. BABYSITTING, NANNY SERVICES, OR OTHER CHILD CARE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HOME
    Do not include nursery school care or care in a day care center.

  1. TOYS OR GAMES, including -

    trains   dart board   action figures   games
    infant toys   stuffed animals   dolls   trucks
  1. ARTS OR CRAFT KITS, including -
    model kits   model kits
    needlepoint kits   rug kits

  1. SEWING AND KNITTING MATERIALS FOR THE HOME, INCLUDING FABRIC FOR MAKING SLIPCOVERS, BLANKETS, QUILTS, AFGHANS, TABLECLOTHS, FLOWERS, CURTAINS, ETC., AND FOR HANDWORK INCLUDING YARN

  1. SEWING MATERIALS FOR MAKING CLOTHES, INCLUDING ANY FABRIC USED FOR MAKING CLOTHES

  1. SEWING NOTIONS, including -

    sewing basket   patterns   buttons   thread
    sewing kit   crochet hooks   measuring tapes   knitting needles, equipment
    crochet thread   scissors   zipper   embroidery hoops
    seam binding   snaps   needles/pins   embroidery thread

  1. OTHER SEWING MATERIALS, INCLUDING -

    interfacing   fiberfill   stuffing   beads, glitter, sequins
    quilt pad   foam   rug material   felt or felt squares

  1. PURCHASE OF PETS, PET SUPPLIES, OR MEDICINE FOR PETS, including -

    aquarium   tropical fish   dog house   collars
    hamster cage   pet toys   bird cage   dog
    guinea pig   cat   bird   hamster
    gerbil
            Exclude pet food.
  1. PET SERVICES, including -
    grooming   kennels   license    pet daycare   pet resorts
  1. VETERINARIAN EXPENSES FOR PETS, including -
    vet insurance    veterinary treatment

  1. FOOD AND BEVERAGES FOR CATERED AFFAIRS

    bridal showers   parties   Bar/Bat Mitzvahs   quinceañeras
  weddings   graduations   anniversaries   confirmations
  1. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FOR CATERED AFFAIRS
  1. RENTAL OF PARTY SUPPLIES FOR CATERED AFFAIRS

  1. PURCHASE OR UPKEEP OF CEMETERY LOTS OR VAULTS

  2. FUNERALS, BURIALS, OR CREMATION, including -
    burial fees   flowers for funeral   musician honoraria   limosines (used
during funeral)
    burial plans   clergy   funeral transcript
    headstones    footstones

Go back to Section 19 Part A »

 

Last Modified Date: January 3, 2019