Working Paper: NBER ID: w17974
Authors: Michael D. Hurd; Susann Rohwedder
Abstract: Beginning in May 2009 we fielded a monthly Internet survey designed to measure total household spending as the aggregate of about 40 spending components. This paper reports on a number of outcomes from 30 waves of data collection. These outcomes include sample attrition, indicators of data quality such as item nonresponse and the variance in total spending, and substantive results such as the trajectory of total spending and the trajectories of some components of spending. We conclude that high-frequency surveying for total spending is feasible and that the resulting data show expected patterns of levels and change.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: C81; C83; D12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| economic shocks (F69) | household spending reduction (D12) |
| data quality (L15) | understanding effects of economic shocks (E32) |
| high-frequency surveying (C83) | accuracy of spending data (C82) |
| economic downturn (F44) | household consumption behavior (D10) |