Diary Information Booklet

Consumer
Expenditure
Surveys
Diary Survey

Information Booklet

U S C E N S U S B U R E A U
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

CE-805
(1-1-2009)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
2
2
2
3
4
5-7

8-9
10
11
12
13

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Hispanic Origin
Race
Asian Origin
Education
Occupations
Income
CARD A
CARD B
CARD C
Diary Survey Checks
2009 Calendar
2010 Calendar
2011 Calendar
Privacy Act Statement

Page 1

Hispanic Origin
1 – Mexican
2 – Mexican-American
3 – Chicano
4 – Puerto Rican
5 – Cuban
6 – Cuban-American
7 – Central or South American
8 – Other

Race
(Please choose one or more)
1 – White
2 – Black or African American
3 – American Indian or Alaskan Native
4 – Asian
5 – Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Asian Origin
1 – Chinese
2 – Filipino
3 – Japanese
4 – Korean
5 – Vietnamese
6 – Asian Indian
7 – Other group not listed

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 2

Education
0 – Never attended, preschool, kindergarten
1 - 11 – 1st grade through 11th grade
38 – 12th grade, no diploma
39 – High school graduate – high school diploma,
or the equivalent (For example: GED)
40 – Some college but no degree
41 – Associate degree in college – Occupational/
Vocational
42 – Associate degree in college – Academic program
43 – Bachelor’s degree (For example: BA, AB, BS)
44 – Master’s degree (For example: MA, MS, MEng,
MEd, MSW, MBA)
45 – Professional School Degree (For example: MD,
DDS, DVM, LLB, JD)
46 – Doctorate degree (For example: PhD, EdD)

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 3

OCCUPATIONS
01 – Administrator, Manager
administrator

manager

funeral director

02 – Teacher
teacher

guidance counselor

03 – Professional
registered nurse
lawyer

accountant
engineer

physician
clergy

social worker
computer programmer

computer systems
analyst

04 – Administrative Support, including Clerical
secretary
receptionist

bookkeeper
computer assistant

clerk
typist

05 – Sales, Retail
cashier
apparel salesperson

commodity salesperson
motor vehicle salesperson

door to door salesperson

06 – Sales, Business Goods and Services
mining sales representative
financial services
manufacturing sales representative

real estate salesperson
wholesale sales representative
insurance salesperson

07 – Technician
health technician
electronic technician

practical nurse

drafting

police officer

firefighter

clinical laboratory technician

08 – Protective Service
private guard

09 – Private Household Service
nanny

household worker

10 – Other Service (except private household)
janitor
child care worker

cook
hairstylist

waiter/waitress
maid/houseman

food preparer
orderly

food counter/fountain
worker

11 – Machine Operator, Assembler, Inspector
machine operator

assembler

inspector

12 – Transportation Operator
truck driver

bus driver

tractor operator

taxi driver

13 – Handler, Helper, Laborer
stock handler

freight handler

material handler

packager

construction laborer

machinist

meat cutter

sheet metal worker

painter

plumber

mining worker

groundskeeper

animal caretaker

14 – Mechanic or Repairer, Precision Production
automobile mechanic

machine repairer

15 – Construction, Mining
carpenter

electrician

16 – Farming
farmer

farm worker

17 – Forestry, Fishing, Groundskeeping
forestry worker

fisher

18 – Armed Forces
armed forces
CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 4

INCOME - CARD A

0. Loss
1. $ 0

– $ 4,999

2. $ 5,000

– $ 9,999

3. $ 10,000 – $ 14,999
4. $ 15,000 – $ 19,999
5. $ 20,000 – $ 29,999
6. $ 30,000 – $ 39,999
7. $ 40,000 – $ 49,999
8. $ 50,000 – $ 69,999
9. $ 70,000 – $ 89,999
10. $ 90,000 – $ 119,999
11. $ 120,000 and over

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 5

INCOME - CARD B

0. Less than $300
1. $ 300

– $ 399

2. $ 400

– $ 499

3. $ 500

– $ 599

4. $ 600

– $ 699

5. $ 700

– $ 799

6. $ 800

– $ 899

7. $ 900

– $ 999

8. $ 1,000 – $ 1,499
9. $ 1,500 and over

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 6

INCOME - CARD C

0. Loss
1. $ 0

– $ 999

2. $ 1,000

– $ 1,999

3. $ 2,000

– $ 2,999

4. $ 3,000

– $ 3,999

5. $ 4,000

– $ 4,999

6. $ 5,000

– $ 9,999

7. $ 10,000 – $ 14,999
8. $ 15,000 – $ 19,999
9. $ 20,000 – $ 29,999
10. $ 30,000 – $ 39,999
11. $ 40,000 – $ 49,999
12. $ 50,000 and over

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 7

DIARY SURVEY CHECKS

When reviewing the Diary, check each page in the form. Be sure that ALL entries have
as much detail as possible. The following are EXAMPLES of information that is often
omitted.

I. CONTENT CHECKS
1. All entries should be clearly readable. If there is an entry which is not, rewrite
it. Entries that contain brand names, local names or acronyms should be
clarified and rewritten.
2. If the respondent reports no expenditures for a day, mark the NONE box at
the bottom of the page.
3. Be sure there is an amount entered in the total cost column for every item
entry in the diary and that the amount entered is reasonable. If an amount is
unusually high or low, confirm it with the respondent. Whenever possible, a
single cost for each item is required. Investigate any combined expense to
determine if individual costs can be identified.
4. In Part 1, Food and Drinks Away from Home, be sure that all the checkboxes
are appropriately marked. If an alcohol check box is marked, indicating that
alcoholic beverages were purchased, there should also be an amount entered
in the last column. There should always be an amount entered in the total
cost column.
5. In Part 2, Food and Drinks for Home Consumption, be sure a checkbox
indicating whether the food is fresh, frozen, etc. is marked.
6. In Part 3, Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry, and Accessories, be sure the checkboxes
for gender and age are marked.
7. In Part 4, All Other Products, Services, and Expenses, be sure there is an
entry in the last column to indicate if the item was purchased for someone not
on your list.

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 8

DIARY SURVEY CHECKS (continued)
II. EXPENDITURE DETAIL CHECKS
FOOD AND DRINKS AWAY FROM HOME
MEALS - Check the type of meal (lunch, breakfast, dinner, snack/other) and the type of vendor.
If alcohol is included, make sure the type is specified in the checkboxes and the cost is recorded.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - If the purchase is exclusively alcohol, make sure the type is specified
and that the total cost and the alcohol cost are the same. Both cost entries must be recorded.

FOOD AND DRINKS FOR HOME CONSUMPTION
BREAD - Specify if white, whole wheat, rye, pumpernickel, etc.
BAKERY PRODUCTS - Specify type such as cupcakes, apple pie, etc.
BEEF - Specify the cut of beef and describe, such as ground beef, prime rib, etc.
PORK - Specify the cut and describe, such as pork loin roast, whole ham, etc.
POULTRY - Specify whether it is chicken, turkey, or other
CHICKEN - Specify if whole or parts, such as chicken legs, chicken wings, etc.
JUICE, BEVERAGE - Specify type such as orange juice, fruit punch, etc.
SOFT DRINKS - Specify if cola or other type; if not cola, specify if carbonated or noncarbonated
COFFEE - Specify if instant or ground
OTHER FOOD - Give a complete description, such as boxed scalloped potatoes

CLOTHING, SHOES, JEWELRY, AND ACCESSORIES
CLOTHING - Specify the type of clothing and give a description of the item
SHOES - If sport shoes, specify sport such as football cleats, ice skates, etc.
JEWELRY - Specify the type of jewelry, such as watches, etc.

ALL OTHER PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND EXPENSES
MEDICINE - Specify if prescription or nonprescription
DOCTOR BILLS - Specify type of doctor, such as dentist, internist, etc.
SOAP - Specify hand soap or laundry soap
LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANING - Specify if coin operated or not coin operated; specify whether
household item (such as drapes) or apparel
TABLEWARE - Specify type, such as china, flatware, silver service pieces, etc.
DISHWASHER - Specify whether it is portable or built-in
FURNITURE - Specify type such as kitchen chair, living room chair, etc.
TOOLS - Specify if power or hand tool, such as power saw, etc.
ALBUM - Specify if photo album or record album
GAS - Specify if gasoline or household fuel. If household fuel, indicate whether piped or bottled
VEHICLE - Specify new or used and type of vehicle purchased
VEHICLE REGISTRATION - Specify state or local
VEHICLE REPAIR - Specify type of repair done such as brake work other than brake adjustment,
exhaust system repair
VEHICLE SERVICE - Specify the type of service such as an oil change, brake adjustment, etc.
BUS, TRAIN - Specify intercity of intracity fare
TUITION - Specify high school, college, etc.
BOOKS - Specify whether it was a part of a book club, a school book, or a non-school book. If the
purchase was for school, then specify whether it was college, high school, or other.

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 9

CALENDAR
2009
JANUARY
S

M

T

JULY

W

T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S

M

W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31

S

M

FEBRUARY

AUGUST

S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28

S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31

MARCH

SEPTEMBER

S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

S

M

S

M

T

S

M

S

M

T

W

T

F

S
5
12
19
26

OCTOBER

W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30

T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MAY
W

T

T W T F
1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 29 30

APRIL

T

W

NOVEMBER

F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

T

S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30

JUNE

DECEMBER

S

M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

T

S

T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31

Page 10

M

CALENDAR
2010
JANUARY
S

M

T

W

JULY

T

F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

S

M

T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31

W

FEBRUARY

AUGUST

M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28

S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

MARCH

SEPTEMBER

S

S

M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

S

M

5
12
19
26

W T F S
1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 29 30

S

M

APRIL
S

M

T

S

M

T

S

M

W

F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

MAY
W

T

OCTOBER

T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30

T

W

T

NOVEMBER

S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31

T

F

S

M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30

JUNE

DECEMBER

T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

T

S

W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 11

M

T

CALENDAR
2011
JANUARY
S

M

S

M

T

W

T

JULY
F

S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31

S

M

F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

FEBRUARY

W

T

AUGUST

T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28

M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

MARCH

SEPTEMBER

S

S

T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31

M

S

M

4
11
18
25

T F S
1 2 3
5 6 7 8 9 10
12 13 14 15 16 17
19 20 21 22 23 24
26 27 28 29 30

S

M

S

M

S

M

APRIL
S

M

T

W

T

MAY

T

W

T

F

NOVEMBER
T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30

JUNE
M

W

S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30

S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

S

T

OCTOBER

F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DECEMBER

W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

T

T

T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 12

T

W

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting the Consumer Expenditure Surveys
for the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor under
title 29, United States Code. The survey’s purpose is to obtain information
on what Americans are purchasing in order to update the Consumer Price
Index (CPI). All survey information will be used for statistical purposes only.
Any information you provide for this survey is confidential, by law, under
title 13, United States Code. Participation in this survey is voluntary and
there are no penalties for refusing to answer any question(s). However, your
cooperation is extremely important to help ensure the completeness and
accuracy of these data.

CE-805 (1-1-2009)

Page 13

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau