The Diary

Consumer Expenditure Online Diary
User Guide
January 2025
CE-818

Log in to your Consumer Expenditure (CE) online diary by using
the link, , or scanning the QR code.
Username and Password
Logging in to the diary requires a unique and secure username and password that is assigned to each
household. For security reasons, your password is provided separately by your field representative.

Respondent Name: ___________________________________________________

Username: __________________________________________________________

Please record your expenses and puchases for the following period:

I will return or call on: ____________________

Start Date: ______________

End Date: ______________
For FR use only

Login
Username
Password
Forgot your password?
Forgot your username?

Login

Note: Access the CE Diary quickly by scanning the QR code at the top of the page. You can also review the instructions on the back of
this user guide for how to create a shortcut.

Help Tools: The online diary has a help menu that contains information on general instructions, how to fill out your
diary, diary examples, frequently asked questions, and definitions. To access the desktop version, click on the “Help” link
on the top right of the screen. In the mobile version, the “Help” link will appear after you click on “Menu”, which appears
as three bars on the top right of the screen.

Questions?
Field representative’s name: ______________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________
Help Desk: Call and leave a message at (877) 744-1522 or email us at census.ce.helpdesk@census.gov. We will respond
during normal business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday.

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What Should I Enter in the CE Diary?
Complete the CE Diary for both weeks. Enter EVERYTHING you and your household members spend money on each day
(review exceptions below)—the products you buy, the services you use, and the household expenses you have during the
week—regardless of how large or small they are. Do NOT use abbreviations for any item descriptions.

The only items you should not include in your diary are:
• Expenses while you were away from home overnight.
• Business or farm operating expenses.
• Sales tax, except for meals, snacks, and drinks away from home.

Start Date and E-mail Address
When you first log in, you will select your scheduled start date listed on the front of this user guide.
Select the date you are scheduled to begin entering expenses into your CE Diary:
MM/DD/YY
E-mail address (optional):
E-mail address
We will not share your e-mail address with any third parties. We ask for your e-mail address only to send reminders regarding your participation in this survey.
Continue

Username and Password
To change your username or password, click on the help menu located on the top-right section of your desktop and
select “User Settings.” You will be required to enter your email address and select and answer a security question.
In the mobile version, access the menu that appears as the three bars on the top right corner of the screen and select
“User Settings.”

No Expenses During the Diary Week
If you had no expenses during your diary week, log in to the diary on or after the last day of your diary week and you will
find the following checkbox. Check the box to confirm that you had no expenses during the week.

Logout
To protect your privacy, the CE Diary will automatically log you out if there is no activity for more than 15 minutes.
You can also log out at any time by clicking on the “Logout” button.
To prevent losing data you have entered, remember to save your entries after recording each purchase.

Lost Connection Message
If you lose internet connection, you will see the following error message:

Once you have a good connection, reload the website.

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Entering Expenses
Below are examples of your home screen where you will be able to view a summary of your entered expenses and add
new expenses. Please refer to page 4 for more detailed instructions on how to add an expense.

Desktop Version
To add an expense, you will enter information by first
selecting the appropriate week and then the date of
the expense on the left side of the screen.

Mobile Version
To add an expense, tap on the “Add Item” icon
on the bottom right of the summary screen. An
expense entry screen will appear allowing you to
add a new expense.

(mobile summary screen)

(mobile expense entry screen)

View, Edit, or Delete an Expense
To help you find a particular entry, you can enter a search term in the search box on the top right of your desktop
version. In the mobile version, tap on the “Search” icon on the bottom left of the summary screen. You can view your
expenses by selecting Week 1 or Week 2 and clicking on a specific date to expand the selection and view the expenses
entered for that date.

Desktop Version
To delete an expense, click on the trash can icon to
the right of the expense. To view or edit an
expense, click on the pencil icon to the far right of
the expense. In the left entry space, you will be able
to make any changes and select “Save” or “Back” to
cancel or “Delete” your entry.

Mobile Version
To delete an expense, tap on the trash can icon
to the right of the expense. To view or edit an
expense, tap on the pencil icon to the far right
of the expense. When you tap on edit, you will be
taken to the expense entry screen where you will
be able to make any changes and select “Save” or
“Back” to cancel or “Delete” your entry.

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Adding Expenses to Your CE Diary

The expense entry screen on the mobile version is on a separate screen, but the entry fields are the same.
Select the date the
purchase was made.
Enter the name of
the business.
Select the category.
To cancel and return
to your home screen,
select “Back.”

Select the diary week (1 or 2).

Category Specific Questions
After you select a category, additional questions specific to that category will appear for you to complete.

Meals, Snacks, and
Drinks Away From
Home
•

•
•

•

Enter the total cost
(include tax, tip, and
fees).
Select restaurant or
vendor type.
Indicate if alcohol was
included and the cost
of alcohol, if applicable.
Click the “Save” button
to save your expense
entry.

Food and Drinks for
Home Consumption
•
•

•
•

Describe the item or
expense.
Enter the cost of each
item (do not include
tax).
Select the type of
packaging.
Click the “Save” button
to save your expense
entry.

Clothing, Shoes,
Jewelry, and
Accessories

All Other Products,
Services, and
Expenses

•

•

•
•
•

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Describe the item or
expense.
Enter the cost
(do not include tax).
Select the gender
and age.
Click the “Save” button
to save your expense
entry.

•
•

Describe the item or
expense.
Enter the cost
(do not include tax).
Click the “Save” button
to save your expense
entry.

Meals, Snacks, and Drinks Away From Home vs. All Other Categories
The “Meals, Snacks, and Drinks Away From Home” category is different from the other categories. Below are examples
with entries in the mobile version.

Meals, Snacks, and Drinks Away From Home
Enter the entire meal/purchase as one entry and enter the total cost of the meal including tax, tip, and fees. Include any
delivery fees in the total cost.

All Other Categories
Enter each item purchased as a separate entry and enter the cost of the item without tax.

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Adding a CE Diary Shortcut

This will make it easier to access your diary each day as you are entering expenses. Although web browsers
vary across brands and versions, the steps for creating a shortcut are usually similar.
Adding a CE Diary Shortcut to Your Computer Desktop Screen
1. Update the desktop shortcut instructions on page 6 of the User Guide.
See below:
a. Open the web browser and enter the URL:
b. Once you have opened the website, find the icon next to the address bar,
and drag and drop it onto your desktop.

i. In Microsoft Edge, the icon looks like a padlock:

ii. In Google Chrome, the icon looks like the following:

Android Smartphones
1.

Open your internet browser.

iPhone
1.

Open your internet browser.

2. Enter the website address for the CE
Diary:

2. Enter the website address for the CE
Diary:

3. Once the website opens, tap on the
menu icon at the top right of the
screen:
•
•
•
4. A number of options will appear. Tap
on “Add to Home Screen.” The screen
below will pop up. Tap on “Add.”

3. Once the website opens, tap on the
share icon. The location of the share
icon varies depending on the browser
used.

5. When you close the browser and return
to your home screen, you will find an
icon labeled “CE Diary.” To quickly
access your CE Diary in the future,
simply tap on this shortcut.

CE Diary

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Have a QR code reader?
Access the CE Diary
quickly by scanning this
QR code:

4. A number of options will appear.
Scroll to the right in the bottom row
of options and tap on “Add to Home
Screen.” The screen below will pop up.
Tap on “Add.”

5. When you close the browser and return
to your home screen, you will find an
icon labeled “CE Diary.” To quickly
access your CE Diary in the future,
simply tap on this shortcut.

The people on your list:
Record the purchases and expenses made by ALL of these people.

Keep your records in this pocket.

(These records are only for your reference. We will not keep them.)

•
•
•
•
•
•

Receipts
Bills
Pay stubs
Bank statements
Catalog/internet purchases
Credit card statements

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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I record multiple quantities?
You may group identical items on the same line and enter
a total cost of all the items, or you may write each item on
a separate line with the individual cost.

2. How should I record prepayments such as a
subway fare card?

10. What about gift cards and gift certificates?
If you buy a gift card or gift certificate to give to someone,
enter the cost of it in All Other Products, Services, and
Expenses. If you use a gift card, enter the full amount for
your purchase as if paid with cash.

11. What do I do about returns and exchanges?

3. How should I record credit card purchases?

If an item is bought and returned during the diary week,
delete the entry. If it was bought outside the week and
returned during the week, do not make an entry. If an item
is exchanged during the week, delete the entry for the
item that was returned and enter the new item on the day
the exchange was made.

Record the purchase on the day that you use your credit
card to pay for it, not on the day you receive or pay your
credit card bill.

12. How do I categorize the establishment for
“Meals, Snacks, and Drinks Away From Home?”

4. Should I record automatic deductions taken from
my paycheck or bank account?

Fast Food, Take-Out, Delivery, Concession
You pay BEFORE you eat/drink.

Record the expense when you pay for it, not when you
use it.

Yes, record automatic deductions (such as health
insurance premiums taken out of your account or
paycheck) only if they are deducted that week.

Full Service Places
You pay AFTER you eat/drink, if you eat/drink at the
establishment.

5. Should I record typical monthly bills?
Yes, record typical monthly bills only if you pay them
during the week that you have the diary. Write them in the
section called All Other Products, Services, and Expenses.

Vending Machines or Mobile Vendors/Food Trucks
Include vending machines, carts, and food trucks that
move from place to place.

6. What should I do when I use coupons, discount
cards, or loyalty cards?

Employer and School Cafeterias
Include school meal plans and prepayments, and school
lunch bills.

Subtract the discount from the original price and write the
amount that you paid.

7. Can I just give you receipts instead of entering
the information?
We need you to enter the information in the diary. We
encourage you to save your receipts to review them with
your field representative at the end of the week. You can
use the pocket on the inside of this user guide to store
your receipts until you’re ready to record your purchases.

8. How should I record an item if I don’t know if it
includes tax?

13. What’s the difference between a concession
stand and a mobile vendor?
A concession stand has to stay in a permanent location
and a mobile vendor does not. Some mobile vendors may
seem permanent because they are usually in the same
location, but they are still considered mobile vendors
because they have the option to change locations.

14. Should I record subsidized/reimbursed
expenses?

Enter the amount paid.

Yes, but only record the portion that you or someone on
your list has paid.

9. What if I make a contribution or charitable
donation?

15. What should I do about shipping and handling
costs?

Record money contributions or donations in the
section called All Other Products, Services, and
Expenses.

Include the shipping and handling costs in the total price
of the item. If the shipping and handling covered multiple
items, include the shipping and handling in the total price
of one item from the order.
Access YouTube How-To videos by
scanning this QR code

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CE-818 (1-2025)