Average Monthly Expenses for an American Family of Three

The statistical table which follows shows the average monthly expenses for an American family of three in 1999. While three family members might represent a father, mother, and one child, in light of the high divorce rate in the United States it often refers to a divorced or separated mother and two children. Mote that in the United States a high percentage of a family’s food costs is spent for food eaten away from home, often in fast food restaurants. Transportation costs in the United States are also substantial, since most adults have their own car. Health care is another major expense, especially for the 40% of American families who do not have health insurance.

Category	Dollars Spent	Rubles* Spent	% of the Total
Food			12.3
Eaten at home		7,094
Eaten away from home		4,921
Housing			29.1
Home		16,236
Furnishings and equipment		3,596
Electricity		2,122
Telephone		2,072
Natural gas
Fuel oil
Water and other public services
Other expenses		2,822
Clothing		4,121	4.2
Transportation			18.7
Car purchase costs		8,692
Petroleum and oil		2,672
Maintenance and repairs		1,673
Car insurance		1,972
Finance charges
Other expenses		2,172
Health care		4,045	4.2
Personal care - hair care, cosmetics, etc.			1.0
Entertainment		4,770	4.9
Reading materials			0.4
Education		1,648	1.7
Alcoholic beverages			0.7
Tobacco products			0.8
Cash contributions		2,222	2.3
Pensions		7,893	8.1
Other insurance - life, health, etc.			1.0
Taxes		8,117	8.3
Other costs		2,272	2.3
TOTAL	3,898	97,372	100.0

*Based upon the average exchange rate of 24,98 = one dollar that existed in 1999

Success in the United States is often measured by the size and quality of one's home, one's automobiles, and other possessions. As a result, people who wish to be considered successful often spend as much money as they can to purchase these products. Business advertising places additional psychological pressure on consumers. It suggests that buying the latest and most expensive products will increase one's popularity and sexual attractiveness. Because of these factors, many Americans constantly search for the newest and most technologically advanced products-frequently ones they cannot afford.

Easy access to credit cards and other forms of credit makes it easy for Americans to buy homes, cars, and other products before they have the money to pay for them. "Buy now and pay later" has been a popular slogan in the United States for more than fifty years. Because of this philosophy, Americans often buy more than they can presently afford and discover later that they lack the money to pay their debts. This can result in considerable personal embarrassment, severe emotional distress, and problems. Notwithstanding these risks, Americans continue to spend excessively, both to themselves as successful and to satisfy their appetite for immediate gratification.

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