Diary Information Booklet - CE 805

Consumer Expenditure Surveys
Diary Survey

Information Booklet
CE-805
Issued January 2015

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

census.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Privacy Act Statement

2

Demographics

3

Hispanic Origin

3

Race

3

Asian Origin

3

Education

4

Armed Forces

4

Occupations

5

Income

6

Card A

6

Card B

7

Card C

8

Diary Survey Checks

9

2015 Calendar

11

2016 Calendar

12

2017 Calendar

13

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

1

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. 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.

2

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

DEMOGRAPHICS

Hispanic Origin
1. Mexican
2. Mexican-American
3. Chicano
4. Puerto Rican
5. Cuban

Race
(Please choose one or more)
1. White
2. Black or African American
3. American Indian or Alaska Native
4. Asian
5. Native Hawaiian
6. Guamanian or Chamorro
7. Samoan
8. Other Pacific Islander

Asian Origin
1. Chinese
2. Filipino
3. Japanese
4. Korean
5. Vietnamese
6. Asian Indian

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

3

Demographics

Education
1. No schooling completed or less than 1 year
2. Nursery, kindergarten, and elementary
(grades 1-8)
3. High school (grades 9-12, no degree)
4. High school graduate – high school diploma
or the equivalent (GED)
5. Some college but no degree
6. Associate degree in college
7. Bachelor’s degree (BA, AB, BS, etc.)
8. Master’s, professional, or doctoral degree
(MA, MS, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, etc.)

Armed Forces
A person is considered to be in the Armed
Forces if he or she serves in any branch of the
U.S. military. This includes the Army, Navy,
Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard; their
Reserve components; and the Air and Army
National Guard.

4

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

OCCUPATIONS
1. Administrator, Manager
administrator
manager
2. Teacher
teacher
3. Professional
registered nurse
lawyer

funeral director

guidance counselor
accountant
engineer

physician
clergy

social worker
photographer

computer systems
analyst

receptionist

computer assistant

4. Administrative Support, including Clerical
secretary
bookkeeper
clerk
5. Sales, Retail
cashier
commodity salesperson
apparel salesperson

door-to-door salesperson
motor vehicle salesperson

6. Sales, Business Goods and Services
mining sales representative
real estate salesperson
manufacturing sales representative wholesale sales representative
7. Technician
health technician
electronic technician

practical nurse

8. Protective Service
private guard
police officer

drafting

financial services
insurance
salesperson

clinical laboratory technician

firefighter

9. Private Household Service
nanny
household worker
10. Other Service (except private household)
janitor
child care worker waiter/waitress food preparer
cook
hairstylist
maid/houseman orderly
11. Machine or Transportation Operator, Laborer
truck driver
assembler
inspector
bus driver
packager
tractor operator
freight handler
stock handler
machine operator
12. Construction Workers, Mechanics
automobile mechanic
machine repairer
electrician
carpenter
mining worker
sheet metal worker
13. Farming
farmer

machinist
painter

food counter/
fountain worker

taxi driver

construction laborer
material handler

meat cutter
plumber

farm worker

14. Forestry, Fishing, Groundskeeping
forestry worker
fisher
groundskeeper

animal caretaker

15. Armed Forces

5

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

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 (1-1-2015)

6

Income

CARD B

1. Less than $500
2. $ 500

– $ 699

3. $ 700

– $ 999

4. $ 1,000 – $ 1,299
5. $ 1,300 – $ 1,699
6. $ 1,700 and over

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

7

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
8

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

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.
CONTENT CHECKS
1.

All entries should be clearly readable. If there is an unreadable entry, 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 expenses 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 is marked
to indicate whether the food is fresh, frozen, etc.

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.

EXPENDITURE DETAIL CHECKS
1. Food and Drinks Away from Home
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: If the purchase is exclusively alcohol, ensure the type(s) is
(are) specified and that the total cost and the alcohol cost are the same. Both cost
entries must be recorded.
MEALS: Check the type of meal (lunch, breakfast, dinner, snack/other) and the type of
vendor. If alcohol is included, make sure the type(s) of alcohol is (are) marked in the
checkboxes and the cost is recorded.
2. Food and Drinks for Home Consumption
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.
COFFEE: Specify if instant or ground
JUICE, BEVERAGE: Specify type, such as orange juice, fruit punch, etc.

9

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

Diary Survey Checks

BREAD: Specify if white, whole wheat, rye, pumpernickel, etc.
PORK: Specify the cut of pork and describe, such as pork loin roast, whole ham, etc.
POULTRY: Specify whether it is chicken, turkey, or other
SOFT DRINKS: Specify if cola or other type; if not cola, specify if carbonated or
noncarbonated
OTHER FOOD: Give a complete description, such as boxed scalloped potatoes
3. Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry, and Accessories
CLOTHING: Specify the type of clothing and give a description of the item
JEWELRY: Specify the type of jewelry, such as watches, etc.
SHOES: If sport shoes, specify sport, such as football cleats, ice skates, etc.
4. All Other Products, Services, and Expenses
ALBUM: Specify if photo album or record album
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.
BUS, TRAIN: Specify intercity or intracity fare
DISHWASHER: Specify whether it is portable or built-in
DOCTOR BILLS: Specify type of doctors, such as dentist, internist, etc.
FURNITURE: Specify type such as kitchen chair, living room chair, etc.
GAS: Specify if gasoline or household fuel. If household fuel, indicate whether piped or
bottled.
LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANING: Specify if coin-operated or not coin-operated; specify
whether household item (such as drapes) or apparel
MEDICINE: Specify if prescription or non-prescription
SOAP: Specify hand soap or laundry soap
TABLEWARE: Specify type, such as china, flatware, silver service pieces, etc.
TOOLS: Specify if power or hand tool, such as power saw, etc.
TUITION: Specify high school, college, etc.
VEHICLE: Specify new or used and type of vehicle purchased
VEHICLE REGISTRATION: Specify state or local
VEHICLE REPAIR: Specify type of service such as an oil change, brake adjustment,
etc.

10

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

2015 CALENDAR

JANUARY
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

JULY
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

S

M

FEBRUARY
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

AUGUST
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
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

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

S

M

T

6
13
20
27

T

F

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

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

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

T

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

11

W

OCTOBER

MAY
W

T

SEPTEMBER

APRIL
S

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 31

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

2016 CALENDAR

JANUARY
S

M

T

W

T

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

JULY
S
2
9
16
23
30

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
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

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

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

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER
S
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

M

T

W

S

M

OCTOBER
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

T

W

T

F

NOVEMBER

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

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

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

12

T

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

APRIL
S

W

S

MARCH
S

T

M

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 31

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

2017 CALENDAR

JANUARY

JULY

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
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

FEBRUARY
S

M

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

3
10
17
24

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

APRIL
W

T

T

W

T

OCTOBER

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

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 31

MAY
S

NOVEMBER

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

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

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

13

F

SEPTEMBER

T

T

T

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

M

W

AUGUST

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

T

M

T

W

S

S

M

M

T

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

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

14

CE-805 (1-1-2015)

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