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The problem considered in this paper is one of allocating a predetermined aggregate among its components. An example from econometrics is the allocation among various competing consumption items of a consumer's budget, the total size of which is usually taken as determined outside the allocation framework. Under the specification adopted, one may treat any choice of (m -- 1) of the m components of the predetermined aggregate as stochastic, fitting the allocation equations for these (m--1) variables by Aitken's principle. The parameters of the equation excluded from the estimation procedure may be found by differencing; the estimates obtained in this way are shown to be invariant under any choice of which (m--1) equations are fitted. Further, this invariance property is distribution free. These results hold good whether the aggregate is simple or weighted. As an alternative interpretation, moreover, one may regard this problem simply as one of fitting m equations containing a common regressor under an exact linear constraint relating this regressor to the m regressands of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Manual editing to individual budgets in the Family Expenditure Survey is necessary before the data can be transferred to a computer. This paper describes some of the practical problems that occur. They include editing adjustments to take account of duplication of items from different sources, difficulties in applying definitions, incomplete and inconsistent information, doubts about the timing of certain transactions and changes in household composition during the survey period. The discussion includes a theoretical appreciation of editing principles where the time factor is involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is concerned with non-monetized transactions which are dimensionally important in developing countries. The notion of degree of monetization attaches to all real flows. It is necessary to analyze non-monetized transactions in order to a have a better understanding of the producing and consuming activities of households which contribute a large part of national product in less developed countries. Among different non-monetized flows, particular attention is paid to the use of the output of own production for different purposes. A survey of Indian information on the degree of non-monetization shows that it is different for different flows: highest for consumption, intermediate for current inputs and lowest for investment. Cross section Indian data indicate that the degree of non-monetization is expected to fall with the improvement in the average household expenditure and urbanisation but it may rise if development occurs largely through agricultural improvement. Some of the Indian findings may apply to other developing countries as well. Normally, estimates of expenditure elasticities based on cross section data are obtained from consumption expenditure on a particular item (e) and the aggregate consumption expenditure (E) without going into the question of the degree of non-monetization of either element. Since traditional models of consumer behaviour apply only to the relation between money expenditure on a particular item (em) and the aggregate money expenditure (Em), it is suggested that the relation between e and E should be broken down into relations between (i) em and Em, (ii) ek and Ek where these are the corresponding kind elements and (iii) among E, Em and Ek. Some estimates of elasticity based on this scheme are presented indicating that the procedure is reasonable and suggesting that this type of analysis would probably furnish a suitable framework for answering relevant questions in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses methods of using census data to determine and forecast consumer expenditures. The author examines the use of the family budget records in forecasting expenditures, noting their presentation of statistics in totals by geographic areas. He views this as a shortcoming, because it is impossible to determine from this data, information on the consumption habits of individual families. The author notes a study using census information in which each state was used as a "family unit," and per capita state expenditures were related to per capita income statistics.

The article discusses the use of small area census data in marketing research. The author believes that as units of measurement, cities, metropolitan areas and counties are too small to base per capita figures on. According to the author, the same problem applies to the designation of trade areas using published census data at the time of publication. The author suggests instead, discovering the expenditure patterns for families, and family budget information through the use of consumer panels or consumer interviews.

The article reports on the growing popularity and dangers of consumer credit, specifically lower income families which become indebted. The business of the family has seen the growth of credit unions, personal loan departments in banks, and personal finance companies.The author states that selling on credit became a result of rising levels of production. The troubles of debt are described. Potential solutions include increased consumer education and improved regulation of the process by which credit is extended.

The article presents information on marketing research studies by U.S. colleges and universities. At the University of California Professor E. T. Grether completed a study entitled "Retail Price Control Under Fair Trade Laws in California." At the University of Chattanooga Professor Clyde William Phelps completed two studies in a series for the Household Finance Corporation. Three studies have been completed by the University of Denver in the Bureau of Business and Social Research. One study, under the direction of Dr. E. T. Halaas, focuses on sales tax.

The article presents analysis of consumer spending, specifically focusing on the relations between income and discretionary spending. The work of German statistician Ernst Engel is referenced as a foundation for much research in consumer expenditure forecasting. Engel is credited with theorizing rules for the relationship income has on spending for clothing, food, health, recreation, luxury goods, rent and utilities. The article addresses the question of whether these consumer expenditure theories apply over extended periods of time.

The article presents an analysis of total vacation and travel expenditures in the United States for 1938. The author states the popular estimate is $5,000,000,000 in annual spending, but believes limited research backs up this amount. An estimate is set forth which seeks to more accurately calculate the correct amount of vacation and travel spending. Expenses are separated into either food, lodging, transportation, or other. Transportation budget is calculated by using data on miles per gallon, cost of gas, average distance of travel, total miles travelled for pleasure, etc. By breaking down each item, a total amount can be determined with reasonable accuracy.

The article focuses on the utilization of role playing, mathematical and language skills in the Travel Costs Money project for educable mentally retarded students at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois. The project aimed to teach the students the necessity of budgeting money when traveling. Students were given roles to play and were told to decide to take a vacation with their earnings. They were told to decide on the best means of transportation, clothing, food and accommodation and entertainment suitable to their budget. At the end of the project, each students wrote up his trip in diary form and made out expense sheets.

This article examines the changing level of drink consumption and expenditure between 1870 and 1914, and an attempt to assess the extent to which this expenditure inhibited any improvement in working-class living standards, which might be expected to follow from rising real wages. In order to gauge the impact of drink expenditure on the family budget, the fact that wife and children are abstainers is irrelevant as they are still affected to the extent that some part of the family budget is spent on drink by the wage earner. Of greater value would be data on the number of adult male abstainers who were heads of households, but even the temperance movement, with its penchant for collecting statistics, failed on this score. Personal expenditure on drink can give only an imperfect indication of the economic effect of drink consumption unless it can be related in some way to income. While the growth, in consumer demand was not positively retarded by rising drink expenditure, neither was it positively assisted by an absolute reduction in this expenditure until after 1900. This suggests that while levels of drink consumption were partially determined by relative price changes of competing commodities, there was also a significant degree of autonomous consumption.

Studies the spending and saving habits of rural and urban families in the United States during the early 1960s. Average after-tax family income for 196-1961; Breakdown of living expenses; Spending patterns in different income levels.

Focuses on the monthly survey of family budgets in the Union Soviet Socialist Republic as of June 1965. Administration of the survey by the Department of Budget Statistics of the Central Statistical Administration; History and coverage of the survey; Uses of the data gathered from the survey.

This article focuses on the round table discussion on the problem of effective public utility regulation. As a chairman of the discussion, the author outlined the scope of the discussion. The specific problem considered was the rate base which was best suited to effective and financially sound regulation. Professor Robert L. Hale, of Columbia University, expressed himself in substantial agreement with the proposed plan of a fixed rate base and disregards certain fundamental conditions in his support of reproduction cost. First, it seems to assume a general mobility of capital; that public utility capital may be readily shifted to other industries if the returns, after the investment has been made, are not readily adjusted according to changing prices or other conditions affecting competitive business. But the great bulk of the utility investments is truly fixed capital and cannot be shifted whatever changes in return may be obtained in other business. Professor J.C. Bonbright, of Columbia University, devoted himself especially to the financial aspects of the proposal as compared with reproduction cost. He considered particularly the cost of capital to the public, and the safeguards to the investors. His conclusion was that there can be no doubt that the actual investment basis, with a systematic machinery for prompt rate adjustments, would obtain capital at substantially lower cost to the public than would be possible under the reproduction cost.

The article focuses on the analysis of family budgets as providing a basis for adjusting the wage rates. The cost and standard of living have been analyzed in connection with investigations of factors entering into international trade, to determine the living conditions of wage-earners and to secure a basis for the establishment of minimum wage rates. In estimating the minimum cost of maintaining a fair standard of living in this country it has usually been considered not enough to accept the average of what families actually are spending, since the standard at which they live may be deficient at one or more points. In practice, the needs of a family of five persons, as determined either by expenditures of actual families who met certain standards or by theoretical considerations of what such a family required, have been the basis of estimates of the minimum cost of living. The new principle is designed to prevent the "free and relentless play of the forces of supply and demand in fixing wages," and recognizes that every wage earner is entitled to a living wage.

A section of abstracts summarizes recent articles relating to consumer analysis, including "Changing Trends in Regional Shopping Centers," by T. D. Ellsworth, Delores Benjamin, and Herman Radolf, published in the Winter 1958-1959 issue of the "Journal of Retailing," as well as "Shopping Habits Report," published in the January 1959 issue of "Super Market Merchandising," and "The 1958 Food Dollar--How Was It Spent?" by Curtis C. Rogers, published in the December 1958 issue of "Food Business."

A number of abstracts are presented for articles pertaining to the field of consumer studies. They include "Average Food Expenditures of Midwest Families," "The Wage Earner Forum" and "Aviation Survey."

The article discusses the results of the research conducted at Wintrhop College, which is relevant to money management among women. The author explores the possible implications of the findings for teachers of money management. It was found out from the study that there was little difference between wives from different socioeconomic levels with respect to management of their daily activities. Another finding of the study is that many of the wives engaged in conservative money management practices. The author enumerates the implications of the study for teachers of money management based on findings.