In What Direction Are Americans Growing?

The average American household spends its money differently than in 1949

. In the following breakdown the percentages in parentheses are for 1949. According to NPR's "Planet Money", in 2011 the average American household spent 15.3% (40%) of its income on food, 41% (26.1%) on housing, 3.6% (11.7%) on clothes, 16.9% (7.3%) on transportation, 6% (5%) on recreation, 7.1% (3.2%) on medical care and 10.2% (6.7%) on "other". The decreases in food and clothes are attributed to increased production. However, the increases in housing and transportation are attributed to Americans having bigger homes and more cars. Americans have "growing pains".

American grandparents are more monetarily involved in their grandchildren's lives. According to a 2011 survey of 1,900 grandparents conducted by AARP, about 50% of them helped with education expenses, 37% with everyday living expenses and 23% with medical or dental expenses. However, some grandparents played an even more substantial role in their grandchildren's lives. Of the 16% who provided child care, 20% said they did because the parents couldn't afford to pay for it. Ten percent of the grandparents had grandchildren living with them and 40% of those were the primary caregivers. This survey further explains the "grand" in grandparents.

Multi-generational homes are increasing in number. According to the Census Bureau, in 2010 three or more generations lived in 4.4 million American homes - a 15% increase from 3.8 million in 2008. According to the Pew Research Center, the poverty rate in multi-generational homes was 11.5% in 2009 versus 14.6% in non-multi-generational homes. Although the recession caused doubling up of families to save money, families have found doubling up also saves time and stress. As a result, the National Association of Home Builders predicts more families will want bigger homes. This is the 21st century version of "family planning".

E-books are increasing in number too and they are increasing the amount of time Americans spend reading. According to the Pew Research Center, about 20% of American adults read an e-book in 2011. On average e-book readers read more books than print readers - 24 books a year versus 15. E-books are more popular for reading in bed; but print books are more popular for lending, borrowing and reading to children. In 2011 nearly 75% of Americans read print books and 11% listened to audiobooks. Then there's the almost 20% who didn't read one book of any kind - which gives new meaning to "bookends".

by: Knight Pierce Hirst

POST COMMENT

Ibm 000-957 Exam: Become An Ibm Certified Specialist No Time To Lose Weight? Try This! Aware Of The Immigration Form To Upgrade To Green Card Holder Status? Learn How To Select A Helicopter Flight School Guide For Vaughan Mortgages Nikon Coolpix Testimonials - Examine Earlier Than You Buy How To Know If You Have A Good Electrician 3200.1 Test Examination: Importance Of Clearing The Real 3200.1 Examination Test Taking Care Of Your Skin Avaya Aura Contact Center Administration Exams 3300 Considering Recording Arts? Runescape Fastest Way To 99 Range Guide Bridgemere Garden Centre