Table 1.

A classification of spending categories by regularity and frequency of expense

Regularity	Frequency	Examples
Somewhat regular	High (weekly)	Food, gasoline
Regular	Medium (monthly)	Rent, utilities, prescription drugs (for some people)
Regular	Low (annual or semiannual)	Property taxes, auto license
Irregular	Varies across households (for some quarterly or more often, for others less than once a year)	Clothing, health care (e.g., co-payments)
Big ticket items	Usually less than once a year	Automobiles, home improvements