Definition
Monthly Recurring Expenses - These refer to the usual or recurring expenses by the household on a regular or monthly basis such as payment of bills for electricity, water, telephone, etc. and other non-bill payments.
1. 1 Fuel, light, and water - These are expenses on electricity and other products like kerosene, gas, candles, oils, etc; water and liquified petroleum gas and other fuel for cooking such as charcoal, firewood, etc.
1.2 Household operations- Household operation expenditures refer to laundry soap/detergent and other cleaning products; other consumables used for household operation such as starch for clothes, floor wax, insect spray, rat and mosquito killer/coil, air freshener/deodorizer, fluorescent and incandescent bulbs, matches, brooms, husks, battery, naphthalene balls, etc. Also included are laundry and dry clean services, payment of wages given to domestic helpers, gardeners, baby sitters, cooks, etc. and repair and maintenance of household appliances.
1.3 Transportation and communication - These are the transport expenses on land, air and water; personal transport expenses like gasoline, oil, repair and washing, purchase of spare parts, etc.; and feeds for animals use for transportation. Communication expenses consist of telephone bills, postage stamps, telegrams, driving lesson fees, etc.
1.4 Pocket money for children and other members - These are allowances given to children and other members of the household for their day to day expenses excluding allowance for transportation and food.
1.5 Personal care and effects - Personal care refers to beauty aid and toilet articles like cleansing cream, astringent, body deodorant, lotion, baby oil, make-up cosmetics, perfumes, powder, razor blade, toilet/bath soap, toilet and tissue paper, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
Personal effects refer to fine and costume jewelry, wristwatch, handbag, wallet, umbrella, etc; beauty parlor and barbershop service fees, and services paid for sauna bath, body massage, aerobics, fees for dance instructors, etc.
1.6 Leisure and recreation - Leisure are those expenditure for admission to movies/shows, cockfights, etc., memberships to hobby clubs, resorts, admission fee for basketball, boxing, circuses and fairs, including expenses on discos, nightclubs, beerhouses, billiard and pools, bowling, pets and its food, visit to veterinarian, etc.