The Application of Household Life Cycle Variables to Spending Patterns Using Canadian Data

An investigation of the efficacy of applying life cycle variables to explain Canadian domestic spending patterns draws on data from several Family Expenditures Surveys (total N = 30,655 households). After presenting a traditional household life cycle model, a version with descriptions of life cycle stages that better fit available data is suggested. Regression analyses of both traditional & revised models show that models with socioeconomic & demographic variables have greater explanatory value in consumer spending patterns for food, clothing, transportation, & shelter. While life cycle variables are relevant in understanding patterns of expenditure, results confirm the continued primacy of socioeconomic & demographic variables. 4 Tables, 40 References. Adapted from the source document.