Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 1
POD: Primary Discretionary
Expenses
Groceries, Health care, Clothing &
Child Care
These budget categories should be considered after housing, transportation, savings, investment & credit cards.
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 2
Groceries
Groceries
• Grocery costs for a family of two can vary
from $379 to $750 a month
• Your product choices fall into four
categories: generic, name brand, organic,
and gourmet
The USDA recently released these findings. The variance depends on how thrifty you are as a consumer and which
category of groceries you prefer. You may also reduce your month cost by shopping sales and clipping coupons.
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 3
Groceries
Generic Groceries
• Are generally less expensive than name brands
• Do not have the cost of major advertising campaigns built
into the price
• Often very similar taste and quality to name brands, but
may change suddenly
• Usually produced in a name brand facility that has extra
capacity
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 4
Groceries
Name Brand Groceries
• Consistent high quality products
• Heavily marketed to appeal to target groups of
consumers
• Marketing and high quality standards drive up the cost
for these products
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 5
Groceries
Organic Groceries
• These products are produced with limited chemical or
pesticide use
• Some people believe these products to be healthier and
safer than other products
• Limiting the use of chemicals and pesticides often reduces
the yield of crops
• Lower yield per amount of work results in higher unit cost
These higher costs of production are passed along to the consumer. The time and labor to inspect and certify organic
food also add to the cost, making organic products more expensive.
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 6
Groceries
Gourmet Groceries
• Delicacy items, including choice cuts of beef
and seafood
• Out of season vegetables and fruits that are
shipped from exotic locations
• May also include elaborately prepared foods
ready to take home and “heat & eat”
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 7
Health Care
Health insurance is a way to pay
for health care. It protects you from
paying the full costs of medical
services when you're injured or sick.
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 8
Health Care
Can having health insurance
actually make you healthier?
Ask students for their opinion. Would they be more likely to visit the doctor if they had insurance to help cover cost?
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 9
Health Care
YES! Having regular access to
doctors for physicals can help people
to catch medical problems early and
make better lifestyle decisions.
People with health insurance are more likely to go to the doctor. Regular checkups detect problems early. Many times a
lifestyle change can help medical conditions and prevent serious illness.
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 10
Clothing
Famous Footwear & Clothing
Are shoes and clothing a want or a
need?
Ask each student to answer this question.
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 11
Clothing
Where do you purchase your
favorite jeans or shoes?
• Department Stores
• Outlet Stores
• Specialty Shops
• Big Box Stores
• Discount Retailers
• Re-sale Shops
Ask for input from the students.
Examples:
Departments stores – Macy’s
Specialty – Hollister
Discount Retailers – Famous footwear, Marshalls
Big Box – Target
Outlet – Polo Ralph Lauren
Re-sale – Plato’s Closet
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 12
Clothing
Department Stores & Specialty Shops:
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Latest styles
Higher prices
Good selection
Designer apparel
When are you most likely to shop at these places? (need something in a hurry)
How can you save money when you shop there? (watch sales, coupons)
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 13
Clothing
Discount Retailers & Outlet Stores:
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Designer Brands
Less selection
Name Brands
Maybe out of season
Lower pricing
Discount Retailers and Outlet Stores often get their merchandise from overstocks. They are a good place to get the latest
fashions at a good price. Satisfy wants at, or close to, the cost of a need!
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 14
Child Care
Child Care
How many children do you have?
How old are they?
(tap Life Scenario button to check)
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 15
Child Care
•
Child Care is required for all children
age 11 & under.
•
School age children (5 + years) will
require before and after care.
•
Types of care include Homecare and
Professional.
•
In some areas full time professional
care can be as much as $800/ month
Child Care is a surprisingly large household expense!
In 35 states, the cost of full time professional child care is more than in-state tuition at a 4 year state university! That is
about $800 each month!
The cost of summer care for school age children is another expense to consider.
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 16
Child Care
Homecare
Professional
• Fewer
regulations
• Very regulated
• Smaller groups
• Larger groups
• More expensive
• Less expensive
Homecare can be more convenient and flexible as well. Some people believe professional care to be a safer choice.
Because it is very regulated and has larger groups of children, professional care can feel more institutional. Will your child
care preference be different for young children and school age children?
Volunteer Research Notes for Pod: Primary Discretionary Expenses
Slide 17
Groceries: Schnucks
Centene Health Insurance
Clothing: Famous Footwear
Child Care
Business ID:
Business ID:
Business ID:
Business ID:
252
478
799
543
If time allows during Research:
1. Unlock Centene Health Insurance on your tablet
2. Login into the Centene computer kiosks
3. Take a short survey about your healthcare preferences
4. Print the insurance policy recommended to best fit your needs
Display this slide during Shopping & Payment only.
Please advance to first slide before the
next group of students arrives. When
all Research is complete, display the
last slide for the remainder of the day.
Thank you!