Has COVID-19 changed other weekly/monthly expenses or created new expenses? Please list (Q42 Sp2020)

The chart reflects responses to Question #42 from the Spring 2020 survey, which asked: “Has COVID-19 changed or added other weekly/monthly expenses? Please list.” This was an open-ended question. 

Eighty-four respondents answered this question, with many picking multiple answers. 

• Twenty-three respondents (27.4%) said there have been no changes; 

• Thirty-eight respondents (46.4%) reported increased expenses in food

• Eight respondents (2.4%) stated they were spending less on food. 

• Three respondents (3.6%) said they are spending less on personal entertainment like concerts, parties, or video game tournaments. 

• Five respondents (5.9%) responded they are spending less on transportation.

• Five respondents (5.9%) were spending less on gas

• Three respondents (4.8%) said they were spending more on health products such as masks, wipes, and/or sanitizers. 

• One respondent (1.2%) was spending more on toiletries

• Two respondents (2.4%) said they were experiencing decreased expenses but did not list those. 

• One respondent (1.2%) was spending more from buying in bulk

• One respondent (1.2%) had spent more on zoom

• It is worth noting that the question asked about “other expenses” after having already talked about bill payment, but three respondents (3.6%) reiterated an increase in their electric bill and one (1.2%) respondent indicated an increase in gas and water. 

• One respondent (1.2%) did not know if their expenses had changed.

• Two respondents (2.4%) spent less on personal spending such as impulsive Amazon purchases

• One respondent (1.2%) was spending less on gifts

The data was produced by the Shifting Energy Demands in COVID-19 Survey - Overview, which was administered to 86 people over a six week period in May-June 2020. Visit the Shifting Energy Demands in COVID-19 - Survey Results page to view more data from our survey. The project is approved by Drexel’s IRB.