---
title: "V. Bill-Paying Practices"
description: "About half (51%) of all adults surveyed say they don’t rely on a formal budget to guide household expenses. There are no significant differences between men and women; or among income groups. And, there are only modest differences by education and along racial and ethnic lines. There is some variance in the use of a […]"
date: "2007-02-07"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2007/02/07/v-bill-paying-practices/"
---

# V. Bill-Paying Practices

About half (51%) of all adults surveyed say they don't rely on a formal budget to guide household expenses. There are no significant differences between men and women; or among income groups. And, there are only modest differences by education and along racial and ethnic lines.

![Figure](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/legacy/304-interior.gif)

There is some variance in the use of a budget by age. Adults on the younger side (ages 18-64) are more likely than those ages 65 and older to rely on a budget.

Significant differences surface by marital status. [Married people are more likely to rely on a budget](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2007/02/07/what-americans-pay-for-and-how/305-3/) (51%) than are the unmarried (44%). Parents of minor age children (54%) are more likely than non-parents and those with adult age children (44% each) to say they use a budget to guide household expenses.

Employment status is also important. [Workers are more likely than retirees or non-retirees who are not employed to rely on a budget](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2007/02/07/what-americans-pay-for-and-how/305-3/).

More than half (55%) of [those who have had a debt problem](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2007/02/07/what-americans-pay-for-and-how/306-3/) (those who have used a credit consolidator or declared bankruptcy in the past) say they rely on a formal budget. Similarly, those with credit card debt that exceeds their ability to pay in full each month are a bit more likely to have a budget for household expenses.

Those who use a budget are [more likely than those who don't](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2007/02/07/what-americans-pay-for-and-how/324-3/) to regularly review their household expenses.

Among the former group, nearly two-thirds (64%) say they review their expense at least once a month to see how well they are doing or to make changes in their spending habits; among those in the latter group, just 40% say they engage in this sort of monthly review.

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**Next:** [VI. Cash, Check, Debit or Credit?](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2007/02/07/vi-cash-check-debit-or-credit.md)