Give more details on real spending in expenditure survey

The Department of Statistics could perhaps provide more details on the Household Expenditure Survey’s findings in future to capture real spending instead of what households own. (“S’pore households better off than before in material terms”; Sept 19)

This is important, as it would determine the actual finer things that all income groups own.

For example, it is common for people to own a mobile phone, but how many of them are signed on to more expensive subscription plans? How many use cheaper alternatives, such as prepaid cards?

The poor may not be able to afford a new handset and choose to purchase a second-hand mobile phone instead.

Many fibre broadband users also subscribe to basic pay-TV packages, which are bundled with their broadband subscriptions.

But how many of them are paying for add-ons that entail additional monthly charges? How do we distinguish between those who can afford only a basic Internet broadband plan and those who can subscribe to premium pay-TV packages and channels such as Fox and HBO?

As for car ownership, it was not clear whether households that owned them had second-hand or brand-new cars, which are more expensive.

Did many purchase their cars using a monthly instalment plan? How many were able to pay for their cars in full using cash? Did those taking out a loan apply for the full amount allowed?