Determining Other Necessities Expense

The data for “other necessities” come from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The Other Necessities Expense includes apparel, personal care products and services, and other miscellaneous expenses.

The Other Necessities Expense calculated on the site uses DEED data on the average proportion of what families in the bottom 40 percent of the overall income distribution spent on the items listed above, which was 21% of food and housing costs, according to the most recent data. The amount is calculated as a percentage of what a family spends on food and housing to take into account household size and relativity of other expenditures. It is a frugal estimate of other expenses as it doesn't include money spent on entertainment, education or reading, or diapers but does include items that are necessary for a safe and basic status of living.