Full text of Survey and Diary of Consumer Payment Choice : 2018 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice : Diary Questionnaire

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

Version: December 5, 2019

Diary 2018 questionnaire – uas144


In this document, there are some areas which are shaded for various reasons
o Programing instructions are usually in red text and I’ll start them with a comment
marker like this
 ## Hello this is an instruction or comment

1) Pre-Day 0
## Reminders: HAVE THE VENDOR SEND EMAIL REMINDERS TO TAKE THE SCPC EACH DAY FOR 3
DAYS LEADING UP TO THE DIARY DAY
## Send reminder email to the respondent each diary day (0, 1, 2, and 3). The email should remind
the respondent to remember to participate in the diary and to log on each night.
## Variables to pull in from the SCPC:














pa001_a, pa001_b, baadopter
o These are number of checking accounts, number of savings accounts, and flag for
bank account adoption
pa008 questions, dcadopter
o pa008_a1, _a2, _a3, pa008_b1, _b2, _b3
o These are the responses to the number of debit cards and number of ATM cards.
DCADOPTER is the created variable that controls the flow of later parts of the
survey.
ccadopter
o This created variable controls the flow of the survey for those respondents with
credit cards
Pcadopter, GPRADOPTER
o These variables have to do with prepaid cards and general purpose prepaid card
adoption.
moadopter
o This created variable controls the flow of the survey for those respondents who are
money order adopters.
obbpadopter
o This created variable controls the flow of the survey for those respondents who are
online banking bill payment adopters.
DE013
o If de013 = 1 then respondent owns primary home, if de013 = 2 then they do not
own home.

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

1

Version: December 5, 2019


pa001_d1, pa048
o If pa001_d1 = YES then the respondent has a Paypal account
o pa048 asks how the payment account is funded. We are interested in response
option 4, “money stored with payment service”

2) Day 0 Intro/Welcome screen
IF diarist logs on and SCPC IS INCOMPLETE, THEN SHOW WARNING:
It is important that you take the Survey of Consumer Payment Choice (SCPC) before participating in
this Diary.
Please click here to take the SCPC.
After you take the SCPC, you will be able to continue participating this Diary.
## This “Day 0” section contains items that we need to ask the night before the respondent begins the
diary. Items that are in this module are “time sensitive” meaning that they have to be asked before the
diarist starts recording their payments and transactions.
## Intro screen
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the 2018 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice on
[ADD SPACE HERE]
[DISPLAY DIARY DAY 1 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] to [DISPLAY DIARY DAY 3 HERE,
example “Wednesday, October 3”].
[ADD SPACE HERE]
Today,
[ADD SPACE HERE]
[DISPLAY DIARY DAY 0 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”],
[ADD SPACE HERE]
you will be answering a 10-minute survey that helps us prepare for your answers during the next three
days. Please answer these questions at the end of the day today.
Tomorrow,
[ADD SPACE HERE]
[DISPLAY DIARY DAY 1 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”],
[ADD SPACE HERE]
we will ask you about purchases, payments, and cash activity. Please record all of payment behavior,
including days with zero payments or no cash activity.
Your diary responses will be used for research purposes only.

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

2

Version: December 5, 2019

3) Account ownership – import from SCPC
## This section will be replaced by the Accounts Module in the SCPC. If the respondent has already
taken the SCPC, then we don’t need to ask any of the questions about account ownership or
adoption.
We will import their answers from the SCPC and maybe give them a screen which says “Is everything
correct?”
## Here we want to build new variables that are a combination of the SCPC variables if they exist, or
the new DCPC variables if they are not missing. We’ll use these variables to control the flow of
certain questions later in the online diary questionnaire. First we must initialize the variables.
dcpc_pa001_a = SCPC variable pa001_a
dcpc_dcadopter = SCPC variable dcadopter
dcpc_ccadopter = SCPC variable ccadopter
dcpc_gpradopter = SCPC variable gpradopter
dcpc_paypaladopter = 0
IF scpc variables pa001_d1 = YES and pa048_d1 = YES (“money
stored…”) then dcpc_paypaladopter = 1
IF diarist has already taken SCPC:
(qday0_scpcintro)
Previously, you took another survey called the Survey of Consumer Payment Choice. In that survey,
you told us you:
## display as a table, where each row has one of these lines of text
Have [FILL: pa001_a. if pa001_a = missing then display “0”] checking account(s)
IF DCADOPTER = 1 THEN: Have at least one debit card
ELSE IF DCADOPTER = (0, missing) THEN: Do not have a debit card
IF CCADOPTER = 1 THEN: Have at least one credit card
ELSE IF CCADOPTER = (0, missing) THEN: Do not have a credit card
IF dcpc_paypaladopter = 1 THEN: Have money stored in a PayPal account
ELSE IF dcpc_paypaladopter = (0, missing) THEN: Do not have money
stored in a PayPal account

Is this all correct?
1. Yes
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

3

Version: December 5, 2019
2. No

IF (qday0_scpcintro = NO or if SCPC has not been completed) then
## One screen for all of the following (temp_pa001_a, temp_dcadopter, temp_ccadopter,
temp_gpradopter)
Please tell us the correct information about your accounts and cards.
(temp_pa001_a)


Number of checking accounts you own: [numeric text box]

(temp_dcadopter)


Do you have any debit cards?
1. Yes
0. No

(temp_ccadopter)


Do you have any credit cards?
1. Yes
0. No

(temp_paypaladopter)


Do you have any money stored in a PayPal account?
1. Yes
0. No

## Next, we’ll use the variables initialized above and the responses from the question above and set the
variable to the correct value if necessary.
IF (temp_pa001_a not missing and temp_pa001_a not equal to dcpc_pa001_a)
then dcpc_pa001_a = temp_pa001_a
IF (temp_dcadopter not missing and temp_dcadopter not equal to
dcpc_dcadopter) then dcpc_dcadopter = temp_dcadopter
IF (temp_sbldcadopter not missing and temp_sbldcadopter not equal to
sbldc_dcadopter) then sbldc_dcadopter = temp_sbldcadopter
IF (temp_ccadopter not missing and temp_ccadopter not equal to
dcpc_ccadopter) then dcpc_ccadopter = temp_ccadopter
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

4

Version: December 5, 2019
IF (temp_paypaladopter not missing and temp_paypaladopter not equal to
dcpc_paypaladopter) then dcpc_paypaladopter = temp_paypaladopter
## new screen – ask to everybody
(do_you_have_gpr)
When you took the Survey of Consumer Payment Choice, we asked if you have a general purpose
reloadable prepaid card. Sometimes people get rid of their prepaid cards, and sometimes they get new
ones, so we need to ask you again.
Do you have any general purpose reloadable prepaid cards?


These prepaid cards have a logo from Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express and can be used
to make payments anywhere credit cards or debit cards are accepted.
1. Yes
2. No
## assign value to dcpc_gpradopter
IF do_you_have_gpr = YES then dcpc_gpradopter = YES
ELSE dcpc_gpradopter = NO
IF ccadopter = 1 OR dcpc_ccadopter = 1 THEN
(ccq_001)
Think about all your credit cards.
During the period between [DISPLAY DIARY DAY 1 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] to [DISPLAY
DIARY DAY 3 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], how many different credit cards do you expect
to use to make payments?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1
2
3
4
5
More than 5

## New screen
Please tell us about each credit card you typically use to make payments.


We will use the nickname to refer back to this card during your diary period. The nickname can
be something like “blue card” or “kitten picture”.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

5

Version: December 5, 2019

IF ccq_001 = 6 then show instruction:
You told us that you have more than five credit cards that you use in a typical month. We are only going
to ask you about the five you use most often.
## Number of rows equals number selected above.
Type of credit card?
Does this card
give rewards?

(IF
ccq_001 =
1)
Card you use
most often to
make
payments

(IF
ccq_001 =
2)
Card you use
2nd most
often
(IF
ccq_001 =
3)
Card you use
3rd most
often
(IF
ccq_001 =
4)

(ccq_002_a)
[dropdown
list]
1. Visa
2. MasterCard
3. Discover
4. Company or
store
branded
credit cards
5. American
Express
charge card
6. American
Express
credit card
7. Diners Club
or other
charge cards
8. Other
(ccq_002_b)

(ccq_003_a)
1. Yes
2. No

Did this card
have an unpaid
balance that you
carried over
from last
month?
(ccq_004_a)
1. Yes
2. No

Does this card
have a security
chip?

Give this card a
nickname.

(ccq_005_a)
1. Yes
2. No

(ccq_006_a)
[open ended
text box]

(ccq_003_b)

(ccq_004_b)

(ccq_005_b)

(ccq_006_b)

(ccq_002_c)

(ccq_003_c)

(ccq_004_c)

(ccq_005_c)

(ccq_006_c)

(ccq_002_d)

(ccq_003_d)

(ccq_004_d)

(ccq_005_d)

(ccq_006_d)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

6

Version: December 5, 2019
Card you use
4th most often
(IF
(ccq_002_e)
ccq_001 =
5 or 6)
Card you use
5th most often
ENDIF

(ccq_003_e)

(ccq_004_e)

(ccq_005_e)

(ccq_006_e)

## IF ccadopter = 1 OR dcpc_ccadopter = 1 THEN

IF dcadopter = 1 OR dcpc_dcadopter = 1 THEN
(dcq_001)
Think about all your debit cards.
During the period between [DISPLAY DIARY DAY 1 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] to
[DISPLAY DIARY DAY 3 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], how many different debit
cards do you expect to use to make payments?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1
2
3
4
5
More than 5

## New screen
Please tell us about each debit card you typically use to make payments.


We will use the nickname to refer back to this card during your diary period. The
nickname can be something like “blue card” or “kitten picture”.

IF dcq_001 = 6 then show instruction:
You told us that you have more than five debit cards that you use in a typical month. We are
only going to ask you about the five you use most often.
## Number of rows equals number selected above.
Logo on debit card?
Does this card
give rewards?

(IF
dcq_001 =
1)

(dcq_002_a)
[dropdown
list]

(dcq_003_a)
1. Yes
2. No

IF
dcpc_pa001_a
>= 2 THEN
To which account
does this card
belong?
(dcq_005_a)
1. Primary account

Give this card a
nickname.

(dcq_004_a)
[open ended
text box]

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

7

Version: December 5, 2019
Card you use
most often to
make
payments
(IF
dcq_001 =
2)
Card you use
2nd most
often
(IF
dcq_001 =
3)
Card you use
3rd most
often
(IF
dcq_001 =
4)
Card you use
4th most often
(IF
dcq_001 =
5 or 6)
Card you use
5th most often

ENDIF

1. Visa
2. MasterCard
3. No logo

2. Another
account

(dcq_002_b)

(dcq_003_b)

(dcq_005_b)

(dcq_004_b)

(dcq_002_c)

(dcq_003_c)

(dcq_005_c)

(dcq_004_c)

(dcq_002_d)

(dcq_003_d)

(dcq_005_d)

(dcq_004_d)

(dcq_002_e)

(dcq_003_e)

(dcq_005_e)

(dcq_004_e)

## IF ccadopter = 1 OR dcpc_ccadopter = 1 THEN

4) Balances – Beginning of diary cash and account balances
a) Balance – Count your cash
(q1)
It is important that we know how much cash you started this diary period with.



Do not count foreign currency.
Do not count coins.

At the end of the day on [DISPLAY DIARY DAY 0 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] do you have
any paper cash in your wallet, purse and/or pocket?
1. Yes
2. No
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

8

Version: December 5, 2019

If q1 = NO then:
(q1a)
Please tell us why you don’t have any paper cash.
1. I just ran out and I need to get more.
2. I am broke
3. I usually do not carry cash.
4. I gave my cash to someone else, such as a family member/friend/housemate.
5. My cash was stolen or lost.
6. Other (specify)
5other. ______________
If q1 = YES then show the following screen:

Cash in wallet, purse and/or pocket
Please tell us the number of bills of each denomination in your wallet, purse and/or pocket at the end of the

day on [DISPLAY DIARY DAY 0 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
Your total dollar amount will be automatically calculated.
● Do not consider coins.
● Do not include foreign currencies.
NUMBER OF:
____ x $1 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $20 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $2 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $50 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $5 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $100 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $10 bills = $[calculated on the fly]
Total dollar amount $[GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT, calculated on the fly]

## Variable names for the items above:
denom1_num (the number of bills), denom1_amnt (the dollar amount)
denom2_num, denom2_amnt
denom5_num, denom5_amnt
denom10_num, denom10_amnt
denom20_num, denom20_amnt
denom50_num, denom50_amnt
denom100_num, denom100_amnt
amntcashend
(q1b)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

9

Version: December 5, 2019
You told us you have $[GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT] in cash in your wallet, purse and/or pocket.
Is this amount correct?
1. Yes
2. No
****If q1b = NO, please take the diarist back to the “Count your paper cash” screen so they can
correct their numbers***

## The name of the variable for GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT should be “amntcashend_day0”. If the
respondent does not have any cash at the start of Day 0, then amntcashend_day0 = 0. If q1 = NO then
amntcashend_day0 should be set to 0, not missing
(scpc_pa015_b)
Do you have any cash stored elsewhere in your home, car, office, etc.?
 Do not include cash owned by other members of your household.
1. Yes
2. No
IF scpc_pa015_b = YES then

Cash stored elsewhere
Please tell us the number of bills of each denomination stored elsewhere in your home, car, office, etc., on

[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
Your total dollar amount will be automatically calculated.
● Do not consider coins.
● Do not include foreign currencies.
NUMBER OF:
____ x $1 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $20 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $2 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $50 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $5 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $100 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $10 bills = $[calculated on the fly]
Total dollar amount $[GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT, calculated on the fly]

## Variable names for the items above:
storedcash1_num, storedcash1_amnt
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

10

Version: December 5, 2019
storedcash2_num, storedcash2_amnt
storedcash5_num, storedcash5_amnt
storedcash10_num, storedcash10_amnt
storedcash20_num, storedcash20_amnt
storedcash50_num, storedcash50_amnt
storedcash100_num, storedcash100_amnt
storedcash_total_amnt
## ERROR Check
If every cell in “Count your paper cash stored elsewhere” is left
blank, then show the following screen:
(storedcash_estimate_amnt)
It is important for us to know how much cash you have stored elsewhere in your home, car, office, etc.
Please give us an estimate of how much cash you have stored elsewhere in your home, car, office, etc.
$_____________
(q1_storedcashcorrect)
You told us you have $[GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OR storedcash_estimate_amnt] in cash stored
elsewhere in your home, car, office, etc. Is this amount correct?
1. Yes
2. No ## If they select NO, take them back to the “Cash stored elsewhere” screen

b) Balance – Checking account
## Now we will ask about checking account balances on every diary day!
## New screen
IF dcpc_pa001_a = 1 THEN
Please tell us the balance of your checking account as of [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”].



Round to the nearest dollar
Please report the total balance of the checking account, even if jointly owned

(pa072_a)
Balance of checking account $_______________ .00
(pa072_a_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your checking account on [DAY 0 DATE].
[clock widget]
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

11

Version: December 5, 2019
ELSE IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 THEN
Please tell us the balance of your primary checking account as of [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE,
example “Wednesday, October 3”].




Round to the nearest dollar
Please report the total balance of the checking account, even if jointly owned
Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.

(pa072_a)
Balance of primary account $_______________.00
(pa072_a_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your primary checking account on [DAY 0
DATE].
[clock widget]
IF pa072_a > 10000 THEN
(pa072_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your checking account balance is unusually large.
You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of pa072_a, formatted with dollar sign and
commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate,
select “No” below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with pa072_a
END IF (pa072_a > 10000)
ENDIF (dcpc_pa001_a)

c) Balance – General Purpose Prepaid cards
IF dcpc_gpradopter = YES (“1”) THEN
(gpr_bal)
Please tell us the balance of your primary general purpose reloadable (GPR) prepaid card as of
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

12

Version: December 5, 2019



Your primary GPR prepaid card is the one you use most often to make payments with
a GPR card, not necessarily the GPR card with the most money in it.
Round to the nearest dollar.

What is the balance of your primary GPR prepaid card?
$_____________.00
(gpr_bal_time)
Please tell us the time you checked this balance.
[clock widget]
(gpr_bal_date)
Please tell us the date you checked this balance.
[calendar widget]
IF gpr_bal > 1000 THEN
(gpr_bal_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for the balance of your primary GPR prepaid card is
unusually large. You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of gpr_bal, formatted with
dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate,
select “No” below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with gpr_bal
END IF (gpr_bal > 1000)

ENDIF

(dcpc_gpradopter = YES)

d) Balance – PayPal account
IF dcpc_paypaladopter = 1 THEN
(paypal_balday)
Please tell us the balance of your primary PayPal account as of [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE,
example “Wednesday, October 3”].

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

13

Version: December 5, 2019




If you have more than one PayPal account, your primary account is the one that you
use most often to make payments, not necessarily the account with the most money
in it.
Round to the nearest dollar.

What is the balance of your primary PayPal account?
$_____________.00
(paypal_balday_time)
Please tell us the time you checked this balance.
[clock widget]
(paypal_balday_date)
Please tell us the date you checked this balance.
[calendar widget]

END IF (dcpc_paypaladopter = 1)

5) Income and employment status
(q14)
Now we would like to ask you a few questions about your employment and income.
What is your labor force status?


Please choose all that apply.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Currently working
On sick or other leave
Unemployed - on layoff
Unemployed - looking
Retired
Disabled
Other (specify)
a. [open ended text box]

## new screen -- q15
If q14 = “Currently working” is selected then
(q15)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

14

Version: December 5, 2019

Are you employed by government, by a private company, a nonprofit organization, or are you
self-employed?
1. Government
2. Private-for-profit company
3. Non-profit organization including tax exempt and charitable organizations
4. Self-employed
End skip (q14 = working now)
## New screen
(q140)
Do you receive any of the following types of income?
 Please tell us only about income you receive, not income of a spouse, partner, or other household
member.
Yes

No

(q140_a)
Employment income (wages, salary, bonuses)
(q140_c)
Self-employment income
(q140_d)
Social Security
(q140_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(q140_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement fund
(q140_e)
Interest and dividends
(q140_f)
Rental income
(q140_g)
Government assistance (disability, unemployment, SNAP,
TANF, WIC)
(q140_h)
Alimony
(q140_i)
Child support

## New screen
IF any of q140_a – q140_j = YES then
## only display rows where q140 = YES
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

15

Version: December 5, 2019
(q141)
Please tell us how often you receive income.

(IF q140_a = YES)
(q141_a)
Employment income (wages, salary,
bonuses)
(IF q140_c = YES)
(q141_c)
Self-employment income
(IF q140_d = YES)
(q141_d)
Social Security
(IF q140_b = YES)
(q141_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(IF q140_j = YES)
(q141_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement
fund
(IF q140_e = YES)
(q141_e)
Interest and dividends
(IF q140_f = YES)
(q141_f)
Rental income
(IF q140_g = YES)
(q141_g)
Government assistance (disability,
unemployment, SNAP, TANF, WIC)
(IF q140_h = YES)
(q141_h)
Alimony
(IF q140_i = YES)
(q141_i)
Child support

How often you receive income?
## Show this dropdown in each row that is
displayed in the table.
Drop-down:
--Select one-1. Weekly
2. Every two weeks
3. Twice per month
4. Monthly
5. Quarterly
6. Yearly
7. Other, on a one-time basis
8. Other, on a regular basis
9. Other, on an irregular basis
## Variable ID’s for this column:
q141_a_freq
q141_c_freq
q141_d_freq
q141_b_freq
q141_j_freq
q141_e_freq
q141_f_freq
q141_g_freq
q141_h_freq
q141_i_freq

## BEGIN new Day 0 income questions
## New screen
IF any of q140_a – q140_j = YES then
## only display rows where q140 = YES
(q142)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

16

Version: December 5, 2019

Did you receive any income from the following sources on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”]?
Yes

No

(IF q140_a = YES)
(q142_a)
Employment income (wages, salary, bonuses)
(IF q140_c = YES)
(q142_c)
Self-employment income
(IF q140_d = YES)
(q142_d)
Social Security
(IF q140_b = YES)
(q142_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(IF q140_j = YES)
(q142_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement fund
(IF q140_e = YES)
(q142_e)
Interest and dividends
(IF q140_f = YES)
(q142_f)
Rental income
(IF q140_g = YES)
(q142_g)
Government assistance (disability, unemployment, SNAP, TANF, WIC)
(IF q140_h = YES)
(q142_h)
Alimony
(IF q140_i = YES)
(q142_i)
Child support

## New screen
IF any of q142_a – q142_j = YES then
## only display rows where q142 = YES

(q144)
How much net income (also called after-tax income) did you receive and how did you receive the
income on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

17

Version: December 5, 2019

In other words, tell us the amount deposited into one of your accounts, or the amount of cash or a
check you received.



Report NET amount of income received, after all taxes and other deductions.
Include multiple payments from the same source.

Source
(IF q142_a = YES)
(q144_a)
Employment (wages, salary, bonuses)
(IF q142_c = YES)
(q144_c)
Self-employment income
(IF q142_d = YES)
(q144_d)
Social Security
(IF q142_b = YES)
(q144_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(IF q142_j = YES)
(q144_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement
fund
(IF q142_e = YES)
(q144_e)
Interest and dividends
(IF q142_f = YES)
(q144_f)
Rental income
(IF q142_g = YES)
(q144_g)
Government assistance (disability,
unemployment, SNAP, TANF, WIC)
(IF q142_h = YES)
(q144_h)
Alimony
(IF q142_i = YES)
(q144_i)
Child support

Amount
(q144_a)
$_________
(q144_c)
$_________
(q144_d)
$_________
(q144_b)
$_________
(q144_j)
$_________
(q144_e)
$_________
(q144_f)
$_________
(q144_g)
$_________
(q144_h)
$_________

(q144_i)
$_________

How did you receive your income?
## Show the drop down list for each
row that is displayed.
[Drop down list]
--Select one—
1. Direct deposit ONLY to primary
checking account
2. Direct deposit ONLY to some
other checking or savings
account
3. Direct deposit to more than
one account
4. Paper check
5. Cash
6. Payroll card
7. Primary general purpose
reloadable prepaid card
8. Other general purpose
reloadable prepaid card
9. Other
## Variable names for “How did you
receive your income?”
q143_a
q143_c
q143_d
q143_b
q143_j
q143_e
q143_f
q143_g
q143_h
q143_i

IF q144_a > 4400 THEN
(q144_a_followup)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

18

Version: December 5, 2019
The dollar amount you reported for your employment income is unusually large. You reported
an amount of [FILL: value of q144_a, formatted with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with q144_a
END IF (q144_a > 4400)
IF q144_c > 3500 THEN
(q144_c_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your self-employment income is unusually large. You
reported an amount of $[FILL: value of q144_c, formatted with dollar sign and commas as
necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with q144_c
END IF (q144_c > 3500)
IF q144_d > 2300 THEN
(q144_d_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your Social Security income is unusually large. You reported
an amount of $[FILL: value of q144_c, formatted with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with q144_d
END IF (q144_d > 2300)
## new screen
IF Any row has q143 = 3 THEN DISPLAY SCREEN
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

19

Version: December 5, 2019
(q147)
You told us that some income was deposited into more than one account for these income
categories.
How much was deposited to your primary checking account?


If none, enter 0.

## error check – do not let the respondent enter a number greater than the response for
q144. IF ERROR, show text “Enter a number between 0 and [answer for q144]”
Source
(IF q143_a = 3)
(q144_a)
Employment (wages, salary, bonuses)
(IF q143_c = 3)
(q144_c)
Self-employment income
(IF q143_d = 3)
(q144_d)
Social Security
(IF q143_b = 3)
(q144_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(IF q143_j = 3)
(q144_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement fund
(IF q143_e = 3)
(q144_e)
Interest and dividends
(IF q143_f = 3)
(q144_f)
Rental income
(IF q143_g = 3)
(q144_g)
Government assistance (disability, unemployment, SNAP, TANF, WIC)
(IF q143_h = 3)
(q144_h)
Alimony
(IF q143_i = 3)
(q144_i)
Child support

Amount
(q147_a)
$_________
(q147_c)
$_________
(q147_d)
$_________
(q147_b)
$_________
(q147_j)
$_________
(q147_e)
$_________
(q147_f)
$_________
(q147_g)
$_________
(q147_h)
$_________
(q147_i)
$_________

End IF (Any row has q143 = 3)
## new screen
(q18)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

20

Version: December 5, 2019
Prior to today, please tell us the date of the [FILL: if all of q142 = NO then “last”, if any of q142 = YES
then “previous”] time you received some form of income.


Click the arrows to scroll through additional months.
****Calendar goes here, do not allow them to select a day AFTER the Diary Day’s
date****

## END new Day 0 income questions

6) Preferences, characteristics and expectations.
## New screen – bill payments section
(q115_b)
Bill payment preferences
Please tell us the payment method you most prefer to use for making bill payments.
1. Cash
2. Check
3. Credit card
4. Debit card
5. Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
6. Bank account number payment
7. Online banking bill payment
8. Money order
9. PayPal
10. Account-to-account transfer
11. Mobile phone payment
12. Other payment method
## New screen -- Q116_b and Q117_b on the same page****
(q116_b)
Bill payment preferences
Please tell us the most important characteristic of [FILL: insert response to q115_b, in bold]
when making a bill payment.
## use these fills for for q117_b, q118_b, q116_a, q117_a, q118_a, q116_c.
“cash”
“a check”
“a credit card”
“a debit card”
“a prepaid/gift/EBT card”
“a bank account number payment”
“an online banking bill payment”
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

21

Version: December 5, 2019
“a money order”
“PayPal”
“an account-to-account transfer”
“a mobile phone payment”
“another payment method”
## Randomize this list of response options and keep the same randomization for q116_a and
q116_c and q118_a and q118_b
1. Security
2. Accepted at lots of places
3. Cost
4. Convenience
5. Budget control
6. [IF q115_b = “credit card” or “debit card” then display]Rewards
7. Speed
8. Payment records
9. Getting and setting-up
10. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
IF q116_b = 7 (“Speed”)
(q114_b1)
Which aspect of speed is most important when choosing to use [FILL: insert response to
q115_b, in bold] to make a bill payment?
***Randomize response options****
1. Speed at time of payment
2. Speed of payment deduction from your bank account or prepaid card
3. Speed of recipient receiving payment
4. Speed of notification of new balance of your account
ELSE IF q116_b = 1 (“Security”)
(q113_b1)
Which aspect of security is most important when choosing to use [FILL: insert response
to q115_b, in bold] to make a bill payment?
***Randomize response options****
1. Security of your personal information (name, address, Social Security number,
birthdate, etc.)
2. Security against permanent financial loss
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

22

Version: December 5, 2019
3. Security of information about the transaction (what was paid for, amount, where you
shopped)
END IF
(q117_b)
In cases where you can’t use [insert response to q115_b, in bold] to make a bill payment, what
is your preferred fallback payment method?
****delete response to q115_b from the list below****
1. Cash
2. Check
3. Credit card
4. Debit card
5. Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
6. Bank account number payment
7. Online banking bill payment
8. Money order
9. PayPal
10. Account-to-account transfer
11. Mobile phone payment
12. Other payment method
## New screen
(q118_b)
Bill payment preferences
Please tell us the most important characteristic of [insert response to q117_b, in bold] when
making a bill payment.
## use these fills for for q117_b, q118_b, q116_a, q117_a, q118_a, q116_c.
“cash”
“a check”
“a credit card”
“a debit card”
“a prepaid/gift/EBT card”
“a bank account number payment”
“an online banking bill payment”
“a money order”
“a mobile phone payment”
“another payment method”
## Use same randomization as q116_b
1. Security
2. Accepted at lots of places
3. Cost
4. Convenience
5. Budget control
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

23

Version: December 5, 2019
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[IF q117_b = “credit card” or “debit card” then display]Rewards
Speed
Payment records
Getting and setting-up
Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]

IF q118_b = 7 (“Speed”)
(q114_b2)
Which aspect of speed is most important when choosing to use [insert response to
q117_b, in bold] to make a bill payment?
***Randomize response options****
1. Speed at time of payment
2. Speed of payment deduction from your bank account or prepaid card
3. Speed of recipient receiving payment
4. Speed of notification of new balance of your account
ELSE IF q118_b = 1 (“Security”)
(q113_b2)
Which aspect of security is most important when choosing to use [insert response to
q117_b, in bold] to make a bill payment?
***Randomize response options****
1. Security of your personal information (name, address, Social Security number,
birthdate, etc.)
2. Security against permanent financial loss
3. Security of information about the transaction (what was paid for, amount, where you
shopped)
END IF
## New screen – in person payments section
(q115_a)
Purchases and other non-bill payments preferences
Please tell us the payment method you most prefer to use for making purchases and other
nonbill payments.
1. Cash
2. Check
3. Credit card
4. Debit card
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

24

Version: December 5, 2019
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
Bank account number payment
Online banking bill payment
Money order
PayPal
Account-to-account transfer
Mobile phone payment
Other payment method

## New screen -- Q116_a and Q117_a on the same page****
(q116_a)
Purchases and other non-bill payments preferences
Please tell us the most important characteristic of [insert response to q115_a, in bold] when
making purchases and other nonbill payments.
## Use same randomization as q116_b
1. Security
2. Accepted at lots of places
3. Cost
4. Convenience
5. Budget control
6. [IF q115_a = “credit card” or “debit card” then display]Rewards
7. Speed
8. Payment records
9. Getting and setting-up
10. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
IF q116_a = 7 (“Speed”)
(q114_a1)
Which aspect of speed is most important when choosing to use [insert response to
q115_a, in bold] when making purchases and other nonbill payments?
***Randomize response options****
1. Speed at time of payment
2. Speed of payment deduction from your bank account or prepaid card
3. Speed of recipient receiving payment
4. Speed of notification of new balance of your account
ELSE IF q116_a = 1 (“Security”)
(q113_a1)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

25

Version: December 5, 2019
Which aspect of security is most important when choosing to use [insert response to
q115_a, in bold] when making purchases and other nonbill payments?
***Randomize response options****
1. Security of your personal information (name, address, Social Security number,
birthdate, etc.)
2. Security against permanent financial loss
3. Security of information about the transaction (what was paid for, amount, where you
shopped)
END IF

(q117_a)
In cases where you can’t use [insert response to q115_a, in bold] when making purchases and
other nonbill payments, what is your preferred fallback payment method?
****delete response to q115_a from the list below****
1. Cash
2. Check
3. Credit card
4. Debit card
5. Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
6. Bank account number payment
7. Online banking bill payment
8. Money order
9. PayPal
10. Account-to-account transfer
11. Mobile phone payment
12. Other payment method
## New screen
(q118_a)
Purchases and other non-bill payments preferences
Please tell us the most important characteristic of [insert response to q117_a, in bold] when
making purchases and other nonbill payments.
## Use same randomization as q116_b
1. Security
2. Accepted at lots of places
3. Cost
4. Convenience
5. Budget control
6. [IF q117_a = “credit card” or “debit card” then display]Rewards
7. Speed
8. Payment records
9. Getting and setting-up
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

26

Version: December 5, 2019
10. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
IF q118_a = 7 (“Speed”)
(q114_a2)
Which aspect of speed is most important when choosing to use [insert response to
q117_a, in bold] when making purchases and other nonbill payments?
***Randomize response options****
1. Speed at time of payment
2. Speed of payment deduction from your bank account or prepaid card
3. Speed of recipient receiving payment
4. Speed of notification of new balance of your account
ELSE IF q118_a = 1 (“Security”)
(q113_a2)
Which aspect of security is most important when choosing to use [insert response to
q117_a, in bold] when making purchases and other nonbill payments?
***Randomize response options****
1. Security of your personal information (name, address, Social Security number,
birthdate, etc.)
2. Security against permanent financial loss
3. Security of information about the transaction (what was paid for, amount, where you
shopped)
END IF
## New screen
(q160)
In-person purchases preferences
Please tell us the payment method you most prefer to use for making in-person purchases,
depending on dollar value.

(q160_a)
Less than $10
(q160_b)
Between $10 and less than $25
(q160_c)
Between $25 and less than $50

Payment method
[Drop down list for each row of table]
--Select one--1. Cash
2. Check
3. Credit card

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

27

Version: December 5, 2019
(q160_d)
Between $50 and less than $100
(q160_e)
$100 or more

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Debit card
Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
Bank account number payment
Online banking bill payment
Money order
PayPal
Account-to-account transfer
Mobile phone payment
Other payment method

## Variable names:
q160_pm_a
q160_pm_b
q160_pm_c
q160_pm_d
q160_pm_e
## New screen
(q115_c_filter)
In the past 12 months, have you made any online purchases (on the internet) to buy goods and
services (not to pay bills). Examples include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, etc.
1. Yes
2. No
IF q115_c_filter = YES then
## New screen – online payments section
(q115_c)
Online purchases preferences
Please tell us the payment method you most prefer to use for making online purchases
(on the Internet) to buy goods and services (not to pay bills). Examples include
Amazon.com, Walmart.com, etc.
1. Cash
2. Check
3. Credit card
4. Debit card
5. Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
6. Bank account number payment
7. Online banking bill payment
8. Money order
9. PayPal
10. Account-to-account transfer
11. Mobile phone payment
12. Other payment method
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

28

Version: December 5, 2019
## New screen
(q116_c)
Online purchases preferences
Please tell us the most important characteristic of [insert response to q115_c, in bold]
when making online purchases (on the Internet) to buy goods and services (not to pay
bills). Examples include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, etc.
## Use same randomization as q116_b
1. Security
2. Accepted at lots of places
3. Cost
4. Convenience
5. Budget control
6. [IF q115_c = “credit card” or “debit card” then display]Rewards
7. Speed
8. Payment records
9. Getting and setting-up
10. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
IF q116_c = 7 (“Speed”)
(q114_c1)
Which aspect of speed is most important when choosing to use [insert response
to q115_c, in bold] to make online purchases?
***Randomize response options****
1. Speed at time of payment
2. Speed of payment deduction from your bank account or prepaid card
3. Speed of recipient receiving payment
4. Speed of notification of new balance of your account
ELSE IF q116_c = 1 (“Security”)
(q113_c1)
Which aspect of security is most important when choosing to use [insert
response to q115_c, in bold] to make online purchases?
***Randomize response options****
1. Security of your personal information (name, address, Social Security number,
birthdate, etc.)
2. Security against permanent financial loss
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

29

Version: December 5, 2019
3. Security of information about the transaction (what was paid for, amount,
where you shopped)
END IF
END IF (q115_c_filter = YES)
IF any of q160_pm_a—q160_pm_e = “Mobile phone payment” OR q115_a =
“Mobile phone payment” or q115_b = “Mobile phone payment” or q115_c =
“Mobile phone payment” THEN
(q161)
What payment method is your mobile phone payment funded with?
1. Credit card
2. Debit card
3. Prepaid card
4. Linked bank account
5. Money stored at a payment services such as PayPal
6. Other (specify)
a. [open ended text box]
ENDIF

7) End of Day 0 thank you text
Thank you for answering our questions. Please log on tomorrow to enter your purchases or cash
activity, even if you have no activity tomorrow.
To get ready to enter your payment information tomorrow, [Day 1], please read the diary
instructions and watch the video (if you haven’t already).

8) Daily intro text/welcome back
IF diaryday = 1 THEN
Welcome to Day 1 of the 2018 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice. Thank you for
agreeing to tell us about your payments and cash activity.
ELSE IF diaryday > 1 THEN
Welcome back! Thank you for telling us about your payments and cash activity.
END IF
ALL diary days:
We understand that not everybody makes payments or has cash activity each day. We
are interested in all types of payment behavior, including days with zero payments or
cash activity. Please enter your information for today’s diary day.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

30

Version: December 5, 2019

Remember to include each transaction that you make. Only include a transaction once.
Do not enter transaction information twice.
Do not include transactions made in foreign currencies or while traveling in foreign
countries.

9) Purchases module
(q199)
Your [FILL:IF Diary Day = 1 THEN “first”/ IF Diary Day = 2 THEN “second”/ IF Diary Day = 3 THEN “third”]
diary day is [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]. Are you recording and
reporting your payments and transactions for your assigned date, or are you reporting for a different
date?
 For example, you were assigned October 3-5 but instead when you reported your payments for
Day 3 you reported for October 6.
1. Yes, I am reporting for my assigned diary date, [DAY 1 DATE].
2. No, I am reporting for another date.
IF q199 = NO then
Please explain why you participated on another day.
[open ended text box]

Tell us the date you are reporting for
[smaller calendar widget]
ENDIF
(q98)
Did you make any payments on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example: Wednesday, October 3]?
1. Yes
2. No
If q98 = NO then:
***ask Q98a for each day the respondent says they have no
purchases***
(q98a)
It’s OK if you didn’t make any payments today.
Please tell us the reason that best describes why you didn’t make any payments on [DISPLAY
DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

31

Version: December 5, 2019
1.
2.
3.
4.

I didn’t need to make any payments today.
I was too busy to make payments today.
I’m trying to spend less.
Other (specify)
4other. _____________

ENDIF
If q98 = YES then:
(q2)
Daily payments – Please enter the information for [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”].
****make these instructions bulletpointed and italicized****
 Report the exact amount of the payment. Include dollars and cents in the form xxx.xx.
 Do not include payments made ONLY for business purposes.
 Include all other payments made today, no matter how small the amount of the
payment.
 Complete the entire row for the first payment you want to enter for today, then click
Next.
 Answer some additional questions about your payment, then answer “Yes” if you made
any additional payments, and a new row will appear on this screen.
 When you have finished entering all payments for today, please answer “No” when we
ask if you made any additional payments.

Time

Amount
spent

Payment method

[use time
entry
widget]

$_____

Drop down list:
P0 – Multiple payment
methods
P1 – Cash
P2 – Check
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Prepaid/Gift/EBT
card
P6 – Bank account
number payment
P7 – Online banking bill
payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal

Did you
pay in
person?
Yes
No

Device

Who you
paid

Drop down list:
D1 – Computer
(laptop or
desktop)
D2 – Tablet
(e.g. iPad,
Kindle)
D3 – Mobile
phone
D4 – Landline
phone
D5 – Mail or
delivery service
D8 – E-ZPass or
other electronic
toll device

## this text
is always
here
We’ll ask
about who
you paid on
the next
screen

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

32

Version: December 5, 2019
P11 – Account-toaccount transfer
P12 – Mobile phone
payment
P13 – Other payment
method
P14 – Direct deduction
from income

D6 – Some
other device
not listed
D7 – No device

# P9 is reserved for Travelers Check, which we no longer ask about as of 2018.
## Create a variable amntcashpurch = Sum(Amount spent where payment method = 1).
In other words, the total amount of cash spent on that day. If there are no cash
payments on that day, then amntcashpurch = 0.
## Create a variable numcashpurch = Number of cash payments on that day. If there are
no cash payments on that day, then numcashpurch = 0.
## if we use three boxes to enter the time, name the variables:
 paytime_h_N, where N is the number of the payment (1 = first payment of the
day, 2 = second, etc.)
 paytime_m_N
 paytime_ampm_N
## Amount spent variable should be called:
 payamnt_N, where N is the number of the payment (1 = first payment of the
day, 2 = second, etc.)
## Payment method variable names:
 paymethod_N, where N is the number of the payment (1 = first payment of the
day, 2 = second, etc.)
## Payment location variable names:
 paylocation_N, where N is the number of the payment (1 = first payment of the
day, 2 = second, etc.)
## Payment device variable names:
 paydevice_N, where N is the number of the payment (1 = first payment of the
day, 2 = second, etc.)
## Is this payment from the payment section or the bills section?
 from_bill_section_N = 0
 This variable is set to zero when the transaction is reported through this
payment section. If it is reported in the bills section, the variable then
from_bill_section = 1.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

33

Version: December 5, 2019
## New screen
## Error Check for large dollar amounts
IF payamnt_N >= 1000 THEN
(pay003_largedollar_N)
The dollar amount you reported is unusually large. You reported an amount of
[FILL: payamnt_N, formatted with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount.
If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No” below and enter the correct amount on the
following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1—Yes
2—No

## If they select NO, take them back to the payment entry screen

END IF (payamnt_N >= 1000)
## NEW screen
## “Super” merchant categories screen, a.k.a. the Super MCAT screen

## The merchant follow-up questions will have new skip pattern conditions based on the new
categories.
(pay001_N)
Please tell us who you paid.
## Column 1 = Bold headings that divide the sections of column 2
## Column 2 = radio buttons with response option text
## Column 3 = info text for question mark icons
Column 1
Column 2
Financial services provider
 15 - Mortgage companies, credit
card companies, banks,
insurance companies, stock
brokers, IRA funds, mutual
funds, credit unions, sending
remittances
Education provider



20 - Schools, colleges, childcare
centers

Info button text
## No info text



Tuition, fees,
activities

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

34

Version: December 5, 2019
Medical care provider



18 - Hospital, doctor, dentist,
nursing homes, etc.



Government




19 - Government taxes or fees
21 – Public transportation and
tolls





Nonprofit/charity/religious



17 - Charitable or religious
donations

A person (not a business,
government, or
organization as far as I
know)



Retail store or online
retailer; restaurants and
gas stations



16 - Can be a gift or repayment
to a family member, friend, or
co-worker. Can be a payment to
somebody who did a small job
for you.
1 - Grocery stores, convenience
stores without gas stations,
pharmacies
2 - Gas stations
3 - Sit-down restaurants and
bars
4 - Fast food restaurants, coffee
shops, cafeterias, food trucks
5 - General merchandise stores,
department stores, other stores,
online shopping















Medical or dental
care, nursing
homes, assisted
living, physical
therapists, etc.
Include utilities
paid to the
government, loan
or mortgage
repayments paid to
the government,
fines, licenses
Includes toll roads,
mail delivery and
storage
Donations to
charitable
organizations, or
to churches,
synagogues,
mosques or other
places of worship.
Examples: United
Way, American
Cancer Society
## No info text

Includes
supermarkets,
wine or liquor
stores, drug stores
Gas stations with
or without
convenience stores
At sit-down
restaurants, you
order and are
served while
seated, and pay
after eating
At these kinds of
eating

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

35

Version: December 5, 2019



Business that sells
primarily services












14 - Rent for apartments,
homes, or other buildings, real
estate companies, property
managers, etc.
10 - Telephone, internet, cable
or satellite tv, video or music
streaming services, movie
theaters
8 - Utilities not paid to the
government: electricity, natural
gas, water, sewer, trash, heating
oil
11 - Building contractors,
plumbers, electricians, HVAC,
etc.
13 - Hotels, motels, RV parks,
campsites
9 - Taxis, airplanes, delivery
6 - General services: hair
dressers, auto repair, parking
lots, laundry or dry cleaning, etc.











establishments,
you order or select
your food and pay
before eating
Includes online
shopping such as
Amazon.com,
clothing or shoe
stores, hardware
stores such as
Home Depot or
Lowes, large stores
like Walmart or
Target, wholesale
clubs like Sam’s or
Costco, vending
machines, book
stores, pet stores,
auto vehicle and
parts stores,
furniture and home
goods stores,
nursery or garden
stores
Also includes car
rental agencies,
auto leasing, rental
centers. Do not
include mortgage
payments.
Including video
games, apps,
online and print
news, cell and
landline phones
## No info text for
8-Utilities
Includes
handyman, tiling
or flooring,
painting, roofing
## No info text for
13-Hotels
Includes nongovernment

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

36

Version: December 5, 2019




12 - Professional services: legal,
accounting, architectural
services; veterinarians;
photographers or photo
processers
7 - Arts, entertainment,
recreation







transportation
services
Includes many
services, such as
pet grooming,
garages
Payments to
lawyers,
accountants,
architects, and
other professionals
Includes museums,
sporting events,
casinos, gym
memberships,
gambling, lottery

## Payment merchant variable names: -- see next section below.
 pay001_N, where N is the number of the payment (1 = first payment of the day,
2 = second, etc.)
 All the variable names listed below in the “Merchant categorization and
consumption module” will have the suffix “_N” where N is the number of the
payment (1 = first payment of the day, 2 = second, etc.)
(pay003_N)
## Error Check
The details of this payment are listed below. If anything looks off, please let us know.
***display payment details***







Time
Amount spent
Payment method
Did you pay in person?
Device
Type of merchant, service provider or person you paid

Is everything correct?
1. Yes
2. No

## IF NO, loop back to payment entry screen

## New variable payamnt_erramnt_N
## Set payamnt_erramnt_N = payamnt_N
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

37

Version: December 5, 2019
****If the response to pay003_N is NO, then display a new screen
with the payments entry correction page. If YES, display a new
payments entry page for the next payment
PROGRAMMER: If the above instruction is not clear, please ask Kevin
for more information
****

a) Merchant categorization and consumption module
## new screen – this first follow up question pay002_N is
asked for almost all payments (exception = pay001_N = “Retail
store or online retailer, restaurants and gas stations”)
IF pay001_N in [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] THEN
pay002_N = 2
ELSE IF pay001_N > 5 (in other words: not missing and pay001_N does
not equal “Grocery stores, …”, “Gas stations”, “Sit-down restaurants and bars”, “Fast food
restaurants, coffee shops, …”, General merchandise stores, …”) THEN:
IF from_bill_section_N = 1 THEN
pay002_N = 1
ELSE
(pay002_N)
Is this payment a bill payment?
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (from_bill_section_N = 1)
IF pay002_N = YES (bill payment) THEN
## NEW Screen – pay200_N and pay002_autom_N on same screen
(pay002_autom_N)
An automatic bill payment is a payment set up to occur on pre-scheduled basis. Once
set up, they do not require any additional effort on the consumer’s part.
Was this bill payment automatic?
1. Yes
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

38

Version: December 5, 2019
2. No
(pay200_N)
How often is this bill due?
1. Just once
2. Less often than once a month
3. Monthly
4. More often than once a month
END IF (pay002_N = YES)
IF pay200_N = 2 or pay200_N = 4 THEN
(pay002c_N)
About how many times per year do you pay this bill?
__________ times per year
ENDIF (pay200_N = 2 or pay200_N = 4)
IF pay002_N = YES THEN
(pay002d_N)
Was this bill payment for goods or services that were received previously or for goods
and services that you will receive in the future?




An example of a good or services which was received previously is medical care
(you receive medical care and then pay after).
Credit card bills and loan payments are for goods and services that were
received previously.
An example of a good or services which will be received in the future is a
magazine subscription (you pay now and receive the newspaper after payment).

1. Previously received goods or services (including credit card bills and other
loan payments)
2. Goods or services to be received in the future
END IF (pay002_N = 1)
IF pay002_N = YES AND pay200_N > 1 THEN
(pay002e_N)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

39

Version: December 5, 2019
Do you pay the same amount each time you pay this bill, or does the payment
amount change from bill to bill?
1. Same amount each bill
2. Amount changes from bill to bill
END IF (pay002_N = YES AND pay200_N > 1)
IF pay002_N = YES THEN
(pay203_N)
What day is this bill payment due?
[CALENDAR widget]
IF (from_bill_section_N=0 and pay203_N <= DIARY DATE) or
(from_bill_section_N=1 and pay203_N <= bill_dday_N) THEN
(pay204_N)
For this bill payment, did you pay a late fee?
1-Yes
2-No
END IF (pay002_N = YES)

IF pay002_N = YES and paymethod_N = (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
(pay205_N)
Some bills are paid on the same day they are scheduled; others are paid in the
future. Please tell us the date you selected for the bill to be paid.
[calendar widget]
END IF (pay002_N = YES and paymethod_N = 3,4,5,6,7)
END IF (pay001_N > 5)

If pay001_N = “Payments to banks, credit card bills, mortgage
payments, …”
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

40

Version: December 5, 2019
## new screen – pay010_N
(pay010_N)
Please tell us the purpose of your payment to a financial services provider. Was it
primarily to:
1. Pay a credit card bill
2. Make a loan payment (Examples: mortgage, student loan, auto, home equity,
installment, “zero interest,” “no-money-down”)
3. Pay for insurance (Examples: health, auto, homeowner’s, renter’s, life, umbrella)
4. Make a remittance to a person in a foreign country
5. Pay a fee (Examples: checking account, foreign ATM, overdraft, late payment, loan
origination)
6. Transfer money to another account that you own
7. Make an investment (bought stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
8. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
IF pay010_N = 1 “Pay a credit card bill” THEN
## New screen
(pay019_N)
How much was the full amount due (statement balance) of the credit card bill?


$_____________

# New screen
IF payamnt_N < pay019_N then
(pay019b_N)
Did you have enough money in your checking or savings account to pay the full
amount due (statement balance) of this credit card bill?
1. Yes
2. No
End if (pay019_N < payamnt_N)
# New screen
IF pay019b = YES THEN
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

41

Version: December 5, 2019
(pay019c_N)
Why did you choose not to pay the full amount due (statement balance) for this
credit card bill?
[open ended response box]
ENDIF (pay019b = YES)
END IF (pay010_N = 1 “Pay a credit card bill”)

IF pay010_N = 2 “Make loan payment” THEN
## new screen
(pay011_N)
What kind of loan payment did you make?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Mortgage
Student loan
Auto loan
Home equity loan or home equity line of credit
Installment loan
“Zero interest” or “no money down” loan
Payday loan
Online marketplace or peer-to-peer lender (Examples: Lending Club, Prosper)
Another type of loan

## new screen
## New screen
(pay013_N)
How much was the amount due this period?
$____________
END IF (pay010_N = 2)
IF pay010_N = 3 “Pay for insurance” THEN
## New screen
(pay016_N)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

42

Version: December 5, 2019

What kind of insurance payment did you make?
 1 – Homeowner’s insurance
 2 – Renter’s insurance
 3 – Health insurance
 4 – Vehicle insurance
 5 – Life insurance
 6 – Umbrella insurance
 7 – Other types of insurance
o (Specify) [open ended text box]
ENDIF

ENDIF (pay001_N = “Payments to banks, credit card bills, mortgage
payments, …”)

### Important routing note
Here is where the “trail” of questions ends for “Financial services provider”. Instead of going
back to the payments screen, by way of the screen “Did you make any other purchases today
[Diary date]?” the survey should continue on and ask the Payment Instrument Follow-up
Questions, which begin down below with question q103f. Then after those questions have been
answered, the respondent should see the screen “Did you make any other purchases today
[Diary date]?” This should be the case for all the merchant categories from the payment entry
screen. We always want to see the Payment instrument follow-ups before we get to the next
payment.
If pay001_N = “Tuition, fees, activities, tutoring” THEN
## new screen – pay020_N
(pay020_N)
Please tell us the purpose of your payment to an education provider. Was it primarily for:
1. Tuition or fees
2. Repay student loan
3. Childcare
4. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
END IF (pay001_N = “Tuition, fees, activities, tutoring”)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

43

Version: December 5, 2019
If pay001_N = “Medical or dental care, …” THEN
## new screen
(pay030_N)
Please tell us the purpose of your payment to a medical care provider. Was it primarily
for a:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Doctor, dentist, other health care professional
Hospital, residential care, other medical institution
Pharmacy
Insurance company
Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]

IF pay002d_N = 1 (the bill was paid for services previously
received) OR pay002 = NO (not a bill) then:
(pay032_N)
When did you receive these medical goods or services?
1. Within the last month
2. Between 3 months and 1 month ago
3. Between 1 year and 3 months ago
4. Longer than 1 year ago
End if (pay002d_N = 1 OR pay002 = NO)
ENDIF (pay001_N = “Medical or dental care, …”)

If pay001_N = “Government taxes or fees” THEN
## new screen - pay040_N
(pay040_N)
Please tell us the purpose of your payment to a government. Was it primarily for:
1. Purchases of goods and services (Examples: local utilities and other services (like
trash collection), public transportation, entrance to National Parks, municipal
parking.)
2. Taxes (Examples: Federal, state, local taxes, including property and excise
taxes.)
3. Fines
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

44

Version: December 5, 2019
4. Other (specify)
IF pay040_N = “purchase of goods and services” THEN
(pay041_N)
Please tell us what you paid for.
1. Electricity/ water/sewer
2. Tuition
3. Daycare
4. Parking
5. Tolls
6. Trash collection
7. Public transportation
8. Health insurance: out-of-pocket, including Medicare supplemental insurance
9. Childcare
10. Used goods
11. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
END IF (pay040_N = “purchase of goods and services”)
IF pay040_N = 2 (taxes) then
(pay042_N)
What kind of tax payment did you make to the government?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Federal taxes
State taxes
Local taxes
Property taxes
Car/vehicle taxes
Other kind of payment to the government
o (Specify) [open ended text box]

ENDIF (pay040_N = 2)
END IF (pay001_N = “Government taxes or fees”)
If pay001_N = “Charitable or religious donations”
## new screen – pay050_N
(pay050_N)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

45

Version: December 5, 2019
Please tell us the purpose of your payment to a nonprofit, charity, or religious
organization. Did you:
1. Make a donation
2. Make an offering, tithe, put money in the collection plate, etc.
3. Purchase goods and services
4. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
END IF (pay001_N = “Charitable or religious donations”)
If pay001_N = “A person”
## same screen – pay080_N, pay082_N
(pay080_N)
Please tell us about the person you paid.
What type of person did you pay?
1. People who provide goods and services
2. Friends or family
3. Co-worker, classmate, or fellow military
4. Other people (specify; no names please)
o [open ended text box]
(pay082_N)
Please tell us the purpose of your payment.
1. To give a gift or allowance
2. To lend money
3. To repay a money I borrowed (a loan)
4. To purchase goods or pay for services
5. To split a check or share expenses
6. Other (specify)
a. [open ended text box]
If pay080_N = “People who provide goods and services”
(pay081_N)
To the best of your knowledge, does the person operate as a business?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t know
ENDIF (pay080_N = “People who provide goods and services”)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

46

Version: December 5, 2019
ENDIF (pay001_N = “A person”)

b) Merchant category followups
## New screen
IF pay001_N = “Grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies” THEN
(pay610_N)
Did you buy gas during this purchase?



1 – Yes
2 – No

ENDIF (pay001_N = “grocery stores …”)

## New screen
If pay001_N = “Gas station” then
(pay604_N)
Did the gas station have a convenience or fast food store?



1 – Yes
2 – No

ENDIF (pay001_N = “Gas station”)

If pay604_N = YES or pay610_N = YES
(pay605_N)
Please tell us about your payment. Did you pay for:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Gas only
Convenience store item(s) or fast food only
Gas and convenience store item(s) or fast food in 1 payment
Gas and convenience store item(s)or fast food in 2 or more payments

ENDIF (pay604_N = YES or pay610_N = YES)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

47

Version: December 5, 2019
IF pay605_N = 4 THEN
****If R reports 2 or more payments, ask R to enter each
payment separately. Deliver partially complete payment entry
screen, as for bills, i.e.
Gas station with store payments – Please enter the information for [DISPLAY DIARY
DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
 Complete the entire row for each payment at the gas station.
## INSTRUCTIONS TO PROGRAMMER: Show 2 rows of our payments table. The “Payment type”
column should have the gas station purchase types displayed. Standard Payment Instrument
followups apply for each transaction.
Payment
type
Gas station
purchase

Time

Amount
Spent

Payment Method
Drop down list:
P0 – Multiple
payment methods
P1 – Cash
P2 – Check
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Prepaid/Gift/EBT
card
P6 – Bank account
number payment
P7 – Online banking
bill payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal
P11 – Account-toaccount transfer
P12 – Mobile phone
payment
P13 – Other payment
method

Store
purchase

Did you pay Device
in person?
Yes
Drop down list:
No
D1 – Computer
(laptop or desktop)
D2 – Tablet (e.g. iPad,
Kindle)
D3 – Mobile phone
D4 – Landline phone
D5 – Mail or delivery
service
D8 – E-ZPass or other
electronic toll device
D6 – Some other
device not listed
D7 – No device

Yes
No

## VARIABLE NAMES



Time
o gaspaytime_N, where N = 1 or 2, the row of the table
Amount

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

48

Version: December 5, 2019




o gaspayamnt_N, where N = 1 or 2, the row of the table
Payment method
o gaspaymethod_N, where N = 1 or 2, the row of the table
Payment device
o gaspaydevice_N, where N = 1 or 2, the row of the table

ENDIF (pay605_N = 4)

If pay001_N = (“General merchandise stores…”, “gas station”) and
paymethod_N != “credit card” THEN
(pay606a_N)
Did you pay a store charge or credit card bill during this payment at a retail store or
website?
1. Yes
2. No

If pay606a_N = YES then
(pay607a_N)
Did you pay the full amount of the bill, or less than the full amount?
1. Full amount
2. Less than the full amount
## New screen – q_ccbill_fu1_N
IF pay607a_N = 2 then
(q_ccbill_fu1_N)
How much was the full amount of the credit or charge card bill?


$_____________

END IF (pay607a_N = 2)
END IF (pay606a_N = YES)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

49

Version: December 5, 2019
If payment_N >= 200 THEN
(pay608_N)
Was your payment primarily for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Cars, trucks, motorcycles, other motor vehicles and parts
Furniture and furnishings
Household appliances
Computers, cameras, TVs, other electronics
Sports equipment, sports and recreational vehicles, and boats
Jewelry and watches
Therapeutic appliances and equipment
None of the above

If pay608_N = (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) and payment method not
equal to “credit card”
## same screen – pay611_N and pay612_N
(pay612_N)
Did you borrow money to make this purchase?
1. Yes
2. No
IF SCPC variable DE013 = YES
## in other words, does the respondent own their primary home. This question
is from the SCPC.
(pay611_N)
Did you use funds from a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to make this
purchase?
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (de013 = YES)
END IF (pay608_N = (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) and payment method not
equal to “credit card”)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

50

Version: December 5, 2019
END IF (paymentamnt_N >= 200)
END IF (pay001_N = (“General merchandise stores…”, “gas
station” AND paymethod_N != “credit card”)
## New screen – pay701_N
If pay001_N = "General services: hair dressers, auto repair,
laundry or dry cleaning, etc." OR "Arts, entertainment,
recreation" OR "Utilities not paid to the government:
electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, trash, heating oil" OR
"Public transportation, taxis, trains, ferries, subways,
airplanes" OR "Telephone, internet, cable or satellite tv, video
or music streaming services, movie theaters" OR "Building
contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC, etc." OR
"Professional services: legal, accounting, architectural
services; veterinarians; photographers or photo processers" OR
"Hotels, motels, RV parks, campsites" OR "Rent for apartments,
homes, or other buildings, real estate companies, property
managers, etc." THEN
IF pay002d = missing THEN:
(pay701_N)
Was this payment made for services that you received prior to today?
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (pay002d_N = missing)
If pay701_N = YES OR pay002d_N = 1 (“previously received”) THEN
(pay702_N)
When did you order or receive the services?
1. Within the last month
2. Between 3 months and 1 month ago
3. Between 1 year and 3 months ago
4. Longer than 1 year ago
ENDIF (pay701 = YES OR pay002d_N = 1)
ENDIF (pay001 = list of items from services section of merchant
categories list)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

51

Version: December 5, 2019

c) Payment instrument follow-ups
IF paydevice = 6 (some other device) THEN:
(q201e)
You told us that you used some other device to make this payment. Please tell us more about
the device.
[open ended text box]
ENDIF
IF paylocation = 2 (NO-not in person) AND paydevice = 7 (no device)
THEN:
(q201f)
You told us that this payment was not in person and that you used no device.
Please tell us more about how you made this payment. In particular, how was the payment paid
to the merchant?
[open ended text box]
ENDIF
IF (paymethod_N is not missing and not equal to “cash”) AND pay002_N =
2 AND paylocation_N = “IN PERSON” THEN
## both q103f and q103g on the same screen
(q103f)
Did you have enough cash (coins and paper bills) in your wallet, pocket, or purse to make this
payment in cash?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure, but I think so
4. I’m not sure, but I do not think so
5. I don’t know
(q103g)
Would the merchant or person you paid have accepted cash for this payment?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure, but I think so
4. I’m not sure, but I do not think so
5. I don’t know
ENDIF
IF payment is a non-bill payment (pay002_N = 2) or pay001_N = “Grocery
stores, convenience stores without gas stations, pharmacies”, “Gas stations”, “Sit-down restaurants and
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

52

Version: December 5, 2019
bars”, “Fast food restaurants, coffee shops, cafeterias, food trucks”, “General merchandise stores,
department stores, other stores” THEN
If paymethod_N EQUALS pa115_a THEN
(q201a)
You told us that “[FILL: response from q116_a]” is the most important characteristic when
choosing [FILL: response from q115_a] to make a payment.
Is that still the case for this payment too?
1. Yes
2. No
IF q201a = NO THEN
(q201b)
What is the most important characteristic for this payment?
1. Security
2. Accepted at lots of places
3. Cost
4. Convenience
5. Budget control
6. [IF q115_a = “credit card” or “debit card” then display]Rewards
7. Speed
8. Payment records
9. Getting and setting-up
10. Other (specify)
o [open ended text box]
ENDIF
ENDIF

If paymethod_N does not equal pa115_a THEN
(q103b)
Why did you use [FILL: paymethod_N] for this transaction?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

[FILL: response from q115_a] was not accepted
I didn’t have [FILL: response from q115_a] with me
Speed of payment was important for this transaction
Security of the transaction was important
I received a discount for using [FILL: paymethod_N]
I would have paid a surcharge if I used [FILL: response from q115_a]

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

53

Version: December 5, 2019
7. For this size transaction, I prefer to use [FILL: paymethod_N]
8. For this type of merchant I prefer to use [FILL: paymethod_N]
9. Other (specify)
 [open ended text box]
ENDIF
ELSE IF payment is a bill (pay002_N = YES)
If paymethod_N does not equal pa115_b THEN
(q103h)
Why did you use [FILL: paymethod_N] for this bill payment?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[FILL: response from q115_b] was not accepted
I didn’t have [FILL: response from q115_b] with me
I did not have enough money available to use [FILL: response from q115_b]
The payment would have been late if I used [FILL: response from q115_b]
[FILL: paymethod_N] is more secure than [FILL: response from q115_b]
I received a discount for using [FILL: paymethod_N]
I would have paid a surcharge if I used [FILL: response from q115_b]
For this size transaction, I prefer to use [FILL: paymethod_N]
For this type of bill I prefer to use [FILL: paymethod_N]
Other (specify)
 [open ended text box]

ENDIF
ENDIF
If Payment Method = P0 (Multiple payment methods) then:
(q103a)
Please tell us which payment methods you used to make this payment.
 Check all that apply











P1 – Cash
P2 – Check
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
P6 – Bank account number payment
P7 – Online banking bill payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal
P11 – Account-to-account transfer

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

54

Version: December 5, 2019
 P12 – Mobile phone payment
 P13 – Other payment method
 P14 – Direct deduction from income
## New screen – each q125 question on the same screen, and q126 on same screen too
(q126)
You said you made a payment of $[FILL: payamnt_N, formatted with two digits after the decimal for
cents] using multiple payment methods.
Why did you use multiple payment methods to make this payment?
[open ended text box]
If one of the payment methods = “Cash”
(q125_a)
How much cash did you spend when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Check”
(q125_b)
How much did you spend using a check when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Credit card”
(q125_c)
How much did you spend using your credit card when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Debit card”
(q125_d)
How much did you spend using your debit card when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Prepaid/gift/EBT card”
(q125_e)
How much did you spend using your prepaid/gift/EBT card when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Bank account number payment”
(q125_f)
How much did you spend using your bank account number when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Online banking bill payment”
(q125_g)
How much did you spend using online banking bill payment when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Money order”
(q125_h)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

55

Version: December 5, 2019
How much did you spend using a money order when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “PayPal”
(q125_j)
How much did you spend using PayPal when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Account-to-account transfer”
(q125_k)
How much did you spend using an account-to-account transfer when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Mobile phone payment”
(q125_l)
How much did you spend using a mobile phone payment when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Other payment method”
(q125_m)
How much did you spend using an other payment method when making this payment?
$___________
If one of the payment methods = “Direct deduction from income”
(q125_n)
How much did you spend using a direct deduction from income when making this payment?
$___________
## Display box at bottom that shows the total amount the respondent
has entered. If the total doesn’t sum up to the value of payamnt_N,
then display an error box which tells them the total amount should add
up to payamnt_N, and asking them to make corrections.
If Payment Method = P1 (Cash) then:
(q101aaa) ## I moved this question to be outside the skip pattern below so it will appear for any
payment which uses cash.
Did you receive a discount from the merchant or person you paid specifically for using cash?
1. Yes
2. No
If pay001_N not equal to “A person” THEN
(q101j)
Did this merchant accept any of the following types of card payment options?
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

56

Version: December 5, 2019




Credit card
Debit card
Prepaid card

1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t know
IF q101j = YES:
(q101k)
Did this merchant require a minimum dollar value for using a payment card?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure, but I think so
4. I’m not sure, but I do not think so
5. I don’t know
ENDIF
ENDIF (payment method = cash)
If Payment Method = P2 CHECK then:
IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 THEN
(q103d)
Was this payment made from your primary checking account or another checking account?
 Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.
1. Primary checking account
2. Another checking account
END IF
END IF (payment method = check)
If Payment Method = P4 (Debit) then:
## new screen
(q201d_N)
Which of your debit cards did you use to make this payment?
1. [nickname from dcq_004_a] ([Logo on card from dcq_002_a])
2. (IF dcq_001 = 2) [nickname from dcq_004_b] ([Logo on card from
dcq_002_b])
3. (IF dcq_001 = 3) [nickname from dcq_004_c] ([Logo on card from
dcq_002_c])
4. (IF dcq_001 = 4) [nickname from dcq_004_d] ([Logo on card from
dcq_002_d])
5. (IF dcq_001 = 5 or 6) [nickname from dcq_004_e] ([Logo on card from
dcq_002_e])
6. Another debit card not listed ## always display this row
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

57

Version: December 5, 2019

## New screen
IF q201d = 6 “Another debit card not listed” THEN:
(q201d_6_N)
Please tell us about the debit card you used to make this payment.

Debit card you
used to make
this payment

Logo on debit
card?

Does this card give
rewards?

(dcq_002_f_N)
[dropdown
list]
1. Visa
2. MasterCard
3. No logo

(dcq_003_f_N)
1. Yes
2. No

IF
dcpc_pa001_a
>= 2 THEN
To which account
does this card
belong?
(dcq_005_f_N)
1. Primary account
2. Another account

Give this card a
nickname.

(dcq_004_f_
N)
[open ended
text box]

END IF (q201d = 6)

## new screen q101c and q101d same screen
(q101c)
How did you authorize your debit card payment?
1. PIN
2. Signature
3. CVC/CVV code (the 3–digit numeric code on the back of a Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, or 4
digits on the front of an American Express)
4. None of these
5. Some combination of two of these
6. Other, please specify
a. [open ended text box]
(q101d)
Did you receive a discount from the merchant specifically for using this debit card?
1. Yes
2. No
## new screen
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

58

Version: December 5, 2019
(q101m)
Did this merchant require a minimum dollar value for using a debit card?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure, but I think so
4. I’m not sure, but I do not think so
5. I don’t know
## new screen
IF paylocation = 1 (YES-in person) AND paydevice = 7 (no device)
THEN:
(q201g)
How was this debit card purchase authorized?
1. Swiping the card
2. Inserting the card’s chip
3. Tapping, waving, or other contactless method
4. Handing the card to an employee such as a waiter or waitress
5. Some other method of authorization
a. [open response text box]
ENDIF
ENDIF (pay002_N = 1)
END IF (payment method = debit card)
If Payment Method = P3 (Credit) then:
## New question
(q201c_N)
Which of your credit cards did you use to make this payment?
1. [nickname from ccq_006_a] – [type of card from ccq_002_a]
2. (IF ccq_001 = 2) [nickname from ccq_006_b] – [type of card
ccq_002_b]
3. (IF ccq_001 = 3) [nickname from ccq_006_c] – [type of card
ccq_002_c]
4. (IF ccq_001 = 4) [nickname from ccq_006_d] – [type of card
ccq_002_d]
5. (IF ccq_001 = 5 or 6) [nickname from ccq_006_e] – [type of
ccq_002_e]
6. Another credit card not listed ## always display this row

from
from
from
card from

## New screen
IF q201c_N = 6 “Another credit card not listed” THEN:
(q201c_6_N)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

59

Version: December 5, 2019
Please tell us about the credit card you used to make this payment.

Credit card
you used to
make this
payment

Type of credit card?

Does this card
give rewards?

Did this card have
an unpaid balance
that you carried
over from last
month?

Does this card
have a security
chip?

Give this ca
nickname.

(ccq_002_f_N)
[dropdown
list]
1-Visa
2-MasterCard
3-Discover
4-Company or store
branded credit cards
5-American Express
charge card
6-American Express
credit card
7-Diners Club or
other charge cards
8-Other

(ccq_003_
f_N)

(ccq_004_
f_N)

(ccq_005_
f_N)

(ccq_006

Yes
No

Yes
No

Yes
No

END IF (q201c = 6)
## same screen q101f and q101g and q101n
(q101f)
Did you receive a discount from the merchant specifically for using this credit card?
1. Yes
2. No
(q101g)
Did you pay an extra charge, surcharge, or convenience fee to the merchant specifically for using this
credit card?
1. Yes
2. No
(q101n)
Did this merchant require a minimum dollar value for using a credit card?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure, but I think so
4. I’m not sure, but I do not think so
5. I don’t know

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

60

[open en
text box

Version: December 5, 2019
IF paylocation = 1 (YES-in person) AND paydevice = 7 (no device)
THEN:
(q201h)
How was this credit card purchase authorized?
1. Swiping the card
2. Inserting the card’s chip
3. Tapping, waving, or other contactless method
4. Handing the card to an employee such as a waiter or waitress
5. Some other method of authorization
a. [open ended response text box]
ENDIF
ENDIF (pay002_N = 1)
ENDIF (payment method = credit card)

If Payment Method = P5 (Prepaid/gift/EBT) then:
## Same screen q101hhh and q103u and gprprepaid_1or2
(q101hhh)
Did the prepaid card have a logo from the following?
1. Visa
2. MasterCard
3. Discover
4. American Express
5. No logo
6. Other logo
(q103u)
Did this merchant require a minimum dollar value for using a prepaid card?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure, but I think so
4. I’m not sure, but I do not think so
5. I don’t know
IF paylocation = 1 (YES-in person) AND paydevice = 7 (no device)
THEN:
(q201i)
How was this prepaid card purchase authorized?
1. Swiping the card
2. Inserting the card’s chip
3. Tapping, waving, or other contactless method
4. Handing the card to an employee such as a waiter or waitress
5. Some other method of authorization
a. [open ended response text box]
ENDIF
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

61

Version: December 5, 2019

IF dcpc_gpradopter = 1
(gprprepaid_1or2)
Did you use your primary general purpose reloadable prepaid card to make this
payment?
 Your primary general purpose prepaid card is the one you use most often to
make payments.
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (dcpc_gpradopter = 1)
END IF (paymethod = prepaid card)
If Payment Method = “Bank account number payment” then:
## new screen
IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 THEN
## New screen
(q103ddd)
Was this payment made from your primary checking account or another checking
account?
 Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.
1. Primary checking account
2. Another checking account
END IF (dcpc_pa001_a >= 2)
IF pay002_N = NO THEN
## New screen
(q103n)
When did you authorize this payment to pay? In other words, when will the funds come
out of your account?
1. Today, [DISPLAY DIARY DATE]
2. At a later date
## New screen
IF q103n_N = 2 THEN
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

62

Version: December 5, 2019
(q103n2_N)
What is the date that you authorized this payment to pay?
[insert calendar here] ## do not allow them to select a date before
today.
END IF (q103n_N = 2)
END IF (pay002_N = NO)
END IF (payment method = “Bank account number payment”)
If Payment Method = “Online banking bill payment” then:
## new screen
IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 THEN
(q103ddd)
Was this payment made from your primary checking account or another checking
account?
 Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.
1. Primary checking account
2. Another checking account
END IF (dcpc_pa001_a >= 2)
IF pay002_N = NO THEN
## New screen
(q103n)
When did you authorize this payment to pay? In other words, when will the funds come
out of your account?
1. Today, [DISPLAY DIARY DATE]
2. At a later date
## New screen
IF q103n_N = 2 THEN
(q103n2_N)
What is the date that you authorized this payment to pay?

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

63

Version: December 5, 2019
[insert calendar here] ## do not allow them to select a date before
today.
END IF (q103n_N = 2)
END IF (pay002_N = NO)
END IF (payment method = “online banking bill pay”)
If Payment Method = “Money order” then:
## same screen q103r and q103s
(q103r)
Where did you buy the money order you used for this payment?
1. Bank
2. Post office
3. Western Union or someplace similar
4. Other (specify)
a. [open ended text box]
(q103s)
How long ago did you buy the money order you used for this payment?
1. I bought it today
2. Between today and less than 7 days ago
3. 7 or more days ago
END IF (paymethod = money order)
If Payment Method = “PayPal” then:
(q101_paypal)
How did you fund this PayPal payment?
1. Credit card
2. Debit card
3. Linked bank account
4. Money stored with PayPal
END IF (paymethod = paypal)
If Paymethod = “Mobile phone payment” OR Device = D3 “mobile phone”
then:
## questions q101_mobile_a and q101_mobile_b on the same screen
(q101_mobile_a)
What kind of mobile payment was this payment?
1. App payment
2. Text message payment (charged to cell phone bill)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

64

Version: December 5, 2019
3. Payment made in browser
4. Other (specify)
a. [open ended text box]
END IF (Paymethod = “Mobile phone payment” OR Device = D3 “mobile
phone”)
IF paymethod = “mobile phone payment” AND (q101_mobile_a) NOT EQUAL TO
2 “text message payment (charged to cell phone bill)” THEN
(q101_mobile_b)
How was this mobile phone payment funded?
1. Credit card
2. Debit card
3. Prepaid card
4. Linked bank account
5. Money stored at a payment service such as PayPal
6. Other (specify)
a. [open ended text box]
END IF (paymethod = mobile phone payment)

If Payment Method = “Other” then:
(q101i_other)
You selected “Other” for your payment method.
Please use this space to describe your payment method.
[rectangular open ended text box]
END IF (paymethod = other)

If device = D3 “mobile phone” then:
(q150)
How did you use your phone to pay?
1. Tapped to pay
2. Scanned a QR code or showed screen to cashier or ticket-taker
3. Paid in advance or remotely (examples: Uber, Fandango)
4. Used a web browser
END IF
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

65

Version: December 5, 2019

d) “Categorize the purchase” sub-module
## q151_a and q151_b on the same screen
(IF Amount Spent >= 50)
(q151_a)
Was this an unexpected expense?
1. Yes
2. No
(q151_b)
Could you have postponed this payment to a later date without suffering any
consequences such as a late fee or a penalty?
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (amount spent >= 50)
## New screen
(paydescribe001_N)
We just asked you to classify your payment based on categories that we provided.
Sometimes a payment doesn’t often fit perfectly into our categories.
So we can better understand the nature of the payment you made, please, in your own
words, briefly describe this payment.


For example, tell us what you bought or paid for, and who you paid.

[open ended text entry box, 500 character limit, display
remaining number of characters below box]

## Here is where we loop back to the payment screen (q2). At this point, the respondent has
described one full payment. If they have more payments, then they will loop back to the q2
screen. If they don’t have any more payments, then they will go on to the next question.
(PD100)
Did you make any other payments today [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example: Wednesday,
October 3]?
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

66

Version: December 5, 2019
1. Yes
2. No

e) Reminders and recall aids – median 9 seconds
(q98b)
Some types of payments are easily forgotten. Did you make any of the following types of payments on
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] that you did not tell us about
previously?
 Check all that apply, or click the Next button if none











Paying tolls by E-ZPass, cash, or other payment method
PayPal or similar online payment service
App downloads
Music downloads
Public transportation
Paid with my phone (examples: Uber, Venmo, parking, etc.)
Gambling losses
Lottery ticket
Vending machine
Giving or paying back money to a person

IF q98b has at least one box checked, then take the respondent back to
the payments entry screen (q2). In addition, add text to the top of
the payment entry screen that reminds the respondent of what they
clicked on this screen. Something like this:
You told us you made the following types of payments, but did not
report them earlier:
 [bullet point checked on q98b]
Please record those payments below.
For each box selected in q98b, loop through the payment entry screen
and all follow-ups. Keep this text at the top of the payment entry
screen until they have finished recording all the payments. After
completing the payment module once for each box, ask “Do you have any
other [bullet pointe from q98b] that you would like to report?” If
“no,” continue to other bullet points (if any). If “yes,” loop back to
payments screen with the same bullet point in the header.
## same screen for both q5_1 and q5_2
(Q5_1)
Did you start [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] carrying any coins in your
pocket, wallet, or purse?
1. Yes
2. No
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

67

Version: December 5, 2019

IF numcashpurch > 0 THEN
(Q5_2)
Did you use coins to pay for all or part of a cash payment you made on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE
HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
1. Yes
2. No
ENDIF (numcashpurch > 0)
If Q5_2 = Yes and number of cash payments > 0
## same screen for q5_3 and q5_3_dollar
(Q5_3)
You told us you made [FILL: number of cash payments from purchases and bills] cash payments
on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
For how many cash payments did you use coins to pay for some or all of the payment?
___________payments
(q5_3_a)
What was the total dollar amount of the coins you used for payments today?
$___________
End skip (Q5_2 = Yes)

10) End of day balances on Cash, Checking account, and prepaid cards
## Ask for end of day cash balances in the Daily Module. Ask for checking account balances
at the end of the diary in the Day 3 Only Module. Ask for general purpose prepaid card
balances at the end of the diary in the Day 3 Only Module.

a) Cash
## Now we’re going to ask cash balance on Day 0 and at the end of Days 1, 2, and 3.
(Q5pre)
End of Day [1, 2, 3], [DISPLAY DIARY DATE DAY 3 HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], cash
amount:
Did you end the day with any paper cash in your wallet, purse and/or pocket?
 Do not consider foreign currency.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

68

Version: December 5, 2019

1. Yes
2. No
If Q5pre = NO
(Q5no)
Did you spend or deposit all your cash today?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I did not have or use any cash today.
***if Q5pre = NO then total cash at end of Day [1, 2, 3] should be set to 0, not missing***
ENDIF
If Q5pre = YES then:
Q5. ***Make ending cash amount pages look like “cash on Day 0” page.***

Cash in wallet, purse and/or pocket
End of the day cash amount – Please tell us the number of bills of each denomination in your wallet,
purse and/or pocket at the end of the day, on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday,
October 3”].
Your total dollar amount will be automatically calculated.
● Do not consider coins.
● Do not count foreign currency.
NUMBER OF:
____ x $1 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $20 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $2 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $50 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $5 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $100 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $10 bills = $[calculated on the fly]
Total dollar amount $[GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT, calculated on the fly]

## The name of the variable for GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT should be “amntcashend”. If q5pre =
NO, in other words the respondent does not have any cash, then amntcashend = 0.
## Variable names for the items above:
denom_end_1_num (the number of bills), denom_end_1_amnt (the dollar
amount)
denom_end_2_num, denom_end_2_amnt
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

69

Version: December 5, 2019
denom_end_5_num, denom_end_5_amnt
denom_end_10_num, denom_end_10_amnt
denom_end_20_num, denom_end_20_amnt
denom_end_50_num, denom_end_50_amnt
denom_end_100_num, denom_end_100_amnt
amntcashend

(q5_correct)
You told us you have $[GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT] in your wallet, purse and/or pocket. Is this
amount correct?
1. Yes
2. No
****If q5_correctscreen = NO, please take the diarist back to the “Count your paper cash” screen***

b) Checking account
## Here I will add the checking account balance screen pa072_a. It will be repeated on Day 1 and Day 2.
It’s already listed below in the “Day 3 Only” section. Since it’s already programmed for Day 0 and Day 3,
this should be sufficient to list these screens here for Days 1 and 2 and leave the Day 0 and Day 3
programming as it is.
IF dcpc_pa001_a = 1 THEN
Please tell us the balance of your checking account as of Day [FILL: today’s diary day number,
either 1 or 2] of your diary, [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
It is important for us to get an accurate measure of your balance.
Please use one of the following methods to look up your checking account balance:
 Your bank’s online banking website
 Your bank’s mobile app
 Your bank’s telephone banking system
 Your check book balance



Round to the nearest dollar
Please report the total balance of the checking account, even if jointly owned

(pa072_a)
Balance of checking account $_______________
(pa072_a_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your checking account.
[clock widget]
ELSE IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 THEN
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

70

Version: December 5, 2019
Please tell us the balance of your primary checking account as of Day [FILL: today’s diary day
number, either 1 or 2] of your diary, [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday,
October 3”].
It is important for us to get an accurate measure of your balance.
Please use one of the following methods to look up your checking account balance:
 Your bank’s online banking website
 Your bank’s mobile app
 Your bank’s telephone banking system
 Your check book balance




Round to the nearest dollar
Please report the total balance of the checking account, even if jointly owned
Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.

(pa072_a)
Balance of primary account $_______________.00
(pa072_a_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your checking account.
[clock widget]
IF pa072_a > 10000 THEN
(pa072_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your checking account balance is unusually large.
You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of pa072_a, formatted with dollar sign and
commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate,
select “No” below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with pa072_a
END IF (pa072_a > 10000)
ENDIF (dcpc_pa001_a)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

71

Version: December 5, 2019

11) Cash and account management module
a) Cash Deposits to all accounts
(q4)
Did you deposit any cash into your checking or savings account at an ATM, with the bank teller, or some
other way on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
 Do not include checks that you deposited.
 Do not include foreign currency.
1. Yes
2. No
If q4 = YES then
Q4. Depositing cash – Please tell us about each time you deposited paper cash or coins on
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].




Complete one entire row for each time you got or received cash today.
Do not include checks deposited. Only report cash you deposited.
Tell us about your cash deposits at ATMs or bank tellers.
Time
Amount
Deposit method
Account where cash
was deposited
[clock widget]
$_________
Drop down list:
Drop down list:
ATM
1 - Primary checking
Bank teller
account
Other (specify)
2 - Other checking or
savings account
3 – Primary general
purpose reloadable
prepaid card
4 – Other prepaid card
5 – Primary PayPal
account
6 - Other (specify)

## Create a variable called amntcashdeposits = sum(amount of all cash desposits on that day). If
there are no cash deposits on that day, then amntcashdeposits = 0.
## Create a variable called numcashdeposits = Number of cash desposits on that day. If there
are no cash deposits on that day, then numcashdeposits = 0.

## Cash deposit variables =
 cashdep_hour_N, where N is the number of the cash deposit for the day (1 = first
withdrawal, etc.)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

72

Version: December 5, 2019






cashdep_minute_N
cashdep_ampm_N
cashdep_amnt_N
cashdep_method_N
cashdep_account_N

IF cashdep_amnt > 1500 THEN
(cashdep_amnt_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your cash deposit is unusually large. You reported an
amount of [FILL: value of cashdep_amnt, formatted with dollar sign and commas as
necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with cashdep_amnt
END IF (cashdep_amnt > 1500)

****If the respondent chooses “Other” in the “Deposit method” dropdown, a follow-up screen
should say
For the cash deposit of $X at T:TTpm (am), please describe the other deposit method.

****
****If the respondent chooses “Other” in the “Account where cash was deposited” dropdown,
a follow-up screen should say
(cashdep_account_other_N)
For the cash deposit of $X at T:TTpm (am), please describe the other account.

****
ENDIF (q4 = YES)

b) Checking Deposits to all accounts
IF dcpc_pa001_a = 1
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

73

Version: December 5, 2019
(q080_a)
Was any money deposited into your checking account on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE,
example “Wednesday, October 3”]? Include all of the following:
 Direct deposits of income, tax or other refunds, etc. (electronically and/or
automatically)
 Check deposits
 Transfers into your checking account from your account or from someone else’s
account
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (dcpc_pa001_a = 1)
IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2
Was any money deposited into your primary checking account on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE
HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]? Include all of the following:
 Direct deposits of income, tax or other refunds, etc. (electronically and/or
automatically)
 Check deposits
 Transfers into your checking account from your account or from someone else’s
account
 Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (dcpc_pa001_a >= 2)
IF q080_a = YES
if dcpc_pa001_a = 1
Please tell us about each noncash deposit to your checking account on [DISPLAY DIARY
DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?


Use one row for each deposit that you made today.
Amount

Deposit 1
Deposit 2
…
Deposit 5

What kind of funds were deposited?
Check (personal or business)
Money order
Cashier’s check
Certified check

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

74

Version: December 5, 2019
Transfer from another account
Direct deposit of income
Venmo cash out
Other
## Variable names
 chkdep_amnt_N, where N is the row number
 chkdep_funds_N
IF q080_a = YES
if dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 then
Please tell us about each noncash deposit to your primary checking account on [DISPLAY
DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?


Use one row for each deposit that you made today.



Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.
Amount

Deposit 1
Deposit 2
…
Deposit 5

$_________.00

What kind of funds were
deposited?
Check (personal or business)
Money order
Cashier’s check
Certified check
Transfer from another account
Direct deposit of income
Venmo cash out
Other

## Variable names
 chkdep_amnt_N
 chkdep_funds_N
IF chkdep_amnt > 3630 THEN
(chkdep_amnt_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your check deposit is unusually large. You reported an
amount of $[FILL: value of cashdep_amnt, formatted with dollar sign and commas as
necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

75

Version: December 5, 2019
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with cashdep_amnt
END IF (chkdep_amnt > 3630)
IF chkdep_funds_N = “transfer from another account” THEN
(pa081_a)
What kind of account did the funds come from which were deposited into your primary checking
account?
1. Another checking account that I own
2. Another savings account that I own
3. Investment account
4. General purpose reloadable prepaid card
5. An account belonging to somebody else
6. Other
END IF

c) Prepaid Deposits to primary GPR card account
IF (dcpc_gpradopter = YES (“1”) or if GPRADOPTER = YES) THEN
(q102b)
Did you reload to your primary general purpose prepaid cards using any other payment instrument (e.g.
cash, debit card, credit card, bank account transfer, direct payment from income) on [DISPLAY DIARY
DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
1. Yes
2. No
(IF q102b = YES)
(q102c)
Please list all general purpose prepaid card loadings to your primary card on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE
HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].


Complete one entire row for each time you reloaded a prepaid card today.

Time

Amount Payment method used
loaded
[clock
$______ P1 – Cash
widget]
P2 – Check
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Other prepaid card

Location
L1 – Retail location
L2 – Online
L3 – Mobile phone
L4 – ATM
L5 – Card machine

Did you
pay a fee?
Yes
No

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

76

Version: December 5, 2019
P6 – Bank account number payment
P7 – Online banking bill payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal
P11 – Account-to-account transfer
P12 – Mobile phone payment
P13 – Other payment method
P14 – Direct deposit from salary, wages, or
benefit

L6 – Bank teller
L7 – Check casher
L8 – Other location

## Variable names
 Time
o prepaidload_h_N, where N is the number of times they loaded (1 = first time today)
o prepaidload_m_N
o prepaidload_ampm_N
 prepaidload_amnt_N
 prepaidload_method_N
 prepaidload_location_N
 prepaidload_fee_N
****If the respondent chooses “P13 – Other method”, a follow-up screen should say:
For the prepaid card loading of $X at T:TTpm (am), what other method do you mean?
[Open ended text response box]

****If the respondent chooses “L8 – Other location”, a follow-up screen should say:
For the prepaid card loading of $X at T:TTpm (am), what other location do you mean?
[Open ended text response box]

****NEW VARIABLE: if Payment Method Used = Cash then amntprepaidload = sum(all rows of Amount
Loaded on that day).
****NEW VARIABLE: if Payment Method Used = Cash then numprepaidload = Number of times prepaid
cards were reloaded on that day.
## New screen
IF prepaidload_method_N = 12 (mobile phone payment) THEN
(prepaidload_mobilefund_N)
How was the mobile phone payment for [FILL: $prepaidload_amnt_N] at [FILL: prepaidload
time, hh:mm am/pm format] funded?
1. Credit card
2. Debit card
3. Prepaid card
4. Linked bank account
5. Money stored at a payment service such as PayPal
6. Other (specify)
a. [open ended text box]
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

77

Version: December 5, 2019

END IF (prepaidload_method_N = 12)

IF (SCPC variable PCADOPTER = 1) THEN
(q102d)
Did you add money ($ value) to [FILL: IF dcpc_gpradopter = YES (“1”) or if
GPRADOPTER = YES THEN: any other general purpose reloadable prepaid cards besides your
primary card, or] any prepaid cards that are not general purpose reloadable cards on [DISPLAY DIARY
DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]? [FILL: IF dcpc_gpradopter = YES (“1”)
or if GPRADOPTER = YES THEN: Do not include money that you may have already reported for
reloading your primary general purpose reloadable prepaid cards.]


Examples of prepaid cards include Starbucks card, Target gift card, public transit cards, etc.
These are cards that can only be used at a specific retailer. They differ from general purpose
prepaid cards, which can be used anywhere that Visa or MasterCard are accepted.
1. Yes
2. No

(IF q102b = YES)
(q102e)
Please list all prepaid card loadings.

Time

Complete one entire row for each time you loaded a prepaid card today.
Amount
loaded
$______

Payment method used

Location

Did you pay a
fee?
Yes
No

P1 – Cash
L1 – Retail location
P2 – Check
L2 – Online
P3 – Credit card
L3 – Mobile phone
P4 – Debit card
L4 – ATM
P5 – Other prepaid card
L5 – Card machine
P6 – Bank account number payment
or kiosk
P7 – Online banking bill payment
L6 – Bank teller
P8 – Money order
L7 – Check casher
P10 – PayPal
L8 – Other location
P11 – Account-to-account transfer
P12 – Mobile phone payment
P13 – Other payment method
P14 – Direct deposit from salary,
wages, or benefit
## Variable names – These can be the same names as the GPR variables and we’ll know if they belong to
GPR cards or other prepaid cards by looking at the answers to q102b and q102d.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

78

Version: December 5, 2019







Time
o prepaidload_h_N, where N is the number of times they loaded (1 = first time today)
o prepaidload_m_N
o prepaidload_ampm_N
prepaidload_amnt_N
prepaidload_method_N
prepaidload_location_N
prepaidload_fee_N

****If the respondent chooses “P11 – Other method”, a follow-up screen should say:
For the prepaid card loading of $X at T:TTpm (am), what other method do you mean?
[Open ended text response box]

For the prepaid card loading of $X at T:TTpm (am), what other location do you mean?
[Open ended text response box]

****NEW VARIABLE: if Payment Method Used = Cash then amntprepaidload2 = sum(all rows of Amount
Loaded on that day).
****NEW VARIABLE: if Payment Method Used = Cash then numprepaidload2 = Number of times
prepaid cards were reloaded on that day.

d) Cash Withdrawals to all accounts
(q99)
Did you get or receive any cash on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
 Do not include foreign currency.
1. Yes
2. No
If q99 = YES then

(q3)
Receiving or getting cash
Please enter the information for your cash activity on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”].
 Complete one entire row for each time you got or received cash today.
Time Amount Location (where you got the cash)
Source of funds

Were you
charged
a fee?

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

79

Version: December 5, 2019
Drop down list:
C1 – ATM
C2 – Cash back at a retail store
C3 – Bank teller
C4 – Family or friend
C5 – Check cashing store
C6 – Employer
C7 – Cash refund from returning
goods
C8 – Payday lender
C9 – Other location

Drop down list:
Drop
S1 – Primary checking account down
S2 – Other checking or savings list:
account
Yes
S3 – Salary/wages/tips
No
S4 – Cashing a check
S5 – Credit card cash advance
S6 – Primary GPR prepaid card
cash withdrawal
S7 – Other prepaid card cash
withdrawal
S8 – Another person
S9 – Other source
## Create a variable called amntcashwith = sum(amount of all cash withdrawals on that day). If there are
no cash withdrawals on that day, then amntcashwith = 0.
## Create a variable called numcashwith = Number of cash withdrawals on that day. If there are no cash
withdrawals on that day, then numcashwith = 0.
## Cash withdrawal variables =
 Time:
o cashget_hour_N, where N is the number of the cash withdrawal for the day (1 = first
withdrawal, etc.)
o cashget_minute_N
o cashget_ampm_N
 cashget_amnt_N
 cashget_location_N
 cashget_source_N
 cashget_fee_N

****If the respondent chooses “C9 – Other location”, a follow-up screen should say:
For the cash withdrawal of $X at T:TTpm (am), what other location do you mean?
[Open ended text response box]

****If the respondent chooses “S9 – Other source”, a follow-up screen should say:
For the cash withdrawal of $X at T:TTpm (am), what other source do you mean?
[Open ended text response box]

****

e) Checking Withdrawals from all accounts
IF dcpc_pa001_a = 1 then
(q210_a)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

80

Version: December 5, 2019

Did you make any transfers from your checking account into another account on [DISPLAY
DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
1. Yes
2. No
ELSE IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 then
(q210_a)
Did you make any transfers from your primary checking account into another account on
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
 Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not necessarily
the account with the most money in it.
1. Yes
2. No
ENDIF
IF (q210_a = YES) THEN
IF dcpc_pa001_a = 1 THEN
Please tell us about each transfer from your checking account to another account on [DISPLAY
DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?


Use one row for each transfer that you made today.

Transfer 1
Transfer 2
…
Transfer 5



Amount
$______
$______
$______
$______

What account did you transfer into?
[Drop down list for each row in table]
--Select one—
1. Another checking or savings account that I
own
2. Another checking or savings account belonging
to someone else
3. Investment account that I own
4. Investment account belonging to someone
else
5. General purpose reloadable prepaid card that I
own
6. General purpose reloadable prepaid card
belonging to someone else
7. Other

##Variable names
chktransfer_amnt_N
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

81

Version: December 5, 2019


chktransfer_account_N

IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 THEN
Please tell us about each transfer from your primary checking account to other accounts on
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?



Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not necessarily the
account with the most money in it.
Use one row for each transfer that you made today.
Amount
Transfer 1
Transfer 2
…
Transfer 5

What account did you transfer into?
[Drop down list for each row in
table]
--Select one—
1. Another checking or savings
account that I own
2. Another checking or savings
account belonging to
someone else
3. Investment account that I
own
4. Investment account
belonging to someone else
5. General purpose reloadable
prepaid card that I own
6. General purpose reloadable
prepaid card belonging to
someone else
7. Other

##Variable names
 chktransfer_amnt_N
 chktransfer_account_N

IF chktransfer_amnt > 2034 THEN
(chktransfer_amnt_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your check transfer is unusually large. You reported an
amount of $[FILL: value of cashtransfer_amnt, formatted with dollar sign and commas as
necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

82

Version: December 5, 2019
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with cashtransfer_amnt
END IF (chktransfer_amnt > 2034)

## Follow-up from the above “transfer from account” tables:
For each of these transfers to another account, please tell us the following:

Transfer [FILL: X,
where X is the
row number from
above] for $[FILL
with dollar
amount]

Was the
account that
the money
came from
at the same
financial
institution as
the account
the money
was
transferred
to?
[Drop down
list]
Yes
No

How much was the fee for this
transfer? Enter 0 if none.

$__________
(variable name:
chktransfer_fee_N)

When is the person to whom
you transferred the money
supposed to receive it?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Today
Tomorrow
2 days
3 days
4 days
5 days
6 days
One week
More than a week

(variable name:
chktransfer_whenrec_N)

f) Other withdrawals
## New screen
(q211)
Did you purchase any of the following on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October
3”]?
Yes No
(q211_a)
Money order
(q211_b)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

83

Version: December 5, 2019
Traveler’s check
(q211_c)
Certified check
IF any of q211_a, b, or c = YES then
(paymethod_intro)
Please tell us the amount of the check(s) or money orders you purchased and the payment method you
used to buy them. For traveler’s checks, please report the total amount of all traveler’s checks
purchased.
Amount
Payment method
(IF q211_a = YES)
(q211_amnt_a) Drop down list:
Money order
$________
P0 – Multiple payment methods
(IF q211_b = YES)
(q211_amnt_b) P1 – Cash
Travelers checks
$________
P2 – Check
(IF q211_c = YES)
(q211_amnt_c) P14 – Checking account withdrawal
Certified check
$________
P15 – Savings account withdrawal
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
P6 – Bank account number payment
P7 – Online banking bill payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal
P11 – Account-to-account transfer
P12 – Mobile phone payment
P13 – Other payment method
## New variables
q211_paymeth_a
q211_paymeth_b
q211_paymeth_c
## create new variables for cash identity
papermethod_amnt = 0
IF payment method q211_paymeth_a = “Cash” then papermethod_amnt = papermethod_amnt + q211_paymeth_a
IF payment method q211_paymeth_b = “Cash” then papermethod_amnt = papermethod_amnt + q211_paymeth_b
IF payment method q211_paymeth_c = “Cash” then papermethod_amnt = papermethod_amnt + q211_paymeth_c

IF Payment Method = “Other payment method” THEN
(paper_pi_001_N)
Please tell us what other kind of payment method you used to fund your [FILL: paper payment
instrument from above] purchase.
[open ended text box]
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

84

Version: December 5, 2019
ENDIF (payment method = “other”)

12) Error checking
So far, we have created the following variables:











amntcashend_day0
amntcashpurch
numcashpurch
amntcashdeposits
numcashdeposits
amntcashwith
numcashwith
amntprepaidload
numprepaidload
amntcashend_dayX, where X = [1, 2, 3]

Next, we will create a few intermediate variables.




amntcashout = sum(amntcashpurch, amntcashdeposits, amntprepaidload)
amntcashin = amntcashwith
numcashtrans = sum(numcashpurch, numcashdeposits, numcashwith, numprepaidload)

Now we can create the flag which indicates a good cash identity for Day 1:



If abs(amntcashend_day1 – amntcashend_day0 + amntcashout – amntcashin) <=
numcashtrans then goodcashid = 1.
Else goodcashid = 0.

Likewise, for days 2 and 3, the good cash identity flag is as follows:



If abs(amntcashend_dayX – amntcashend_day[X-1] + amntcashout – amntcashin) <=
numcashtrans then goodcashid = 1.
Else goodcashid = 0.

Create a new variable called reported_cashend, which will equal
 reported_cashend = amntcashend_day[X-1] – amntcashout + amntcashin
 In other words, the amount of cash at the end of yesterday, minus all cash outflows, plus all
cash inflows.

## New screen -- Only show screen if goodcashid = 0, in other words, they have a bad cash identity.
If reported_cashend - amntcashend_day[1,2,3] not equal to 0 THEN
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

85

Version: December 5, 2019

IF goodcashid = 0 THEN
(q107)

Are there any other cash activities on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]
that were not reported previously in today’s online diary?
To help you remember, you
****for each of these next text lines, only show if value is > 0****
## display as table
Number of cash transactions (includes all cash
payments, deposits, and withdrawals)
Amount of cash you started with in your wallet,
purse and/or pocket
Dollar amount of cash payments
Dollar amount of cash withdrawals
Dollar amount of cash deposits
Dollar amount loaded onto prepaid or gift cards

totcashtrans
$[amntcashend_day[0,1,2]]
$[amntcashpurch]
$[amntcashwith]
$[amntcashdeposits]
$[amntprepaidload]

Based on what you told us about your payments and cash activity today, we calculated that you
should have $[reported_cashend] in your wallet, purse, and/or pocket. But you told us you
ended the day with $[amntcashend_day[1,2,3]].
There is a difference of [reported_cashend - amntcashend_day[1,2,3]] dollars
Please help us to understand why your reported cash activity does not match the total shown.
Perhaps you forgot to report some cash payments, withdrawals or deposits. If you are able,
please explain in the activities and amounts in the box below.
[provide open ended response text box for the diarist to explain]
## Ask for those with goodcashid = 0.
By chance, did you do any of the following on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”]?
Yes

No

(q5_4)
Convert coins to paper cash
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

86

Version: December 5, 2019
(q5_5)
Convert paper cash to coins (examples: using a change machine, getting
four quarters for a dollar, buying a roll of coins)
(q119)
Exchange paper U.S. dollars for a foreign currency
(q121)
Exchange foreign currency for paper U.S. dollars
(q7_1)
Returned goods for a cash refund
(q7_2)
Exchanged goods and paid the difference in cash
(q105a)
I removed some cash from my pocket, wallet or purse and added it to cash
stored elsewhere on my property.
(q105b)
I took cash stored elsewhere on my property and added it to my pocket,
wallet or purse.
(q105c)
I had some cash lost or stolen.
(q105d)
I found or unexpectedly received some cash.

a) Coin-to-cash and cash-to-coin section
If Q5_4 = YES then
Coins to Cash
Please list all the times you converted coins into cash or some other form of value on [DISPLAY DIARY
DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
 Complete one entire row for each time you converted coins into cash or some other form of
value today.

Time

Dollar
amount
of coins

Dollar
amount
received in
paper bills

Were you reimbursed
with something other
than paper bills?
1. No
2. Prepaid/gift card
3. Deposit into
bank account

Location

1. Coin
machine/kiosk
2. Bank teller
3. Cash register
or checkout in
a store

Did you
pay a fee?

Y/N

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

87

Version: December 5, 2019
4. Points or value
to use on a
website
5. Store credit
6. Other (specify)

4. Family or
friend
5. Other (specify)

## error message if “dollar amount received” is greater than “dollar amount of coins”: “The dollar
amount received in paper bills should be less than or equal to the dollar amount of coins. Please correct
or click Next.”
****NEW variable: amntcoin2cash = sum(dollar amount received in paper bills) ****
****NEW variable: numcoin2cash = Number of times changing coins into cash ****
If Q5_5 = YES then
Cash to Coins
Please list all the times you converted paper cash into coins on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE,
example “Wednesday, October 3”].



Complete one entire row for each time you converted paper cash into coins today.
Examples include using a change machine, getting four quarters for a dollar, or buying a roll of
coins. Do not consider receiving change from a purchase.

Time

Dollar
amount of
paper bills

Main type of coin
received
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Location

Dollar coins
Quarters
Dimes
Nickels
Pennies

1. Change
machine/kiosk
2. Bank teller
3. Cash register or
checkout in a store
4. Family or friend
5. Other (specify)

Did you pay a
fee?
Y/N

****NEW VARIABLE: amntcash2coin = sum(dollar amount of paper cash changed to coins) ****
****NEW VARIABLE: numcash2coin = Number of times changing cash into coins ****

b) Foreign-to-USD and USD-to-foreign section
IF q119 = YES or q121 = YES THEN
## Same screen q120 and q122
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

88

Version: December 5, 2019
If q119 = YES then
(q120)
U.S. Cash to Foreign Currency
How much U.S. cash did you convert into a foreign currency on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE
HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
$__________
ENDIF
****NEW VARIABLE: amntusd2for = sum(dollar amount of USD changed to foreign currency)
****
If q121 = YES then
(q122)
Foreign Currency to U.S. Cash
How much U.S. cash did you receive after converting from foreign currency on [DISPLAY
DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
$__________
ENDIF
****NEW VARIABLE: amntfor2usd = sum(dollar amount of foreign currency changed to USD)
****
ENDIF (q119 = YES or q121 = YES)

c) Returned goods section
(IF q7_1 or q7_2 = YES)
(Q7_a)
Please tell us if you returned or exchanged goods on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”].
1. I returned goods for a refund or store credit
2. I exchanged goods for other items
If Q7_a = 1
(Q9)
(q9_amnt)
How much money was refunded?
$______
How did the merchant pay you?
(q9_merchant)
Drop down list:
Cash
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

89

Version: December 5, 2019
Refund to debit card
Refund to credit card
Merchant wrote you check
Store credit
Gift card
Other

****If q9_merchant = Cash then amntrefund = sum(q9_amnt)
End skip (Q7_a = 1)
If Q7_a = 2 then
(Q10)
Was the exchange for a good or service of less value, equal value or more value?
1. Less value
2. Equal value
3. More value
If Q10 = 1 then:
(Q110)
Please tell us how were you paid the difference between the higher valued
exchanged good and the lower valued new item?
(Q110a)
What was the amount you were given? $_____
(Q110b)
How were you given the difference?
[drop down list:
Cash
Refund to debit card
Refund to credit card
Merchant wrote you a check
Store credit
Gift card
Other]
****NEW VARIABLE: if Q110b = Cash then amntexchange = Q110a ****
ENDIF
If Q10 = 3 then:
(Q111)
Did you report to us the amount paid to make up the difference in value
between the returned good and the new good?
1. Yes
2. No
If Q111 = NO then
(Q111b)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

90

Version: December 5, 2019
How much did you pay to make up the difference in value between the
returned good and the new good?
$______________
(Q111c)
What payment method did you use to pay the difference?
****dropdown list of payment instruments****
Payment method codes:
P1 – Cash
P2 – Check
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
P6 – Bank account number payment
P7 – Online banking bill payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal
P11 – Account-to-account transfer
P12 – Mobile phone payment
P13 – Other payment method
End if
****NEW VARIABLE: if Q111c = Cash then amntpaydiff = Q111b ****
Endif
End skip (Q7_a = 2)

d) Cash lost, stolen, or moved section
****These are follow up questions to Q105. All q106 questions which are displayed should be on one
screen if possible****
(IF q105a = YES)
(q106a)
How much cash did you remove from your pocket, wallet or purse and add to cash stored
elsewhere on your property on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October
3”]?
$_______
(IF q105b = YES)
(q106b)
How much cash did you take that was stored elsewhere on your property and add to your
pocket, wallet, or purse on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
$________
(IF q105c = YES)
(q106c)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

91

Version: December 5, 2019
How much cash did you have lost or stolen on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”]?
$____________
(IF q105d = YES)
(q106d)
How much cash did you find or unexpectedly receive on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”]?
$_______________

13) Income
## New screen
IF any of q140_a – q140_j = YES then
## only display rows where q140 = YES
(q142)
Did you receive any income from the following sources on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”]?
Yes

No

(IF q140_a = YES)
(q142_a)
Employment income (wages, salary, bonuses)
(IF q140_c = YES)
(q142_c)
Self-employment income
(IF q140_d = YES)
(q142_d)
Social Security
(IF q140_b = YES)
(q142_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(IF q140_j = YES)
(q142_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement fund
(IF q140_e = YES)
(q142_e)
Interest and dividends
(IF q140_f = YES)
(q142_f)
Rental income
(IF q140_g = YES)
(q142_g)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

92

Version: December 5, 2019
Government assistance (disability, unemployment, SNAP, TANF, WIC)
(IF q140_h = YES)
(q142_h)
Alimony
(IF q140_i = YES)
(q142_i)
Child support

## New screen
IF any of q142_a – q142_j = YES then
## only display rows where q142 = YES

(q144)
How much net income (also called after-tax income) did you receive and how did you receive the
income on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
In other words, tell us the amount deposited into one of your accounts, or the amount of cash or a
check you received.



Report NET amount of income received, after all taxes and other deductions.
Include multiple payments from the same source.

Source
(IF q142_a = YES)
(q144_a)
Employment (wages, salary, bonuses)
(IF q142_c = YES)
(q144_c)
Self-employment income
(IF q142_d = YES)
(q144_d)
Social Security
(IF q142_b = YES)
(q144_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(IF q142_j = YES)
(q144_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement
fund
(IF q142_e = YES)
(q144_e)
Interest and dividends
(IF q142_f = YES)

Amount
(q144_a)
$_________
(q144_c)
$_________
(q144_d)
$_________
(q144_b)
$_________
(q144_j)
$_________
(q144_e)
$_________

How did you receive your income?
## Show the drop down list for each
row that is displayed.
[Drop down list]
--Select one—
1. Direct deposit ONLY to primary
checking account
2. Direct deposit ONLY to some
other checking or savings
account
3. Direct deposit to more than
one account
4. Paper check
5. Cash
6. Payroll card
7. General purpose reloadable
prepaid card
8. Other

(q144_f)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

93

Version: December 5, 2019
(q144_f)
Rental income
(IF q142_g = YES)
(q144_g)
Government assistance (disability,
unemployment, SNAP, TANF, WIC)
(IF q142_h = YES)
(q144_h)
Alimony
(IF q142_i = YES)
(q144_i)
Child support

$_________
(q144_g)
$_________
(q144_h)
$_________
(q144_i)
$_________

## Variable names for “How did you
receive your income?”
q143_a
q143_c
q143_d
q143_b
q143_j
q143_e
q143_f
q143_g
q143_h
q143_i

IF q144_a > 4400 THEN
(q144_a_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your employment income is unusually large. You reported
an amount of [FILL: value of q144_a, formatted with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with q144_a
END IF (q144_a > 4400)
IF q144_c > 3500 THEN
(q144_c_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your self-employment income is unusually large. You
reported an amount of $[FILL: value of q144_c, formatted with dollar sign and commas as
necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with q144_c
END IF (q144_c > 3500)
IF q144_d > 2300 THEN
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

94

Version: December 5, 2019
(q144_d_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your Social Security income is unusually large. You reported
an amount of $[FILL: value of q144_c, formatted with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with q144_d
END IF (q144_d > 2300)
## new screen
IF Any row has q143 = 3 THEN DISPLAY SCREEN
(q147)
You told us that some income was deposited into more than one account for these income
categories.
How much was deposited to your primary checking account?


If none, enter 0.

## error check – do not let the respondent enter a number greater than the response for
q144. IF ERROR, show text “Enter a number between 0 and [answer for q144]”
Source
(IF q143_a = 3)
(q144_a)
Employment (wages, salary, bonuses)
(IF q143_c = 3)
(q144_c)
Self-employment income
(IF q143_d = 3)
(q144_d)
Social Security
(IF q143_b = 3)
(q144_b)
Employer-paid retirement
(IF q143_j = 3)
(q144_j)
IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other retirement fund
(IF q143_e = 3)
(q144_e)
Interest and dividends
(IF q143_f = 3)

Amount
(q147_a)
$_________
(q147_c)
$_________
(q147_d)
$_________
(q147_b)
$_________
(q147_j)
$_________
(q147_e)
$_________
(q147_f)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

95

Version: December 5, 2019
(q144_f)
Rental income
(IF q143_g = 3)
(q144_g)
Government assistance (disability, unemployment, SNAP, TANF, WIC)
(IF q143_h = 3)
(q144_h)
Alimony
(IF q143_i = 3)
(q144_i)
Child support

$_________
(q147_g)
$_________
(q147_h)
$_________
(q147_i)
$_________

End IF (Any row has q143 = 3)
[If diary day = 3]
(q19)
Please tell us the date when you next expect to receive an income payment.



Click the arrows to scroll through additional months.
If you don’t expect to receive any income, please tell us in the comments.
****Calendar goes here****

14) Daily questions
a) What payment instruments did you carry today
****Ask question q97 only there was at least one purchase or bill with “in person” for the location code,
or any cash withdrawals or cash deposits on the day.****
(q97)
Please tell us what PAYMENT METHODS you carried or were available to you to make payments on
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].













Check all that apply
P1 – Cash
P2 – Check
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
P6 – Bank account number payment
P7 – Online banking bill payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal
P11 – Account-to-account transfer
P12 – Mobile phone payment

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

96

Version: December 5, 2019
 P13 – Other payment method
 I did not have any payment methods accessible.

b) Did you travel today?
(q13)
Did you travel in the U.S. for business, vacation, or any other reason on [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE,
example “Wednesday, October 3”]?
 Consider any travel where you slept away from home last night or you will sleep away from
home tonight.
1. Yes
2. No

15) Day 1 only module
a) Marketplace lending section
## DAY 1 ONLY SECTION: MARKETPLACE LENDING:
(ML001_intro)
There are many different types of online loans. The next few questions are about a special type of
online loan, called a “marketplace” or “peer-to-peer” loan.
Marketplace lenders connect borrowers with investors, by arranging for consumers and businesses to
borrow online and for individual investors and firms to invest in loans.
When answering the questions, please keep the following in mind:


Do not include any of the following types of loans that it is possible to apply for online…
o …credit cards.
o …any loans obtained from a bank, savings bank, or credit union. Examples: Bank of
America, USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union.
o …any loans obtained from a payday lender.
o …any loans where borrowers can start the application process online and then have to
speak with a person by phone or in person.

(ML001)
Before reading this information, had you heard of marketplace lending, sometimes called “peer-topeer” lending?
1. Yes
2. No
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

97

Version: December 5, 2019

## new screen ML023 and ML024 on same screen
(ML023)
Have you heard of any of these marketplace lenders?
Yes

No

(ML023_a)
Lending Club
(ML023_b)
Prosper
(ML023_c)
SoFi
(ML023_d)
Avant

(ML024)
Have you heard of any other marketplace lenders not listed above?
1.
Yes, please specify________________
2.
No
IF ML023_a = YES OR ML023_b = YES OR ML023_c = YES OR ML023_d = YES OR
ML024 = YES OR ML001 = YES THEN:
## New screen
(ML020)
Do you have a loan from a marketplace lender?
1.
2.

Yes
No

## New screen
IF ML020 = NO
(ML025)
Have you ever had a loan from a marketplace lender?
1. Yes
2. No
END (IF ML020 = NO)
IF ML020 = YES OR ML025 = YES
## New screen ML008 and ML009 on same screen
Please think about the marketplace loan you obtained most recently.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

98

Version: December 5, 2019

(ML008)
Please tell us the name of the marketplace lender.
1. Lending Club
2. Prosper
3. SoFi
4. Avant
5. Other (specify)
(ML009)
Please tell us the most important reason you applied to this lender.
### Randomize list, pin “Other” to bottom
1. Better terms (lower interest rates, lower monthly payment, etc.)
2. Easy to apply or convenience (simple application process, fast approval times, etc.)
3. Was turned down by a traditional lender
4. Other (specify)
## New screen
(ML007)
Please tell us the main reason you took out the loan.
### Pin “Pay off credit card debt” to top, pin “Other” to bottom, randomize middle
1. Pay off credit card debt
2. Mortgage/Home improvement
3. Auto loan
4. Education loan
5. Business loan
6. Personal loan for wedding, vacation, moving, and other expenses
7. Pay off other debt
## New screen ML022 and ML033 on same screen
(ML022)
When did you apply for the loan?
1. In 2018
2. In 2017
3. Before 2017
(ML033)
What is the term of this loan?
1. 36 months
2. 60 months
3. Other (specify)

## New screen ML026 and ML030 on same screen
(ML026)
Which category represents the total amount you borrowed?
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

99

Version: December 5, 2019

1. Less than $5,000
2. $5,000-$9,999
3. $10,000-$14,999
4. $15,000-19,999
5. $20,000-$29,999
6. $30,000 or more
(ML030)
What category represents the interest rate you paid?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

0 – 4.99%
5% – 7.99%
8% – 10.49%
10.5% – 11.99%
12% – 13.99%
14% – 16.99%
17% or more

IF ML026 = 6 ($30,000 or more)
## New screen
(ML029)
We’d like to know more about the amount. Please tell us how much you borrowed.
$__________________.00
End IF (ML026 = 6 ($30,000 or more))
IF ML030 = 6 (17% or more)
## New screen
(ML032)
We’d like to know more about the interest rate. Please tell us the interest rate on
this loan.
_______.__%
End IF (ML030 = 6 (17%or more))
## New screen
(ML012)
Since taking out the loan, have you found the costs of the loan to be about what you
expected or not what you expected?
 Please choose one answer in each row for all costs.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

100

Version: December 5, 2019
1
Much more
than I
expected

2
More than I
expected

3
About what
I expected

4
Less than I
expected

5
Much less
than I
expected

(ML012_a)
Interest rate
(ML012_b)
Service fees
(ML012_c)
Account
maintenance
fees
(ML012_d)
Prepayment
penalties

END IF (ML020 = YES OR ML025 = YES)
IF ML020 = YES
## New screen
(ML014)
As of now, are you more than 30 days late on a payment for this loan?
1. Yes
2. No
IF ML014 = NO
## New screen
(ML013)
Have you ever been more than 30 days late on a payment for this loan?
1. Yes
2. No
End IF (ML014 = NO)

End IF (ML020 = YES)
IF ML025 = YES
## New screen ML027 and ML028 on same screen
(ML027)
Were you ever more than 30 days late on a payment for this loan?
1. Yes
2. No
(ML028)
Did you pay the loan off in full?
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

101

Version: December 5, 2019
1. Yes
2. No
END IF (ML025 = YES)

## New screen
IF ML020 = NO AND ML025 = NO
(ML021)
Have you ever applied for a loan from a marketplace lender?
1.
Yes
2.
No
END IF (ML020 = NO and ML025 = NO)
IF ML021 = YES
## New screen ML008 and ML009 on same screen
Please think about the loan you applied for most recently.
(ML008)
Please tell us the name of the marketplace lender.
1. Lending Club
2. Prosper
3. SoFi
4. Avant
5. Other (specify)
(ML009)
Please tell us the most important reason you applied to this lender.
### Randomize list, pin “Other” to bottom
1. Better terms (lower interest rates, lower monthly payment, etc.)
2. Easy to apply or convenience (simple application process, fast approval times, etc.)
3. Was turned down by a traditional lender
4. Other (specify)
## New screen
(ML010)
Was your loan application approved?
1. Yes
2. No
IF ML010 = YES
## New screen
(ML019)
Why did you decide not to take out the loan?
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

102

Version: December 5, 2019
### Randomize list, pin “Other” to bottom
1. Did not need it
2. Did not like the terms of the loan
3. Found a loan elsewhere with better terms
4. Other (specify)
END IF (ML010 = YES)

END IF (ML021 = YES)

END IF (ML023_a = YES OR ML023_b = YES OR ML023_c = YES OR ML023_d =
YES OR ML024 = YES OR ML001 = YES)
## END MARKETPLACE LENDING QUESTION MODULE

b) Unexpected/Emergency expense
(scf004)
As of today, how much money do you have saved for emergency expenses?



Please enter an amount for each row. Enter 0 if none.
Your total dollar amount will be automatically calculated.
Source of funds
Cash
Checking account
Savings account
Prepaid card
Total amount you have set
aside

Amount
(scf004_a)
$________.00
(scf004_b)
$________.00
(scf004_c)
$________.00
(scf004_d)
$________.00
$[running total updated in real time].00

IF scf004_a > 2000 THEN
(scf004_a_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for the amount of cash saved for emergency expenses is
unusually large. You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of scf004_a, formatted with dollar
sign and commas as necessary].
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

103

Version: December 5, 2019

Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with scf004_a
END IF (scf004_a > 2000)
IF scf004_b > 22000 THEN
(scf004_b_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for the amount saved in your checking account for emergency
expenses is unusually large. You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of scf004_b, formatted
with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with scf004_b
END IF (scf004_b > 22000)
IF scf004_c > 64330 THEN
(scf004_c_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for the amount saved in your savings account for emergency
expenses is unusually large. You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of scf004_c, formatted
with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with scf004_c
END IF (scf004_c > 64330)
IF scf004_d > 135 THEN
(scf004_d_followup)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

104

Version: December 5, 2019
The dollar amount you reported for the amount saved on a prepaid card for emergency
expenses is unusually large. You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of scf004_d, formatted
with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No”
below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with scf004_d
END IF (scf004_d > 135)
(scf005)
Assume that you were facing an emergency expense of $2,000 that could not be avoided.
You would need to make this $2,000 payment within one month.


Examples: Your car breaks down and you need it to get to work. Pipes burst in your house, and
plumbing must be immediately repaired.

How much of this $2,000 could you pay for within one month (the next 30 days)?
$ _______________.00

## error message “Please enter a number between 0 and 2000.”

### New screen – scf006
(scf006)
You said you could get $[FILL: response from scf005] for an emergency expense.
How much would you get from each of the following sources?
Note: The total amount will be calculated automatically and displayed at the bottom.
Source of funds

Within one month (the next 30 days)

Cash

$________.00

Checking account

$________.00

Savings account

$________.00

Prepaid card

$________.00

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

105

Version: December 5, 2019
Checking account overdraft

$________.00

Credit card

$________.00

Home equity line of credit

$________.00

Payday loan

$________.00

Pawn shop

$________.00

Family and friends

$________.00

Total amount you could pay

$[running total updated in real time].00

## error check—dollar amount in “Total amount…” row should equal the response to scf005 above.

c) End of Day 1 text
Thank you for completing the first day of your diary.
Please log in tomorrow evening to complete the second day.

d) End of Day 2 text
Thank you for completing the second day of your diary.
Please log in tomorrow evening to complete the final day.

16) Day 3 only module
## These questions are only asked at the end of Day 3

a) Bills
## New screen
Thank you for recording the following bill payments during days 1, 2, or 3 of your diary period.
## Display a list of the payments where the variable “pay002_N” is equal to YES Show the following in a
table, one row per payment:
Date
Amount
Payment category
Payment method
payamnt_N
(Day 1/2/3)
This is the response to pay001_N. (not paymethod_N
the numeric value of the variable, but
the text of the response option)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

106

Version: December 5, 2019

## If no bills from previous days then display
No bill payments reported
The next few screens include reminders for other types of bills you may have paid from [DISPLAY
DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] to [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”].




Include all bills…
o …that were paid by you, even if from a joint account.
o …that were paid automatically during your Diary days.
o …you mailed or delivered during your Diary days.
o …that you went online to schedule or pay during your Diary days.
Do not include bills…
o …paid by others (such as members of your household), even if from a joint account.
o …you’ve already reported on Days 1, 2, or 3 of your Diary.

## New screen – for each of these screens, we want to have a title, so that the respondent will be able
to easily know what the theme of the screen is.
Household or utility payments
During the past three days, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] to
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], did you make any of the
following types of household or utility payments?




If you paid as part of a bundle or package deal, please say “Yes” to all parts of the bundle,
and then report them as one payment on the next screen.
Do not include bills you’ve already reported on Days 1, 2, or 3 of your Diary.
Remember to include any bills that were paid automatically during your Diary days.
Yes

No

(q65_01)
Rent
(q65_02)
Mortgage
(q65_03)
Home equity loan (do not include any payment made as part of
your mortgage payment)
(q65_04)
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) (do not include any payment
made as part of your mortgage payment)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

107

Version: December 5, 2019
(q65_05)
Yard maintenance (Landscaping, tree service, or snow removal, etc.)
(q65_06)
Housing maintenance (Maid, cleaning, laundry service, plumber,
handyman, etc.)
(q65_07)
Electricity
(q65_08)
Water/sewer
(q65_09)
Natural gas, propane, heating fuel, other energy
(q65_10)
Homeowner’s association or condo fees
(q65_11)
Trash collection

## New screen
IF any of q65_01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 = YES THEN
display screen
## Here, we want to display the Bill payment entry screen if any of the items on the previous
screen were equal to YES
Bill payments
You indicated that you paid the following bills:
 [BILL #1]
 …
 [BILL #n]
Please enter the payment information for those payments below, one at a time.



Complete the entire row
For automatic bill payments, select the Diary day that the money will be deducted from
your account.



For bills not paid automatically:
 Cash, check, money order or other checks: select the day you mailed or handed
over the payment.
 Payment cards (credit, debit, prepaid), bank account number payments, and
online banking bill payment: select the day you scheduled the bill payment,
regardless of whether the money will be deducted from your account that day
or at a later date.

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

108

Version: December 5, 2019
## INSTRUCTIONS TO PROGRAMMER: Show one row of our bill payments
table. We used to loop through this sequence the number of times that
is equal to the sum of all Q70 questions. Instead, now we will
Diary day
bill was
paid or
scheduled

Amount
spent

Payment method

Did you pay in
person?

Device

$____

Drop down list:
P0 – Multiple payment
methods
P1 – Cash
P2 – Check
P3 – Credit card
P4 – Debit card
P5 – Prepaid/Gift/EBT card
P6 – Bank account number
payment
P7 – Online banking bill
payment
P8 – Money order
P10 – PayPal
P11 – Account to account
transfer
P12 – Mobile phone payment
P13 – Other payment method
P14 – Direct deduction from
income

Yes
No

Drop down list:
D1 – Computer (laptop or
desktop)
D2 – Tablet (e.g. iPad,
Kindle)
D3 – Mobile phone
D4 – Landline phone
D5 – Mail or delivery
service
D8 – E-ZPass or other
electronic toll device
D6 – Some other device
not listed
D7 – No device

1. Day 1
[insert
date]
2. Day 2
[insert
date]
3. Day 3
[insert
date]

## Variable names
## How N is defined: The counter N should start at 1 more than the last payment reported in the regular
payments section on Day 3. For example, if the respondent had 5 payments on Day 3, their first bill should
have N = 6. If the respondent had 0 payments on Day 3, then N = 1.
## Variable names for the bill payment entry screen. These names are the same as the regular payment entry
screen, with the exception of bill_dday_N.








bill_dday_N
payamnt_N
paymethod_N
paylocation_N
paydevice_N
from_bill_section_N = 1. Set this value equal to 1 when the payment comes from the bills
section.

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

109

Version: December 5, 2019
## Here we should do a few things.








In the bill section, the counter “N” should be set to be 1 more than the last payment
reported on Day 3
The new variable “from_bill_section_N” should be set to 1. This variable is also used in the
main payments section, and is set to 0 when the payment comes from the main payments
section.
Set variable PAY002_N = 1 for this payment. This is because this payment is a bill.
The next screen to display is PAY001_N. This is the screen we’re calling the “Super MCAT
list”
Ask the entire merchant categorization section and payment instrument follow-up section,
exactly as if this were a payment reported on Days 1, 2, or 3.
At the end of the last question of the merchant categorization questions and the payment
instrument follow-up questions, display this screen:

## New screen
## Error Check for large dollar amounts
IF payamnt_N >= 1000 THEN
(pay003_largedollar_N)
The dollar amount you reported is unusually large. You reported an amount of
$[FILL: payamnt_N, formatted with dollar sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount.
If the dollar amount is not accurate, select “No” below and enter the correct amount on the
following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1—Yes
2—No

## If they select NO, take them back to the BILLS payment entry screen

END IF (payamnt_N >= 1000)
## New screen – bill recap screen
You indicated that you paid the following bills during the diary period, and you did not report
them on Days 1, 2, or 3 in the main payments section:
 [BILL #1]
 …
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

110

Version: December 5, 2019


[BILL #n]

If you paid one of the bills listed above two or more times, report each payment separately.
You’ve already reported the following payments:
[bill recap rows]
If you have another bill to report, select “Report another bill” and click the Next button.
Otherwise, select “Continue” and click the Next button.



1 -- Report another bill
2 -- Continue

# Here, if they click “Continue” but the number of times they’ve looped through is less than
“number_of_bills”, then display the following screen:
## New screen
(bill_continue)
Why did you report fewer payments than the number of bills you indicated that you paid?
1- I forgot to report one or more bills
2- One or more of the bills was paid in a bundle
3- Some other reason (specify)
a. [open ended text box]

IF bill_continue = 1, then take the respondent back to the
“recap” screen:

END IF (any of q65_01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 = YES)

Phone, cable, or internet payments
During the past three days, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] to
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], did you make any of the
following types of phone, cable or internet payments?

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

111

Version: December 5, 2019




If you paid as part of a bundle or package deal, please say “Yes” to all parts of the bundle,
and then report them as one payment on the next screen.
Do not include bills you’ve already reported on Days 1, 2, or 3 of your Diary.
Remember to include any bills that were paid automatically during your Diary days.
Yes

No

(q65_12)
Mobile phone
(q65_17)
Cable TV (wired/wireless/satellite)
(q65_18)
Internet
(q65_19)
Telephone (landline)

## New screen
IF any of q65_12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 = YES THEN display
screen
## Here, we want to display the Bill payment entry screen if any of the items on the previous
screen were equal to YES – see instructions above.

END IF (any of q65_12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 = YES)
Credit card or loan payments
During the past three days, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]to
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], did you make any of the
following types of credit card or loan payments?




If you paid as part of a bundle or package deal, please say “Yes” to all parts of the bundle,
and then report them as one payment on the next screen.
Do not include bills you’ve already reported on Days 1, 2, or 3 of your Diary.
Remember to include any bills that were paid automatically during your Diary days.
Yes

No

(q65_20)
Credit card bill
(q65_21)
Car, truck, motorcycle, boat, or other vehicle loan payments
(q65_22)
Student loan
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

112

Version: December 5, 2019
(q65_23)
Other types of loans

## New screen
IF any of q65_20, 21, 22, 23 = YES THEN display screen
## Here, we want to display the Bill payment entry screen if any of the items on the previous
screen were equal to YES – see instructions above.
END IF (any of q65_20, 21, 22, 23 = YES)

Insurance payments
During the past three days, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]to
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], did you make any of the
following types of insurance payments?





Only consider insurance payments made by you, not by your employer.
If you paid as part of a bundle or package deal, please say “Yes” to all parts of the bundle,
and then report them as one payment on the next screen.
Do not include bills you’ve already reported on Days 1, 2, or 3 of your Diary.
Remember to include any bills that were paid automatically during your Diary days.
Yes

No

(q65_24)
Health insurance: out-of-pocket, including Medicare supplemental insurance
(q65_25)
Vehicle insurance
(q65_26)
Homeowner’s insurance
(q65_43)
Renter’s insurance
(q65_27)
Life insurance
(q65_28)
Umbrella insurance
(q65_29)
Other types of insurance

## New screen
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

113

Version: December 5, 2019
IF any of q65_24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 = YES THEN display screen
## Here, we want to display the Bill payment entry screen if any of the items on the previous
screen were equal to YES – see instructions above.
END IF (any of q65_24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 = YES)

Other types of bill payments
During the past three days, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”] to
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], did you make any of the following
types of bill payments?





Only consider payments made by you, not by your employer.
If you paid as part of a bundle or package deal, please say “Yes” to all parts of the bundle,
and then report them as one payment on the next screen.
Do not include bills you’ve already reported on Days 1, 2, or 3 of your Diary.
Remember to include any bills that were paid automatically during your Diary days.
Yes

No

(q65_30)
Tuition, daycare, babysitting
(q65_31)
Medical or dental payments not covered by insurance (Do not include copayments made at the time of the visit)
(q65_32)
Parking (buying a weekly, monthly, or annual pass)
(q65_33)
Public transportation (buying a weekly or monthly pass for bus, subway,
ferry, etc.)
(q65_34)
Memberships or subscriptions (Gym, Netflix, social or professional club dues,
magazines, etc.)
(q65_35)
Religious contributions, monetary only (tithes, offerings, etc.)
(q65_35a) ## cnt = 42
Other charitable contributions, monetary only (United Way, Salvation Army,
Red Cross, American Cancer Society, etc.)
(q65_36)
Alimony/child support

## New screen
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

114

Version: December 5, 2019
IF any of q65_30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 35a, 36 = YES THEN display
screen
## Here, we want to display the Bill payment entry screen if any of the items on the previous
screen were equal to YES – see instructions above.
END IF (any of q65_30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 35a, 36 = YES)

Tax payments
During the past three days, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”]to
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], did you make any of the
following types of tax payments?





Exclude tax payments deducted directly from your income by your employer.
If you paid as part of a bundle or package deal, please say “Yes” to all parts of the bundle,
and then report them as one payment on the next screen.
Do not include bills you’ve already reported on Days 1, 2, or 3 of your Diary.
Remember to include any bills that were paid automatically during your Diary days.
Yes

No

(q65_37)
Federal taxes
(q65_38)
State taxes
(q65_39)
Local taxes
(q65_40)
Property taxes
(q65_41)
Car/vehicle taxes

## New screen
IF any of q65_37, 38, 39, 40, 41 = YES THEN display screen
## Here, we want to display the Bill payment entry screen if any of the items on the previous
screen were equal to YES – see instructions above.
END IF (any of q65_37, 38, 39, 40, 41 = YES)
## Last question in Bills section, after they’ve looped through the
Bills section to report each bill.
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

115

Version: December 5, 2019
(q109_otherbills)
Please tell us about any other bills that you may have paid during your diary period, but didn’t tell us
about above or during the three diary days.


If you don’t have any other bills to tell us about, click Next.
[open ended response box]

b) Types of borrowing “During these three days reminders”
## New Screen – pay620
(pay620)
During the three days of this diary, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday,
October 3”] to [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”], did you buy
any of the following that you have not already reported:
Yes No
(pay620_a)
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, other motor vehicles (new or used)
(pay620_b)
Furniture and furnishings
(pay620_c)
Household appliances
(pay620_d)
Computers, cameras, TVs, other electronics
(pay620_e)
Sports equipment, sports and recreational vehicles, and boats
(pay620_f)
Jewelry and watches
(pay620_g)
Therapeutic appliances and equipment
(pay620_h)
Real estate (house, condo, land, etc.)
IF pay620_a = YES THEN
(pay621)
During the three days of this diary, from [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example
“Wednesday, October 3”] to [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday,
October 3”], did you do any of the following?
Yes
(pay621_a)
Make a deposit on the purchase of a car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle
(new or used)
(pay621_b)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

116

No

Version: December 5, 2019
Make a down payment on the purchase of a car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor
vehicle (new or used)
(pay621_c)
Apply for an auto loan
(pay621_d)
Close on an auto loan
(pay621_e)
Pay the balance of the purchase price of a car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor
vehicle (new or used)
ENDIF

## If the diarist says YES to any row in this table pay620, show them a payment entry screen with
one row for each YES row in this table. The screen would not need merchant types. The columns
would be as follows. No payment instrument follow up questions or any other follow-ups for
these kinds of payments.

IF YES
to
pay62
0_x:
Row
text
from
table
pay62
0

Date of
payment

Amount spent

Payment
method

Did you pay in
person?

Device

Drop down:
[Day 1,
DATE]
[Day 2,
DATE]
[Day 3,
DATE]

$_________

Drop down list:
Multiple
payment
methods
Cash
Check
Credit card
Debit card
Prepaid/Gift/E
BT card
Bank account
number
payment
Online banking
bill payment
Money order
PayPal
Account-toaccount
transfer
Mobile phone
payment

Drop down list:
Yes
No

Drop down list:
D1 – Computer
(laptop or
desktop)
D2 – Tablet
(e.g. iPad,
Kindle)
D3 – Mobile
phone
D4 – Landline
phone
D5 – Mail or
delivery
service
D8 – E-ZPass or
other
electronic toll
device
D6 – Some
other device
not listed
D7 – No device

(pay620_d
ate)

(pay620_am
ount)

(pay620_pe
rson)

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

117

Version: December 5, 2019
Other payment
method
Direct deposit
from income

(pay620_de
vice)

(pay620_me
thod)

## New screen
(pay620_merch_N)
## Here, just display pay001 but give it the variable name
pay620_merch.

c) Balance – Cash stored and Checking account
## We ask at the end of Day 3 only.

Cash stored elsewhere
Please tell us the number of bills of each denomination stored elsewhere in your home, car, office, etc., on

[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
Your total dollar amount will be automatically calculated.
● Do not consider coins.
● Do not include foreign currencies.
NUMBER OF:
____ x $1 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $20 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $2 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $50 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $5 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $100 bills = $[calculated on the fly]

____ x $10 bills = $[calculated on the fly]
Total dollar amount $[GRAND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT, calculated on the fly]

## Variable names for the items above:
storedcash1_num, storedcash1_amnt
storedcash2_num, storedcash2_amnt
storedcash5_num, storedcash5_amnt
storedcash10_num, storedcash10_amnt
storedcash20_num, storedcash20_amnt
storedcash50_num, storedcash50_amnt
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

118

Version: December 5, 2019
storedcash100_num, storedcash100_amnt
storedcash_total_amnt
## New screen
IF storedcash_total_amnt > 0 THEN
(dcpc_pa015_e)
You said you have $[FILL: response for storedcash_total_amnt] in cash stored elsewhere.
About how much of that amount are you planning to use for cash payments over the next [FILL:
RANDOMIZE: 3, 7, 30] days?


About $________.00 ## Do not allow answer which is greater than storedcash_total_amnt

ENDIF (storedcash_total_amnt > 0)

## ask the checking account balance on Day 3
IF dcpc_pa001_a = 1 THEN
Please tell us the balance of your checking account as of the last day of your diary, [DISPLAY
DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
It is important for us to get an accurate measure of your balance.
Please use one of the following methods to look up your checking account balance:
 Your bank’s online banking website
 Your bank’s mobile app
 Your bank’s telephone banking system
 Your check book balance


Please report the total balance of the checking account, even if jointly owned

(pa072_a)
Balance of checking account $_______________
(pa072_a_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your checking account.
[clock widget]
ELSE IF dcpc_pa001_a >= 2 THEN

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

119

Version: December 5, 2019
Please tell us the balance of your primary checking account as of the last day of your diary,
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].
It is important for us to get an accurate measure of your balance.
Please use one of the following methods to look up your checking account balance:
 Your bank’s online banking website
 Your bank’s mobile app
 Your bank’s telephone banking system
 Your check book balance



Please report the total balance of the checking account, even if jointly owned
Your primary account is the account you use most often to make payments, not
necessarily the account with the most money in it.

(pa072_a)
Balance of primary account $_______________.00
(pa072_a_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your checking account.
[clock widget]
IF pa072_a > 10000 THEN
(pa072_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for your checking account balance is unusually large.
You reported an amount of $[FILL: value of pa072_a, formatted with dollar sign and
commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate,
select “No” below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No ## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with pa072_a
END IF (pa072_a > 10000)
ENDIF (dcpc_pa001_a)
## balance of general purpose prepaid card
IF dcpc_gpradopter = 1 THEN
(pa074_c)
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

120

Version: December 5, 2019
You told us you own a general purpose prepaid card that has money stored or loaded on to it.
You can use a general purpose prepaid card anywhere cards are accepted.
Please tell us the balance of your primary general purpose prepaid card as of the third day of
your diary, [DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].



If you have more than one general purpose prepaid card, your primary card is the
one that you use most often to make payments.
Round to the nearest dollar.

$_____________.00
(pa074_c_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your primary general purpose prepaid
card.
[clock widget]
(pa074_c_date)
Please tell us the date that you checked the balance of your primary general purpose prepaid
card.
[calendar widget]
ENDIF
IF gpr_bal > 1000 THEN
(gpr_bal_followup)
The dollar amount you reported for the balance of your primary GPR prepaid card is
unusually large. You reported an amount of [FILL: value of gpr_bal, formatted with dollar
sign and commas as necessary].
Please confirm that this is the correct amount. If the dollar amount is not accurate, select
“No” below and enter the correct amount on the following screen.
Is the amount you reported correct?
1-Yes
2-No
## if they select NO, take them back to the screen with gpr_bal
END IF (gpr_bal > 1000)
## Day 3 balance of PayPal account
IF dcpc_paypaladopter = 1 THEN
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

121

Version: December 5, 2019
(paypal_balday0)
You told us you have money stored in an account at PayPal.
Please tell us the balance of your primary PayPal account as of the third day of your diary,
[DISPLAY DIARY DATE HERE, example “Wednesday, October 3”].



If you have more than one PayPal account, your primary account is the one that you
use most often to make payments.
Round to the nearest dollar.

$_____________.00
(paypal_balday0_time)
Please tell us the time that you checked the balance of your primary PayPal account.
[clock widget]
(paypal_balday0_date)
Please tell us the date that you checked the balance of your primary PayPal account.
[small calendar widget]
ENDIF

d) Rating the diary (our questions and RAND cs_001, cs_003)
(q24)
Were the instructions / definitions and examples for filling out the paper diary and the online diary clear
and helpful to you?
1. Yes
2. No
(q25)
Please tell us how you kept track of your daily payments and cash activity. Did you…
 Check all that apply
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

…carry the large paper diary?
…carry the smaller checkbook sized diary?
…keep receipts?
…consult your financial records (bank statements, credit card statements, etc.)?
…use your memory?
…use some other method?
None of these methods

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

122

Version: December 5, 2019
IF q25 = 3
(q30)
Did you keep your receipts in the receipt bag that you received in the Fed Ex package?
1. Yes
2. No
ENDIF
IF q25 = 6
(q26)
Please tell us how you kept track of your payments and cash activity.
[open ended response box]
ENDIF
IF q25 = 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and not (1 or 2)
(q27)
Please tell us why you did not carry the large paper diary or the checkbook sized diary.
[open ended response box]
ENDIF
(q28)
Do you have any comments about the large paper diary, the checkbook sized diary, or the nightly online
diary?
[open ended response box]

e) Video??
****Finally, the video should have a few questions***
***Keep track the following things each time the video is watched:
1. Who watched it.
2. When they watched it. (time and date)
3. How much of it they watched (the length of time)
4. Ask them to rate the video (1-5 stars)
(cs_004)
Did you watch the instructional video for this diary?
1. Yes
2. No
## cs_005 and cs_006 on the same screen
IF cs_004 = YES THEN
(cs_005)
Was the video helpful to your diary experience?
1. Yes
2. No
©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

123

Version: December 5, 2019

(cs_006)
Do you have any comments on the instructional video?
[open ended response box]
END IF

****Wrap-up questions at the end of each survey****
(cs_001)
Could you tell us how interesting or uninteresting you found the questions in this interview?
1. Very interesting
2. Interesting
3. Neither interesting nor uninteresting
4. Uninteresting
5. Very uninteresting.
(cs_003)
Do you have any other comments on the interview?
Please type these in the box below.

f) End of Day 3 text
Thank you for completing the final day of your diary.

©2010–2018 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Proprietary and Confidential. Do not release or disclose to unauthorized parties without
the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

124