October 6, 2011 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Consumer spending patterns, 2008–2010

Average annual consumer expenditures for selected components, 2008–2010
Component	2008	2009	2010
Mortgage interest and charges	$3,826	$3,594	$3,351
Healthcare	2,976	3,126	3,157
Food away from home	2,698	2,619	2,505
Gasoline and motor oil	2,715	1,986	2,132
Cash contributions	1,737	1,723	1,633

These data are featured in the TED article, Consumer spending patterns, 2008–2010.

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