The pie charts show changes in American spending patterns between 1966 and 1996.

These two pie charts illustrate the expenditures of American people in different categories from 1966 and 1996.

Overall

Linking Words

,

food

Use synonyms

accounted for the largest share of individuals’ expenses in 1966,

whereas

Linking Words

computer goods made up the least significant part of the chart.

In contrast

Linking Words

, cars were the most popular type of expenditure in 1996, whilst book expenditures were the least share in that year. Looking at the details, in the year 1966,

food

Use synonyms

and cars accounted for the biggest proportion of spending with 44% and 23% respectively.

Besides

Linking Words

, people were willing to spend on petrol and furniture an average of 9,5% of their money on, whilst restaurants and

food

Use synonyms

amounted to an average of 6,5%. As for computers, it was the least popular type in 1966, with a modest 1%. Meanwhile, in 1996, the highest outgoings were on cars, on average, by 22% more than in 1966. There was a reduction in

food

Use synonyms

spending by a hefty 30% which made

food

Use synonyms

the second highest type.

Moreover

Linking Words

, outgoings on petrol and furniture experienced a negligible decrease to 8%. As for money for restaurants, the figures doubled over the whole period in question.

In contrast

Linking Words

, expenses on books showed a significant fall to a mere 1%. Computers share rose considerably, rocketing to 10% from 1%.