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The Absentminded Consumer

Author

Listed:
  • John Leahy
  • Andrew Caplin

Abstract

We develop a life-cycle model that captures "absent-mindedness": the fact that many households have only the sketchiest understanding of their pattern of spending. The model generates precautionary spending, whereby absent-minded agents tend to consume more than attentive ones. The model also predicts fluctuations over time in the level of attention, and thereby sheds new light on the sharp reduction in consumption both at retirement, and in cyclical downturns. Finally, the model suggests strong analogies between control problems of the sort encountered by our absent-minded consumer and the more familiar problems of self control. We test the model on data collected from a new survey of TIAA-CREF participants

Suggested Citation

  • John Leahy & Andrew Caplin, 2004. "The Absentminded Consumer," 2004 Meeting Papers 784, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:sed004:784
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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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