Alltagswirtschaft

Alltagswirtschaft, or everyday economy, is the set of economic practices that individuals and households engage in as part of daily life. It covers decisions about time, money, and resources that occur outside formal market transactions, including budgeting, shopping, meal planning, energy and resource use, domestic work, informal exchanges, and self-provisioning. The concept emphasizes how people manage scarce resources in familiar, routine contexts.

Theoretical approaches to Alltagswirtschaft draw from economics, sociology, anthropology, and gender studies. It examines how households allocate resources to maximize well‑being under constraints such as income, time, and social norms. Related strands include household economics and time-use research, which analyze opportunity costs, budgeting, and labor division. Empirical study employs time-use surveys, diary methods, ethnography, and analysis of consumption data, ranging from neighborhood studies to national statistics, to reveal patterns of spending, work, and informal exchange.

Relevance and implications lie in understanding consumer behavior, energy and housing choices, and the distribution of caregiving and domestic labor. Insights into Alltagswirtschaft inform policy areas such as consumer protection, taxation, subsidies, energy efficiency programs, and social welfare. Critics note measurement challenges, the risk of undervaluing unpaid or informal work, and the potential for overgeneralization. A balanced view recognizes the diversity of practices across social groups, cultures, and technologies, including the role of digital platforms and sharing economies in shaping everyday economic life.