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TOPIC:
CONSUMPTION RESPONSES TO INCOME SHOCKS THROUGH LOTTERY WINNING
ABSTRACT
We study the effects of unearned income via lottery winning on consumption using newly available, nationally representative household survey day. We find that a $1 increase of lottery prize in the last 12 months raises monthly total consumption expenditure by $0.09. This consumption response is mainly driven by increases in non-durable spending. Our heterogeneity analyses provide further evidence on possible mechanisms of consumption responses to an income shock. The consumption responses to a $1 increase in lottery prize are larger among households that have stronger liquidity constraint, a shorter-term time horizon for financial planning, and greater risk aversion.