22.7 percent of married women made decisions when buying houses, cars or other valuables by themselves; and 77.3 percent of those made decisions after discussion with their husbands, a sample survey on female consumption in eight Chinese cities 2005 conducted by Huakun Female Survey Center shows. Their personal fondness will greatly influence major household consumption to some extent.

The survey also shows that 46.5 percent of married women budget their personal incomes, and 51.3 percent put income together with their husbands' and only 2.2 percent turn over incomes to their husbands.

Women aged between 31 and 40 spend much more money on their appearance, recreation and bodybuilding, cosmetics, clothing as well as books than women who do not belong to this age group. It is said that they are of the strongest purchasing power.

By People's Daily Online