RATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR GENERATING INCOME BY CONSUMERS: EMPIRICAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Abstract

In economics, a person's disposal of the money available is described by rational strategies for distributing income between different types of expenses. The research is based on strategies used by the Russian population to generate income and savings. These strategies are not always rational; they increase the risk of loss of financial resources, as well as the emergence of threats to economic security, and the criminalization of economic relations. The article discusses theoretical foundations and empirical characteristics of strategies for generating income from the available funds of the consumer. It is shown that consumer’s behavior in economics is described in terms of rationality and subjectivity. The strategy of obtaining additional income is determined by the rational desire of the consumer to maximize profits and reduce the risks of losses. Subjective preferences influence the choice of a particular strategy. An empirical study of consumer’s behavior has shown that the rationality of income can be predicted by the savings strategy and the level of financial literacy of the consumer. Rational behavior is characterized by active investment in securities, foreign currency, coupled with the choice of cost-effective behavior model. Irrational behavior is spending money without seeking to extract income from the available money supply, or investing in financial products with a low interest rate, or without taking into account possible risks. The consumer's financial literacy statistically influences the choice of the accumulation strategy. High and medium levels of financial literacy are associated with investment strategies for accumulation, while low levels are associated with additional employment. The results of the study show the prospects for correcting risks when implementing strategies for obtaining additional income for the population by increasing financial literacy.