Daily Essentials Spending Calculator
How much do you spend on essentials?
Calculate your monthly spending on daily necessities and see how it compares to global averages
Spending Analysis
Total essentials spending: $0
That's 0% of your income
Global average: 25-60% for food alone
When you think about what humans buy the most, you might picture the latest smartphone or a trendy sneaker. But the real answer isn’t glamorous-it’s everyday, boring, and everywhere. People don’t buy luxury to survive. They buy basics to live. And if you’re building a manufacturing startup, that’s where the real opportunity lies.
Food and drink are the #1 thing humans spend money on
Every single person on Earth buys food. Every day. That’s not a guess-it’s data. According to the World Bank, households globally spend an average of 25% to 60% of their income on food, depending on income level. In low-income countries, it’s over half. Even in wealthy nations like Australia or the U.S., food and beverages still take up the largest chunk of monthly spending after housing.
It’s not just groceries. It’s bottled water, coffee, snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and packaged snacks. The global packaged food market hit $1.8 trillion in 2024. That’s bigger than the entire automotive industry. And it’s growing because people want convenience, safety, and variety-not just cheap food.
Startups that focus on local, shelf-stable, or nutritionally enhanced food products are winning. Think of plant-based protein bars made with Australian chickpeas, or shelf-stable curry pastes sold in recyclable pouches. These aren’t fancy. But they solve real problems: time, waste, and taste.
Personal care and hygiene products are non-negotiable
People will skip a new pair of shoes. They won’t skip soap, toothpaste, or menstrual products. These are daily essentials. The global personal care market is worth over $1.5 trillion. And it’s not dominated by big brands alone. Smaller manufacturers are carving out space by focusing on clean ingredients, refillable packaging, and local sourcing.
In Brisbane, for example, demand for plastic-free shampoo bars and bamboo toothbrushes has jumped 40% since 2022. People aren’t just buying products-they’re buying values. A small manufacturer making biodegradable sanitary pads from banana fiber isn’t selling a product. They’re solving a problem that affects half the population and has been ignored for decades.
The trick? Don’t try to beat Procter & Gamble. Beat them by being local, transparent, and specific. Make a product that’s better for your neighborhood, not just cheaper.
Clothing and footwear are huge-but not in the way you think
Yes, people buy clothes. But they don’t buy them because they’re trendy. They buy them because they need them. The average person owns 120 items of clothing and buys 60 new pieces a year. But 80% of those purchases are replacements: worn-out socks, torn jeans, faded t-shirts.
That’s the gap. Fast fashion thrives on novelty. But a manufacturing startup can thrive on durability. Think: reinforced workwear for tradespeople, moisture-wicking uniforms for aged care workers, or socks made with recycled ocean plastic that last 3x longer than standard ones.
One small factory in regional Queensland started making durable work boots with steel toes and vegan leather. They didn’t advertise on Instagram. They partnered with local mining contractors. Within 18 months, they were supplying 12 sites across Queensland. Their secret? They fixed a real pain point: boots that split after 3 months. They made one that lasted 2 years.
Household essentials are the quiet giants
Think about your kitchen. What do you replace every month? Trash bags. Dish soap. Paper towels. Cleaning wipes. These aren’t exciting. But they’re bought in billions.
The global household cleaning products market is worth $210 billion. And it’s being reshaped by eco-conscious buyers. A startup in Adelaide began making concentrated cleaning tablets that dissolve in water. You buy a tiny tablet, add water to a reusable bottle, and you’ve got a full bottle of all-purpose cleaner. No plastic. No shipping weight. No waste.
They started with one product. Now they supply 300 local grocery stores. Their customer retention rate? 82%. Why? Because people hate buying plastic bottles. They’re happy to pay 15% more if it’s better for the planet.
What people buy the most isn’t about trends-it’s about need
Here’s the truth: if you’re trying to build a manufacturing startup based on what’s “hot,” you’ll fail. TikTok trends die in months. But the need for clean water, safe food, and reliable hygiene products? That’s permanent.
The most successful manufacturing startups aren’t the ones with the flashiest packaging. They’re the ones solving the invisible problems:
- People in rural areas can’t find affordable sanitary products
- Small businesses can’t source durable uniforms locally
- Families want to reduce plastic without paying double
- Workers need gear that doesn’t fall apart after a week
These aren’t sexy problems. But they’re universal. And they’re massive.
How to turn buying habits into a manufacturing business
So how do you start? Don’t begin with a machine. Begin with a person.
- Find a product people buy every week-something they complain about.
- Ask: Why is it bad? Is it too expensive? Too wasteful? Too hard to find?
- Build a version that fixes one thing really well.
- Test it with 10 local customers. Not friends. Real buyers.
- Scale only when you have repeat purchases.
One man in Townsville started making reusable lunch wraps from food-grade silicone. He didn’t have a factory. He sewed them in his garage. He sold them at farmers markets. After 6 months, he had 500 repeat customers. Now he supplies 12 schools and two major supermarkets. His profit margin? 70%.
You don’t need a billion-dollar factory. You need to solve one small, stubborn problem better than anyone else.
The hidden truth: People buy habits, not products
When you buy toothpaste, you’re not buying calcium carbonate and fluoride. You’re buying the habit of brushing your teeth. When you buy trash bags, you’re buying the habit of keeping your home clean.
Manufacturing startups that win are the ones that become part of that routine. They don’t sell a thing. They sell a ritual.
That’s why local, reliable, and repeatable wins every time. You can’t compete with Amazon on price. But you can compete on trust. On availability. On being there when someone needs it-right now, in their town.
Look around you. What’s broken? What’s wasteful? What’s overpriced? That’s your starting point. Not a business plan. Not a pitch deck. Just one problem. One solution. One person who says, ‘I wish I had this.’
That’s how real manufacturing businesses are built. Not by chasing trends. But by fixing what people already buy-every single day.
What are the top 5 things humans buy the most globally?
The top five are: 1) Food and beverages, 2) Personal care and hygiene products, 3) Clothing and footwear (especially replacements), 4) Household cleaning supplies, and 5) Fuel and transportation-related items. These aren’t luxury goods-they’re daily necessities that every human needs, regardless of income or location.
Why do people keep buying the same products over and over?
People buy the same products repeatedly because they’re essential to daily life. Socks wear out. Toothpaste runs out. Trash bags get full. These aren’t impulse buys-they’re scheduled, recurring needs. That’s why subscription models and refill systems are growing so fast. Businesses that make it easy to restock win.
Can a small manufacturer compete with big brands on price?
No, not directly. Big brands have economies of scale that small makers can’t match. But you don’t need to compete on price. You compete on value: better materials, local sourcing, eco-packaging, or solving a specific problem big brands ignore. People will pay more for something that works better or feels right.
What’s the easiest manufacturing startup to launch with low investment?
The easiest is producing concentrated household cleaners or refillable personal care products. You need basic mixing equipment, reusable containers, and a small workspace. The raw materials are cheap. The demand is high. And customers love the reduced plastic waste. Many start by selling at farmers markets or online before scaling.
How do I know if my product idea will actually sell?
Test it with real buyers before you make more than 50 units. Go to local markets, community centers, or small shops. Offer samples. Ask: ‘Would you buy this? How much would you pay?’ If 10 people say yes and give you money on the spot, you have a real product-not just an idea.