In her article, the author is analysing the changes in the pattern of expenditure made by households that occurred in Poland in 1995-2006. The surveys show that over that period there decreased, in total expenditure by Polish households, shares of expenses on foods, clothes and footwear, and — to a minor extent — on education; however, there took place an increase in the share of expenses on use of flats and energy carriers, healthcare, transport and communication as well as — interesting enough — on recreation and culture. In the majority of socioeconomic groups of Polish households, there has been outlined the so-called industrial model of consumption.