That part of consumption which does not depend on current income. If aggregate consumption, C, is given by C = a + bY_d, where Y_d is disposable income, a can be regarded as autonomous consumption. a > 0 because even those with no income need to consume to live, and can finance expenditure by running down assets or borrowing. The level of a is influenced by total assets held, expectations of future income or acquisitions of assets through legacies, and social conventions about minimal acceptable standards of living.