The booklet identifies consumer skills which a committee of the Michigan Consumers Council believes are essential for students to master prior to graduation from high school. The purpose of the document is to give direction to school districts and teachers on which consumer education skills are needed. The booklet does not contain teaching methods for consumer education nor does it advise in which discipline the topic should be taught. Skills are listed in eight categories: selecting products and services, perceiving the influence of advertising, buying on credit, understanding economics, making money work (in real estate, investments, and insurance), recognizing rip-offs, understanding health and nutrition, and seeking help from the government. The skills are defined in terms of actions, such as "Identify when to borrow or rent a product rather than buy it,""Differentiate between the six types of homeowners' insurance policies," and "Explain the procedure for filing a claim in small claims court." (AV)