This economic education publication features an article, "Does Consumer Confidence Measure Up to the Hype?," which defines consumer confidence and describes how it is measured. The article also explores why people might pay so much attention to consumer confidence indexes. The document also contains a question and answer section about deflation as…

This issue focuses on commodities trading as an essential economic tool. Activities include critical thinking about marketing decisions and discussion on how futures markets and options are used as important economic tools. Discussion questions and a special student project are included. (EH)

This booklet focuses on the economic concept of "value added" to goods and services. A student activity worksheet illustrates how the steps involved in processing food are examples of the concept of value added. The booklet further links food processing to the idea of value added to the Gross National Product (GNP). Discussion questions,…

The analysis of public goods is presented with a discussion of the rules for fertilizer and pesticide storage units in Indiana. A basic rule summary is presented with descriptions of the types of dikes that might be considered for containment. Estimated costs are projected along with the number of contained liquid fertilizer spills by size in…

Analysis of the world market and trade deficits and surpluses are used to examine global economics. The GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) is discussed and presented with the various perspectives on the agreement. A forecast for economics of the '90s and a quiz are included. (EH)

Comparisons of average food prices and hourly wages based on 40-hours work week in various capital cities of the world are presented. Such factors as mechanization, chemicals, and improved genetics have resulted in greater productivity, fewer but larger farms, and hardier plants and animals. The economic effects are discussed as they are felt by…

A study used data from the Employee Benefits Surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to examine the influence of employer-provided retiree health insurance on retirement decisions. The analysis found that most coverage is similar to that of active workers but takes Medicare into consideration, and requires retiring workers to meet…

This material asks social studies students in Canada to recognize the implications of the lifestyles of citizens in developed countries, and the power that consumers have to create change for a better world, to be agents of positive development. Development is seen as a four faceted process. This model implies that development is an approach to…

This document consists of all 10 issues of this annual journal issued during the 10 year period 1983-1992. Major articles include the following: "What Should We Teach about Shopping by Mail?" (Cude, Walker); "Family Adaptation to Economic Change" (Krein et al.); "Differences in Teenage Consumer Actions Related to Employment, Sex, and Consumer…

A card game, "Mercado," or Market Rummy, designed to teach basic market skills to rural Ecuadorians is described. Two to five people can play the game, which is presently used in night community meetings and in the educational program in coastal cooperatives. The game consists of two decks of cards: one represents money, the other…

Highlights from a survey of educational practices of personal finance teachers and resource materials for emerging topics are provided. Of the 6,100 secondary teachers in the United States and Canada who received questionnaires, 1,400 responded. With over 30 states having personal finance or consumer economics guidelines, personal finance courses…

Among the 25 refereed papers, 14 refereed poster sessions, 17 invited papers, and 14 panel/workshop sessions are the following: "Forces Driving Change in Food Safety" (Foreman); "Are Two Incomes Needed to Get Ahead Today?" (Walden); "Financial Manager Profile Scale" (Lytton, Grable); "Real World Financial…

Compiled to give readers information on current research in household production, this special issue focuses on the family as a provider of goods and services. It includes five feature articles, a summary of a survey of American farm women, and a brief analysis of sources of time-use data for estimating the value of household production. Covered…

This annual publication contains 66 presentations, poster sessions, papers, and panel and workshop sessions. Invited and refereed papers are as follows: "View from the States" (Humphrey); "Consumer Policy Perspectives" (Byrne); "Consumers' Response to Credit Card Solicitations" (Hogarth, Shue); "Welfare Impact of…

This project was developed to provide a consumer information dissemination plan for North Dakota vocational home economics instructors as well as for the state laboratories consumer affairs office. Seventy-two people representing teachers, state government, business and industry, and consumers participated in two workshops to identify consumer…