Prospective distance education students are faced with a bewildering number of choices in selecting an institution that is best suited to achieving their educational goals. They also face a confusing forest of institutions' promotional claims of being the best or most respected school. This primer is intended to help the prospective student of an…

Freezer burn is a common problem that significantly affects the color, texture, and flavor of frozen foods. Food science students should be able to clearly explain the causes and consequences of freezer burn. However, it is difficult to find a modern, detailed, accurate, yet concise, explanation of the mechanism and factors influencing the rate of…

Financial literacy refers to the ability to make informed judgements and to take effective decisions regarding the use and management of money. A baseline survey carried out by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) in 2006 highlighted many issues: (1) 29% of 16-4-year-olds said they would not know how to prepare and manage a weekly budget; (2) 19%…

Designed for first-time borrowers, this pamphlet describes the basics of credit as a part of personal financial planning. Following a self-quiz (with answers) that tests the reader's knowledge of credit, the pamphlet provides guidelines for responsible credit use and outlines steps to take if debt problems occur. Topics covered include the…

This teacher resource manual and student activities economics education unit provides students with the opportunity to use economic content and related skills as they learn about the U.S. economic system and its relationship to the world economy. The lessons link to economic content and other subject areas traditionally taught in grades 5, 6, and…

This illustrated guide was designed to familiarize consumers with planning a vacation trip, whether domestic or abroad. The guide covers setting up a budget; package tours; cruises and charter flights; travel agencies and clubs; and arranging stays in hotels/motels, rental condominiums, bed-and-breakfasts, hostels, campsites, and private…

This guide to supermarket shopping begins with a study of the American food shopper. The major types of shoppers and their needs are identified. Chapter 2 discusses planning at home. Topics include preparation of a comprehensive list, using coupons, impulse buying, and comparison shopping. Chapter 3 focuses on the actual shopping experience. Unit…

This guide to supermarket shopping provides information in an outline format. It first covers preliminary activities such as determining family needs, shopping on a budget, and planning at home. A number of suggestions are then made for the actual shopping. Topics include shopper aids (unit pricing, nutritional labeling, freshness coding), store…

This student/teacher resource booklet provides information on conserving food dollars while providing nutritious meals. The guide shows how to set up a food budget and explains how scanning the weekly food ads, planning meals around the specials, and compiling a list accordingly can also help consumers get more for their food dollars. Numerous…

This booklet is a simple, practical guide for managing money. It provides advice to help the reader balance expenses with income and get personal finances in order. The booklet takes the reader step by step through the processes involved in setting up a basic financial plan and shows him/her how to tailor it to fit personal needs. It explains how…

Activities for helping students learn to read and interpret labels on food packages are included. Worksheets guide students in examining labels and making sense of the information. (MNS)

This booklet gives young people who are just starting out on their own with a small income the information they need to manage their money. The following topics are discussed: how individuals can determine how much money they will have to live on; how to read a pay stub; Social Security and the future; the importance of putting money in the bank…

The booklet is an informational and educational tool designed to help a consumer do three things: (1) to communicate more effectively with those who provide the products and services he or she buys; (2) to locate sources of help; and (3) to resolve complaints in the most effective manner. The booklet contains two major parts. Part 1, "How To…

This guide is intended for use in a consumer education course designed to teach consumers to get the most out of their dollar when shopping for and preparing food. The kit is divided into a series of sections containing activities and fact sheets that are designed to guide the consumer through a successful shopping trip. The following topics are…

This booklet provides guidelines for buying major home appliances from ranges and refrigerators to washers and dryers, as well as wood and upholstered furniture, and bedding and floor coverings, with helpful charts to make selection easier. It begins with suggestions on how to furnish within one's means. Next, information on equipping the home…