This report presents guidelines to help homeowners, renters, and condominium owners purchase and maintain adequate insurance coverage for their residences and personal property. Types of property coverage discussed include the following: (1) standard policies and exclusions; (2) special programs (earthquake insurance, federal programs for…

This report offers suggestions on finding, planning, and financing a home rehabilitation project. Information on finding a "fixer-upper" includes deciding where to look, learning what to look for in a house and neighborhood, learning about local building and zoning codes, deciding what characteristics of houses and neighborhoods are…

Designed to assist prospective buyers in making such important decisions as whether to buy a new or older home and within what price range, the guide provides information on the purchase process. Discussion of the purchase process covers the life-cycle costs (recurring homeownership costs that must be met every month); selection of a home;…

This booklet provides consumers with an overview of information about life insurance. Chapter 1, "Why Life Insurance?" outlines the primary purposes of life insurance coverage and presents basic facts about the Canadian life insurance industry. Chapter 2, "Do I Need Life Insurance?" discusses life insurance coverage at specific…

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…

Designed to assist prospective buyers in making such important decisions as whether to buy a new or older home and within what price range, the guide, written in Spanish, provides information on the purchase process. Discussion of the purchase process covers the life-cycle costs (recurring homeownership costs that must be met every month);…

Details ten areas of mistakes child care centers make in purchasing supplies and equipment from early childhood catalogs: (1) seller reliability; (2) shipping costs; (3) product quality; (4) outdated catalog; (5) bulk discounts; (6) incomplete order forms; (7) duplicate orders; (8) availability; (9) checking order; and (10) protecting good credit.…

Alternatives to the normal detail bid specifications usually required for public institutions of higher education to purchase computer software are examined. It is suggested that the request for proposal method described offers the consumer a better understanding of individual software vendors' products. (Author/SF)

This paper discusses the most frequently used rental items for university outdoor programs and describes strategies for saving money in purchasing equipment. A 1983 survey of 11 university programs indicated that the most frequently available rental items for summer and winter were sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, cross-country skis, and…

The purchaser of wooden play equipment should check a variety of manufacturers before selecting a specific brand. The "Value Comparison Method" of purchasing playground equipment allows the consumer to make a valid comparison of many types of equipment. (JN)

This article describes how classroom discussion and field trips can be used to teach students with disabilities to engage in comparative shopping and informed choice making when they dine in fast food restaurants. (JDD)

This guide is intended to assist curriculum planners and classroom teachers in designing and implementing personal finance instruction to meet a variety of student needs, interests, and abilities. It is organized under five concept areas: employment and income, money management, credit, purchase of goods and services, and rights and…

Play is a natural activity for children that provides opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and socially. These two booklets offer toy selection advice from the government agency charged with protecting the public against unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products. The first booklet outlines toy choices for: (1)…

This handbook for consumers begins with information on its use, content, and other sources of help. The handbook is then divided into two sections. Part I, How to Be a Smart Consumer, lists tips on getting the most for your money, handling your own complaint, and writing a complaint letter. It provides information on the following consumer issues:…

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…