Government must act more fiscally responsible. The government must put the brakes on an economy it has allowed to run free, and citizens must be willing to support a government that will act tough in the domestic market in order to lower interest rates, reduce inflationary pressure, and increase employment. (Author/RM)

The author comments on the decline in the rate of capital formation and the problems of rising unit costs due to hours paid for, but not worked. (CT)

Presents a straightforward method for evaluating lease versus borrow (buy) decisions illustrated with actual financing cost data reported to new car purchasers. States that individuals should consider after-tax cash flows associated with alternative arrangements, time in which cash flow occurs, and opportunity cost of capital to identify the least…

Discusses some of the underlying motivations of business with regard to the aging population of consumers and examines those of mature consumers as perceived by business. Proposes a partnership between business and the network of aging consumers. Presents a case study of the partnership between Rubbermaid and the Wise Owls. (Author/JOW)

Discusses the nature of consumer economics (the interactions between individuals and families and the markets for goods and services) and family economics (the interaction between families and work and workplace and the allocation of resources within the family). (JOW)

Focuses upon gambling, the twelfth largest industry in the United States, and its impact on families. Discusses the history of gambling, the cost of gambling, and the growth of lotteries. Suggests issues for consumer professionals to explore. (JOW)

In this article, the authors briefly describe key issues central to what Spring (2007) refers to as the "industrial-consumer paradigm" and the role of English as the global language characterized by what Harvey (1990) called "time and space compression." The authors also comment and provide a critique of some of its primary…

Back when markets hinged on local contacts, product standardization wasn't a concern. When higher education was thought to be mainly about educating citizens, standardization wasn't much of a concern, either. Standardization has come later to higher education than to other commodities markets, but it has arrived. As with other commodities, unit…

Argues that quotas are an inefficient means of achieving protectionist goals. Elaborates that, for a given distortion of trade, national income will be lower, and for a given configuration of political-economic forces, the market for protection will yield a worse distortion under a quota regime. (BSR)

The combination of consumer mathematics and economics has the potential to make a sizable contribution in preparing students to become effective consumers. Students must understand economic as well as mathematical concepts, and consumers need to adapt to changing economic conditions and life styles. (JOW)

Explains how instruction about the Consumer Price Index can help students learn about the effects of inflation, how to change patterns of consumption, and the effects of consumer choices. (SK)

Points out that, although the elderly have been viewed historically as a sympathetic and vulnerable group, a reasonable case can be made that they represent a critical consumer group. (JOW)

The guidelines described here were developed to help novices to microcomputer hardware develop an increased understanding of the different types of microcomputer hardware available. (Author)

Describes the alternative financial sector, which provides low-income consumers with a range of services such as rental-purchase agreements, pawn shops, refund anticipation loans, postdated checks, money orders, and check cashing outlets. (JOW)

Describes equity leasing, a program that enables people to acquire housing without an up-front investment but with an incentive to maintain and improve the property. Under this proposal, lessees would acquire a leasehold interest in a house and own the right to use the property for a continuously extended lease term. (JOW)