Behavioral economics and its concept of nudges are rapidly influencing the design of community-based financial education programs. This article addresses why nudges can be useful tools for effective financial education, explains the different types of nudges introduced by behavioral economics research, presents evidence of their effectiveness from…

Strong basic literacy and numeracy skills are important foundations for making sound financial decisions. Curriculum design, pedagogical methods and stakeholder involvement can all be harnessed to build student financial knowledge and well-being. This "Trends Shaping Education Spotlight" touches on growing financial risks for…

The near-collapse of the American financial system has led to a search for its causes and ways to prevent it from happening again. Many political leaders blame at least some of the sub-prime mortgage crisis on mistakes caused by financially "illiterate" consumers and propose to solve that problem with mandatory classes in personal finance.…

Article discusses various means consumers can utilize to stretch personal and family resources to cover needs and as many of their wants as possible. (Editor)

This booklet on financial plans, 1 in a series of 12, covers all the basic aspects of personal- and family-money management. Suitable for use by high school and college students as well as adults, this handbook presents an easy-to-use plan for managing income and reaching financial goals. The importance of planning is discussed first. The next…

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…

The article discusses ways to implement a broadened consumer economics curriculum at the secondary level to include personal and household budgeting and purchasing, consumer credit, bank services, savings and loans, credit unions, insurance, investments, and taxation. (MF)

This report identifies the need of counselors of various persuasions to be trained not only in psychodynamics and interpersonal relations, but also for understanding the mileau in which the dynamics operate. In a complex technological society those professionals working with families need both these skills in interpersonal facilitation and…

This booklet is designed to help first-time car buyers determine if they can or should buy a car and how to get the most from their car-buying dollar. Leasing and renting options also are discussed. The booklet outlines the process of buying a new car, starting with a review of sizes, types, and features. This is followed by a rundown on showroom…

Both the Financial Services Authority and the Basic Skills Agency are committed to supporting those individuals and organisations working to improve the financial capability of themselves and others. The development of the National Strategy for Financial Capability, coordinated by the Financial Services Authority, and the commissioning of a…

The article gives procedures for consumer foods teachers to use to actively involve students in making independent food purchasing decisions according to the school foods lab budget and food buying principles. Included are forms used to keep records for each lab: unit bank account, meat lab evaluation, and market order. (MF)

Problems of people in debt are briefly discussed; recommendations are made for future home economics programs in family financial and debt management that would help to remedy the lack of knowledge and skills of the American consumer in these areas. (TA)

This module is one of a set prepared in conjunction with the Title I "Project to Train Volunteer Leaders to Conduct Consumer Education Courses." It is designed to be a basic text for use in making a one-hour presentation on personal money management. Topics include reasons for having a budget and guidelines for successful budgeting, elements of a…

The Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Consumer Education Association produced this lesson plan book as a resource for teachers as they implement the consumer education mandate in secondary schools. Classroom instruction ideas, techniques, and lessons were provided by teachers from Illinois. A committee of consumer…

Lesson plans are provided for use with different populations of pre-K through senior high school students in four different areas of consumer education. Eight units in advertising are included: A First Look at Ads (pre-K-Grade 3), Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover (Grades 1-3), Fatal Distraction (Junior High), Package Labeling (Junior High), Product…