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)

To teach money management effectively, an examination of credit use today and a profile of the person in financial trouble are needed. If credit patterns and bankruptcy are understood, recommendations can be made about curriculum content for money management. (SK)

To show a variety of possible instructional options, the consumer education programs of seven high schools are briefly described. Six of the descriptions concern specific course offerings, the seventh cites a teacher's resource center for consumer education in Philadelphia. Addresses and contact persons are listed. (SJL)

Household meal planners (n=1,498) were surveyed. Characteristics of those who perceive nutrition to be important in food shopping were as follows: black, female, higher education level, nonworking, and/or urban. Results could guide design of nutrition information and food marketing programs. (SK)

A sample of 78 (of 320) home gardeners use rules of thumb (heuristics) to choose between chemical pesticides and nonchemical alternatives. Pesticides rank low in 24 choice attributes where alternatives rank high, and vice versa. Gender, age, and years of pesticide use correlate with pesticide selection. (SK)

A survey of 1,200 midwesterners received 643 replies identifying factors affecting tendency to read and use product owner's manuals: (1) product familiarity and lack of time negatively affected use; (2) having a question or problem increased use; and (3) perceived value of information (i.e., redundant or obvious information) deterred use. (SK)

Explains how the Truth in Savings Act can be used to teach students how to calculate interest, understand terms related to savings accounts, and use financial calculators. (SK)

Technology educators must increase students' awareness about the problems related to misguided consumerism. Consumption has influenced technological innovations throughout history, and students need to make responsible decisions about the need to accumulate things. (JOW)

The president of Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. discusses three reasons why consumers should be discontent: (1) many are struggling financially and national leaders are working to make their conditions more harsh; (2) many products result from abusive and exploitative working conditions; and (3) consumption can cause severe environmental damage.…

Results of a study to examine the recycling practices and needs of older adults (n=217) indicated that older adults do recycle traditional materials, but need accommodations for physical limitations. They report textile recycling as time consuming and difficult and used donations to religious organizations as their principal means of textile…

The mission of Foods and Nutrition Education is to prepare students for family life, community life and careers in the foods and nutrition fields by creating opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors needed to: (1) Analyze career paths within the foods and nutrition industry; (2) Examine factors that influence food…

This report explains savings accounts and low-deposit investments in order to help consumers determine which accounts are right for them. It is divided into the following four sections (topics covered are listed in parentheses): (1) the savings program (setting savings goals, saving regularly, choosing a savings account, interest, the savings…

Describes an innovative consumer education curriculum at Dartmouth Middle School in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. (JA)

Consumer education teachers can help their students become better investors by providing them with a background in commodity futures. (AG)

Article defined the meaning of the CP Seal and how it affects the art materials that children purchase. (RK)