Consumer Education Unit - Don't get ripped off!

Here are some links to resources for our Consumer Education unit. You may and should use other sources, but these should get you started.

1 - Why am I broke all the time?
http://www.myliferoi.com/2009/10/budgeting-worksheet-for-teens/
http://www.themint.org/teens/tracking.html
http://www.themint.org/teens/determine-your-budget.html
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/finances/budgets.htm
http://www.dinkytown.net/java/HomeBudget.html

2 - What security deposit?
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/on_your_own.htm
http://www.tenant.org/
http://www.mytwodollars.com/2008/01/16/a-few-tips-for-first-time-apartment-renters/
http://ezinearticles.com/?Leasing-Planning-for-First-time-Apartment-Rental-Expenses&id=625503
http://data.cmap.illinois.gov/chicagoareahousing.org//Allinfo.asp?audience=r

3 - Pay myself first?
http://www.fool.com/how-to-invest/thirteen-steps/step-1-change-your-life-with-one-calculation.aspx?source=ii1sitlnk0000001
http://www.themint.org/teens/saving.html
http://www.themint.org/teens/compounding-calculator.html

4 - As seen on TV:
http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/
http://www.icbs.com/kb/marketing/kb_marketing-psychological-tricks-in-selling.htm
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~taflinge/words.html
http://www.factcheck.org/
http://www.cracked.com/article_15768_as-seen-on-tv-10-most-laughably-misleading-ads.html
https://www.adbusters.org/gallery/spoofads

5 - The story of stuff.
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/03/how_much_does_a_pair_of_jeans.html
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumption-and-consumerism
https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd
http://www.verdant.net/
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/how-to-avoid-being-enslaved-by-consumerism.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/alex_steffen_sees_a_sustainable_future.html

6 - Scams, spam and getting slammed:
http://www.snopes.com/
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/buying_goods_and_services.htm
http://chicago.bbb.org/consumers/
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/technology/personaltech/20basics.html?src=me&ref=general

7 - I wish my parents were rich!
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/finances/financing_college.htm
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/
http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/ep/wizard-home.jsp

8 - But I thought I was making 10 bucks an hour...
http://www.themint.org/teens/earning.html
http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/
http://www.dinkytown.net/java/HomeBudget.html

9 - Pay the man.
http://www.freefile.irs.gov/
http://www.helium.com/items/159765-income-tax-tips-for-first-time-filers-the-w-2-your-first-step
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/news/20040130a1.asp
http://www.irs.gov/
http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/

10 - Oh Lord, Won't ya buy me a Mercedes Benz..
http://www.themint.org/teens/spending.html
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/buying_goods_and_services.htm
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/transportation.htm
http://www.igocars.org/
http://www.activetrans.org/
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/janis+joplin/mercedes+benz_20069845.html
http://www.jango.com/music/Janis+Joplin?l=0

11 - A cheeseburger costs $487.63!
http://www.themint.org/teens/owing.html
http://www.themint.org/teens/i-paid-how-much.html
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-29911.html
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/finances/credit_cards.htm

12 - If it seems too good to be true...
http://baselinescenario.com/financial-crisis-for-beginners/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2008/12/whats_causing_the_crisis.html
http://socyberty.com/economics/the-financial-crisis-for-dummies/
http://www.dosomething.org/blog/chatterbox/financial-crisis-teen-are-feeling-pinch-too
http://vodpod.com/watch/1035776-financial-crisis-for-dummies

13 - How Insurance can save your butt...
http://www.progressive.com/shop/teen-car-insurance-resources.aspx
http://insurance.mo.gov/consumer/teens/index.htm
http://www.superpages.com/supertips/car-insurance-for-teenagers.html
http://www.allkidscovered.com/
http://www.geico.com/information/aboutinsurance/renters/
http://www.giis.org/rent/rent.shtml

Consumer Education Projects

Your job is to become an expert on one of the following topics and then teach the important ideas about it to the class. Your final grades in the class and your consumer education credit depend on your project, your presentation and a final exam.

Topics:

1. “Why am I broke all the time?” How and why to do a personal budget.
2. “What security deposit?” How to rent an apartment.
3. “Pay myself first? What the…?” The how and why of savings.
4. “As seen on TV.” The power of advertising.
5. “The story of stuff.” How do my buying habits affect the world?
6. “Scams, spam and getting slammed.” How to avoid getting ripped off online and in the real world.
7. “I wish my parents were rich.” How to pay for college and not get buried in debt.”
8. “But I thought I was making 10 bucks an hour!” What to expect from wages. Where does all the money go from your paycheck?
9. “Pay the man.” How to do your taxes.
10. “Oh Lord, won’t ya buy me a Mercedes Benz.” How to buy cars and other expensive stuff. (or just take the train)
11. “A cheeseburger costs $487.63?” How to avoid credit card debt.
12. “If it seems too good to be true...” How bad consumer decisions contributed to the recent financial crisis.
13. "I always use protection!" How Insurance can save your butt.
14. "I want it NOW!" How to separate needs from wants and base consumer decisions on your core values.