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This booklet on food buying power, 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 offers information on developing a shopping list, deciding where to shop, selecting the best buys, and reading food labels. Section 1 on food trends for the future considers the world food situation, supermarket innovations, new packaging designs, and changing food patterns. Planning and managing food dollars are the emphases of section 2. A food spending plan is suggested, and food shopping alternatives are set forth. Section 3 discusses choosing nutritious foods; eating well through an adequate diet; controlling weight; and evaluating natural, organic, and health foods. Section 4 offers suggestions for selecting the best food buys, explains labeling, and presents food buying guides for meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, fruits and vegetables, milk and milk products, eggs, grain foods, fats and oils, convenience foods, canned foods, and frozen foods. In section 3 are tips on how to store, prepare, and handle food properly and on how to keep it safe to eat. The final section looks at home gardening as a source of fresh produce. A list of organizations, books, and pamphlets is provided. (YLB)

This booklet on home furnishings, 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 offers guidelines for purchasing home furnishings and decorating materials. Section 1 discusses planning for home furnishings based on income, needs, wants, values and preferences, interests and activities, and special requirements. Section 2 discusses development of a good interior design plan. In section 3, financial planning is applied to furnishing the home on the amount of money available to be spent. Use of professional services and methods of payment are discussed, and guidelines for shopping are set forth. Section 4 offers shopping guidelines for buying furniture, floor coverings, wall treatments, window treatments, lighting equipment, and accessories. Some sample forms are provided. (YLB)

This booklet on recreation, 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 suggests ways to plan recreation expenses for special activities, equipment, and vacation travel. Section 1 looks at the need for recreation and getting the most from recreation through planning. In section 2, setting recreational goals and planning recreational expenses are discussed. Section 3 offers lists of recreation possibilities. Section 4 sets forth some general guidelines for renting equipment, buying new equipment and clothing, finding alternatives to renting and buying equipment, joining health clubs, and renting or buying recreational vehicles. Planning vacations and travel, discussed in section 5, focuses on considerations of destination, mode of transportation, foreign travel, and payment methods. A list of organizations, books, and pamphlets is provided. (YLB)

This booklet on housing, 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 shows how to determine housing needs and analyze housing costs, whether one rents, buys, or builds a home. The first five sections briefly overview the booklet and discuss housing needs, locations, setting up of realistic monthly housing allowances, and house buying power. Section 6 discusses the three major housing choices: renting, buying, and building. Use of the professional services of real estate agents, lawyers, contractors, and architects is considered next. Section 8 offers checklists for judging and comparing apartments and houses and provides information for evaluating equipment and facilities in housing. Financing is the focus of section 9, including sources, costs, and features of home mortgage loans and other types of home financing. The last three sections address title search, property insurance, and planning a move. (YLB)

This booklet on automobile purchasing and maintenance, 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 discusses buying, maintaining, and operating cars. Section 1 discusses managing automobile dollars. Topics include transportation options, need for a car, car maintenance expenses, renting or leasing automobiles, and selling or trading one's present automobile. Section 2 presents factors to consider in choosing the kinds of cars to buy, including car sizes, body types, foreign or domestic makes, and automobile options. Section 3 focuses on methods of payment, insurance, and buying new cars in comparison to buying used ones. Suggestions are made in section 4 for lowering automotive costs through proper maintenance, operation, servicing, and repairs. The final section examines current changes in the automotive field: reduction in energy consumption, environmental protection, and safety. A list of organizations, books, and pamphlets is provided. (YLB)

This booklet on household equipment, 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 offers information to help buyers purchase household equipment that is within their budget. Section 1 discusses managing equipment dollars. Topics include establishing a spending plan, determining methods of payment, checking home facilities, recognizing equipment-safety features, and discussing 10 points to help consumers become more knowledgeable when shopping for household equipment. Section 2 provides buying guides for major kitchen appliances (ranges, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, food-waste disposers, and trash compactors), water-softening equipment, water-heating equipment, major laundry appliances (washers and dryers), floor care appliances, and portable electric appliances. In section 3 are tips on using household equipment, appliance services, and safety. (YLB)

This booklet on clothing, 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 gives wardrobe planning, buying, and care information. The first three sections consider the functions of clothing, the importance of self-knowledge in clothing, choice, and planning a wardrobe; Money matters are discussed in section 4: the amount available for clothing expenditure, payment methods, and money saving tips. Section 5 focuses on the qualities of the various types of clothing fabrics. Basic guidelines are provided in section 6 for judging workmanship and proper tailoring in order to buy wisely. Section 7 considers sewing one's own clothing and choosing sewing machines, patterns, and fabrics. Section 8 offers tips on caring for apparel, including laundering and dry cleaning. Handling complaints is briefly discussed in the final section. An appendix includes standard size classifications for different types of infants' and children's clothing sold in the United States and Canada. A list of agencies, associations, books, and pamphlets is provided. (YLB)

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 five sections are a step-by-step guide through the processes involved in setting up and effectively managing a basic financial plan. These steps are described: (1) setting family goals, (2) determining present financial situations (income and current expenses), (3) setting up the plan (calculating the income and estimating fixed, flexible, and periodic expenses), (4) balancing the plan (reducing flexible and fixed expenses), and (5) managing the plan effectively (choosing a chief money manager, organizing materials, record keeping, bill paying, handling the money, adjusting to change, and living with inflation). Some sample forms are provided. A listing of suggested resources (organizations and books, pamphlets, and periodicals) is appended. (YLB)

This booklet on managing credit, 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 tells how to establish credit, determine credit limits, and maintain a favorable credit history. Section 1 on understanding consumer credit presents basic information, including what consumer credit is, pros and cons of credit, the cost of credit, credit worthiness, comparing credit charges, types of consumer credit, sources of cash credit, and consumer credit agreements. Section 2 on managing credit dollars discusses uses of credit, including shopping for credit, handling financial difficulties, and managing credit in the future. Following a list of suggested resources (organizations, books, and pamphlets) are these appendixes: United States credit legislation in brief (act, major provisions, page/reference, penalties for noncompliance, governing agencies), a glossary, and methods for computing credit charges. (YLB)

This boolet on children and money management, 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 offers guidelines for teaching money-managing skills to children, from preschoolers to high school seniors. The first two sections discuss the rationale for teaching young people to manage money and to arrive at intelligent financial decisions. Topics in section 3 are of primary concern to parents, including examinations of one's own money-managing techniques, guidelines for creating a healthy psychological climate in the home, and benefits of child involvement in family financial planning. Section 4 focuses on young people's sources of money. In section 5, pedagogical suggestions are made for tailoring teaching to children's readiness. Section 6 discusses basic learning experiences in teaching young people how to manage money: shopping, using a spending plan, saving, opening checking and savings accounts, using credit, working in the labor force, and managing stock ownership. Section 7 offers suggestions on handling common money problems: losing money, overcoming financial envy, hoarding money, failing to buy necessities, overspending, stealing, failing to repay loans, and reimbursing owners for breakage. Following a brief note on consumer education is a list of suggested resources. (YLB)

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 to keep track of spending, live within one's means, and reach financial goals. In addition, the guide shows how to manage credit, pay bills, organize financial records, and deal with economic change. Several charts are provided to help the reader set goals, total net worth, and identify fixed, flexible, and periodic expenses. For those seeking more information, a special resource section also is included. (KC)

This booklet provides guidelines for buying major home appliances from ranges and refrigerators to washers and dryers, as well as wood and upholstered furniture, and bedding and floor coverings, with helpful charts to make selection easier. It begins with suggestions on how to furnish within one's means. Next, information on equipping the home with appliances is provided. The booklet then covers the how-tos of buying a phone, choosing a phone service, and purchasing a personal computer and video equipment. The section on furnishings discusses case goods, upholstered furniture, bedding, and floor coverings. The information and guidelines provided here focus on choosing quality and the relationship of quality to price. Other topics include shopping preliminaries, looking for bargains and economizing, buying used furnishings and equipment, and renting furnishings. Consumer information on product warranties, service contracts, and effective complaint handling is also included. Finally, trade associations, businesses, and government agencies that provide information on particular aspects of home furnishings and equipment are listed with their addresses. A listing is appended of some books and pamphlets that are available from these sources. (YLB)

This resource guide for teachers offers material for teaching money management in classes ranging from elementary through adult level. The guide covers seven key concepts in separate units: values and goals, income and employment, money management, financial products and services, credit, insurance, and savings and investments. Each unit includes generalizations, classroom objectives, learning activities, key terms, and an annotated list of suggested resources. In addition, the guide explains how to use an interdisciplinary approach, suggests community resources, and outlines how to adapt materials to groups of different ages and abilities. Student questionnaires, case studies, guidance for planning field trips, and a list of student research projects bulletin board ideas are provided. A reference list gives names and addresses for periodicals and newsletters, computer software, and associations and educational agencies. (KC)

This student/teacher resource booklet provides information on conserving food dollars while providing nutritious meals. The guide shows how to set up a food budget and explains how scanning the weekly food ads, planning meals around the specials, and compiling a list accordingly can also help consumers get more for their food dollars. Numerous shopping tips are included. The booklet shows how to recognize quality in meat, poultry, fish, and produce. It discusses food labeling; government grades and standards; open dating; food safety, storage, and handling; and home gardening. It also explores a variety of shopping alternatives, from warehouse stores to farmers' markets. The nutrition section includes, in addition to the U.S. Daily Food Guide, an analysis of an adequate diet, an exploration of changing eating habits, and the latest trends in food merchandising, from new packaging to hypermarkets. Suggested resources include organizations, books, and pamphlets. (KC)

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 and road tests, guidelines on negotiating, and pointers on the sales contract, warranty, and service contract. Information is also provided on taking delivery and obtaining the official documents. Sections on financing and insurance are included. The booklet also discusses the pros and cons of selling versus trading a car and explains how car-buying services operate. Identifying the best buys on used cars is shown, and guidelines on maintenance and repairs and resolving consumer problems are provided. Resources and cost-cutting tips also are given throughout the booklet. (KC)

This booklet provides some practical guidelines for determining total insurance needs, examining options, and comparing costs. It discusses how to fit insurance costs into an overall financial plan, the necessity of adequate liability coverage, and the importance of keeping policies up to date. The next four sections highlight the basic types of insurance. The section on health insurance introduces conventional and prepaid plans, health maintenance organizations, and government programs. Information on disability insurance and tips on cutting health care costs are included. The section on life insurance describes the various types of policies--term, whole life, and universal. It shows how to read a policy, select a beneficiary, and shop for the best value. The section on auto insurance discusses the kinds of coverage offered in a standard policy, why auto insurance rates vary, and comparison shopping. The section on homeowners and tenants insurance tells how to take a household inventory and includes descriptions of the features found in a basic policy and the factors affecting premium costs. Other sections focus on other types of insurance, shopping for insurance, how to handle a claim, and handling insurance complaints. A glossary and a listing of suggested resources are appended. (YLB)

This booklet is designed to help consumers understand and manage credit. It is suitable for personal use by adults or for classroom use in junior high through adult consumer education classes. The booklet is organized in two parts. The first part explains consumer credit: what it is, pros and cons, cost of credit, establishing credit, types of consumer credit, sources of cash credit, comparing credit charges, consumer credit agreements, and credit rights and responsibilities. The second part provides guidelines for managing credit dollars: affording credit, using credit versus saving to pay cash, shopping for credit, handling financial difficulties, and managing credit in the future. The guide also includes a list of organizations, books, and pamphlets; a summary of United States credit legislation; and a glossary of the language of credit. (KC)

This booklet is designed to guide readers through the different stages of retirement planning, starting with goal setting. It is suitable for personal use by adults or for classroom use in junior high through adult consumer education classes. The booklet explains how to determine one's current financial status as well as how to estimate retirement needs and develop a strategy for meeting them. Also discussed are the various retirement savings programs available to individuals, whether self-funded, employer-provided, or government-paid. Finally, the subject of medical insurance is covered, followed by a brief section on wills and estate planning. Specific topics covered by this guide include the following: retiring to financial independence; preparing for retirement; your retirement strategy; employer retirement programs; individual savings plans; government retirement programs; individual savings plans; government retirement plans; health-care programs; and handling your estate. A glossary of terms and a list of organizations, books, and pamphlets are included in the guide.

This booklet is designed to help individuals make housing decisions in an informed, rational manner. It is suitable for personal use by adults or for classroom use in junior high through adult home economics or consumer education classes. After helping the reader determine needs and wants and how much money is available for housing, the booklet moves step by step through the processes of renting and buying. It then provides guidance and information for living happily in the home of one's choice. Specific topics covered by this guide include the following: housing needs and wants; renting, buying, or building; housing affordability; housing checklists; types of housing; professionals who can help; purchase arrangements; financing housing; insurance; maintenance, repairs, and home improvements; energy-efficient housing; selling a home; and planning a move. A list of organizations, books, and pamphlets is included in the guide. (KC)