Ok, the holidays are for family get-togethers and fun, not
about material things. But, let’s face it, shopping is one component of the
holidays. Learning how to do comparison shopping and other responsible shopping
behaviors is a gift that can last all year (even a lifetime) –and can save some
family stress…. These activities give
your family a chance to talk about finances within a pleasurable framework –
and consider ways to use money wisely.
Connect:
* What are your shopping habits? Do you make smart choicees? Compare
your shopping habits with these consumer tips: http://www.homefamily.net/?p=342
* How do you do comparison shopping? As a family, you can
create criteria for judging products as well as determining how to compare them
in terms of features and csosts. http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/shopping-websites
is a website that lists popular comparison shopping websites. Compare the
prices of items you might want to buy – between websites.
* Similarly, http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/coupon-websites
lists popular coupon websites. Some people save money by using coupons, which
are becoming a big trend online. Here are some of the websites that focus on
coupons: Have a family discussion about the pros and cons of couponing
(remember that sometimes a brand coupon costs more than a generic brand –and that
a coupon might entice you to buy something that you wouldn’t have purchased
otherwise; companies aren’t stupid….).
* Online shopping has become increasingly popular. Some people
even buy diapers online! What are the cost benefits – and other considerations,
such as turn-around time and convenience? Take a store such as Target, and
compare their online prices with
in-store prices. Make sure you calculate in the cost of driving as well
as shipping.
* Companies have many ways to entice you to buy something.
Find out some of their strategies at http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=465
* Do you save money when buying something used? Think about
the pros and cons of buying used items (such as hidden wear and germs versus
lower price and “better deals”). Even a
car in perfect condition, and never driven, depreciates over a year (meaning
that it is financially less valuable). You can find out about cars and other
consumer savvy tips at http://www.cybraryman.com/consumerism.html
* Many appliance and other hardware salespersons offer service
contracts to help cover the costs of repairs that happen when the product’s
warranty runs out. Should you buy these service contracts? The Federal Trade
Commission has some good tips on such contracts: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0240-extended-warranties-and-service-contracts
Create:
* http://www.natefacs.org/JFCSE/vol19no2/v19no2Wheeler.pdf
offers a number of activities for teens to do to learn good consumer strategies.
Can shopping dull your creativity? Your family can debate
the following article about consumerism vs creativity: http://voices.yahoo.com/consumerism-vs-creativity-10807277.html
* Have you ever taken a poll online or been asked about your
favorite movie? Increasingly, companies use social media as part of their
marketing strategy. These companies can
get free input from their current and potential customers, which can then help
them develop and sell more desirable products. It makes you feel like your
opinion counts, and it’s a relatively cheap strategy for companies too. Look at
what the media are saying about teens and marketing: http://www.talentzoo.com/digital-pivot/blog_news.php?articleID=13197
and http://www.ypulse.com/. How does that
make you feel? How do you want to act, based on that information?
* What are the cost savings of
making a cake “from scratch,” buying a cake mix (and needed
ingredients), or buying a ready-made cake? Don’t forget the cost of electricity
for baking, and the cost of water for clean-up! Find out more at http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=5350
and http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=4623
* Say you like to sew. What if you want to go into business
selling something you’ve made? What’s involved? Find out how to starting a
clothing link business at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/clothing.htm.
Care:
* What are some ways to spend money AND care for the planet?
NBC News offers ways to shop in order to save the world: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24622958/ns/business-retail/t/shopping-literally-help-save-world/#.UNKW_HfNmSo
* Want to make over $40,000 from saving less than 50 cents a
day? One way to care for your family (and yourself) is to save, the earlier the
better. See how your money can grow by
starting early: http://www.massmutual.com/planningtools/educationalarticles/articledisplay?mmcom_articleid=a09730e5e885a110VgnVCM100000ee6d06aaRCRD
* Want to save the planet AND
save some money? One way is to save on home energy costs. You can find out
how much electricity a TV or refrigerator uses per hour. You can also research
ways to conserve energy uses, and test a couple of ideas over the month to see if the energy bill declines. Start by conducting
a home energy audit: http://www.earthcarecanada.com/EarthCARE_Resources/home_energy_audit.asp
. Then look at: http://www.tvakids.com/electricity/conservation.htm
and http://energy.gov/public-services/homes
Connect:
Are you a savvy shopper? Do you know what sells? All along
the way in shopping there are jobs: from manufacturers to transporters, from
buyers to marketers, from displayers to sales and financiers. There’s bound to
be a job that involves shopping. Here is
a starting list of possibilities:
http://www.bls.gov/k12/money.htm
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