Economic Issues for Consumers (with InfoTrac )
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In this tenth edition of a text for undergraduates, Miller (Institute for University Studies) and Stafford (Niagara County Community College) have added updated information on identity theft, saving money by saving energy, and electronic banking, and integrate information on recent stock market problems, the Enron collapse, and the importance of investigating 401(k) plans. The text uses real-life examples and plain language to help students understand issues related to saving, investing, credit, insurance, and other consumer issues. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Booknews Miller (Institute for University Studies) and Stafford (Niagara County Community College) offer a new edition of this time tested introductory text. Coverage includes topics such as budgets, taxes, major purchases, financial management, fraud, insurance, debt, risk management, and retirement planning. Every chapter concludes with a "Consumer Issue," with advice on applying the principles outlined in the chapter. The ninth edition features a greater focus on the uses of the Internet. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Unit 1The Consumer in Today's WorldChapter 1An Economic Foundation for Consumer Decisions1Scarcity2The Necessity of Choice4Demand and Supply Analysis--A Brief Introduction6Consumer Sovereignty in a Market Economy10The Real World of Imperfect Competition10Americans in an Electronic Market12New Technology--New Responsibilities14Consumer Economics in an Electronic Economy15Confronting Consumer Issues: Being an Ethical Consumer16Chapter Summary21Key Terms22Questions for Thought & Discussion22Things to Do22Internet Resources23Selected Readings24Chapter 2Making Rational Consumer Choices25Decisions, Decisions26Rational Consumer Decision Making27Values and Rational Decision Making28The Decision-Making Process31Pitfalls in Rational Consumer Decision Making34Time Management and Rational Decision Making37Confronting Consumer Issues: How to Buy Technology-Based Products40Chapter Summary45Key Terms45Questions for Thought & Discussion45Things to Do46Internet Resources46Selected Readings47Chapter 3A Flood of Advertising48Costs and Benefits of Advertising49Brand-Name Advertising50Other Types of Advertising52The Ugly Side of Advertising54Advertising and Your Privacy57Your Telemarketing Rights58Privately Prepared Information59Confronting Consumer Issues: Rational Internet Shopping63Chapter Summary67Key Terms67Questions for Thought & Discussion68Things to Do68Internet Resources68Selected Readings69Chapter 4The Many Faces of Fraud70Consumer Products Fraud71Steps to Take to Protect Yourself79Internet Fraud82Confronting Consumer Issues: The Dangers of Identity Theft87Chapter Summary91Key Terms91Questions for Thought & Discussion91Things to Do92Internet Resources92Selected Readings93Chapter 5Protection for the Consumer94Sources of Consumer Protection95Consumer Responsibilities100Enforcement of Federal Consumer Protection Laws101State and Local Governments and Consumer Protection104Using Small Claims Courts105Sources of Private-Sector Consumer Protection108Private Industry's Self-Regulation110Warranties and Consumer Protection111Confronting Consumer Issues: Finding Help for Consumer Problems114Chapter Summary122Key Terms122Questions For Thought & Discussion123Things to Do123Internet Resources123Selected Readings124Unit 2BudgetingChapter 6The Consumer as a Wage Earner125Investment in Human Capital126Occupational Wage Differentials129The Problem of Inflation133Confronting Consumer Issues: Choosing the Right Career140Chapter Summary145Key Terms145Questions for Thought & Discussion146Things to Do146Internet Resources146Selected Readings147Chapter 7Creating a Living Budget148Consumers Need a Spending Plan149Budget Making, Goals, and Values Clarification152How Does the Typical Household Allocate Its Income?153Creating a Budget Plan154Reviewing Your Budget156Fitting It All into a Life-Span Plan156Budget-Assistance Programs157Confronting Consumer Issues: Budgeting for Recreation and Leisure159Chapter Summary164Key Terms164Questions for Thought & Discussion164Things to Do165Internet Resources166Selected Readings166Chapter 8Paying for the Government167The Whys and Hows of Taxation168Personal Federal Income Tax172Confronting Consumer Issues: Preparing Your Income Tax Return175Chapter Summary183Key Terms183Questions for Thought & Discussion184Things to Do184Internet Resources184Selected Readings185Unit 3Making Consumption ExpendituresChapter 9Choosing a Healthful Diet186Choosing the Food We Eat187Government Labeling and Inspection Requirements188Food Labels and the Consumer194Nutrition196Food Additives199Health, Natural, and Organic Foods203The Growing Trend toward Convenience Food204Getting the Most for Your Food-Shopping Dollar205Confronting Consumer Issues: Good Health and Weight Control208Chapter Summary212Key Terms213Questions for Thought & Discussion213Things to Do213Internet Resources214Selected Readings214Chapter 10Purchasing Household Products215Clothing, Happiness, and Budget Considerations216Indications of Quality218The Powerful Fashion Industry220Choosing Durable Goods221Consumer Durables as an Investment222Evaluating the Purchase of a Consumer Durable223Servicing Your Consumer Durables226The Special Case of Buying Furniture228Confronting Consumer Issues: Saving Money by Saving Energy232Chapter Summary237Key Terms237Questions for Thought & Discussion237Things to Do238Internet Resources238Selected Readings239Chapter 11Satisfying Transportation Needs240We Depend on Cars in Many Ways241The Trend toward Safer Automobiles243The Social Costs of Driving245The Private Costs of Driving245Deciding When to Buy247Deciding What You Want247Getting the Best Deal on a New Car250Leasing versus Buying254Should You Choose a Used Car?256Final Guidelines for Consumers257Financing That Purchase258Know Your Lemon Laws259Confronting Consumer Issues: Reputable Repairs for Your Car262Chapter Summary265Key Terms266Questions for Thought & Discussion266Things to Do266Internet Resources267Selected Readings267Chapter 12Choosing a Place to Live268Why Are We Willing to Pay So Much?269Renting versus Buying269If You Decide to Buy273Making the Offer278Title Examination and Insurance278Different Types of Homes279Paying for Your Home280Different Kinds of Mortgages283Creative Financing285Mortgage Repayment Terms286Closing Costs287Confronting Consumer Issues: Renting a Home289Chapter Summary293Key Terms294Questions for Thought & Discussion294Things to Do294Internet Resources295Selected Readings295Unit 4Financial ManagementChapter 13Banks Help Consumers Save and Spend296Why Save at All?297Where Should You Stash Your Cash?299How Banks Help Consumers Save302Saving by Buying Government Securities305How Banks Help Consumers Spend307How to Avoid Checking Problems312How to Settle a Complaint with a Bank317Confronting Consumer Issues: How to Use Electronic Banking318Chapter Summary324Key Terms325Questions for Thought & Discussion325Things to Do326Internet Resources326Selected Readings327Chapter 14Using Credit Responsibly328Sources of Credit329Why Borrow?331Saving versus Credit Buying332What It Costs to Borrow334Consumer Credit Legislation335Equal Credit Opportunity339Fair Credit Billing Act340Fair Credit Reporting Act340Fair Debt Collection Practices Act342Subprime Lending343Predatory Lending344Going into Personal Bankruptcy345Confronting Consumer Issues: Making Credit Decisions348Chapter Summary356Key Terms357Questions for Thought & Discussion357Things to Do357Internet Resources358Selected Readings358Chapter 15Investing for Your Future359Some Facts about the Stock Market360Making Money in the Stock Market363Mutual Funds366Is There No Way to Get Rich Quick?369Watch for Those Sure-Fire Schemes370Pensions and Retirement Funds370Confronting Consumer Issues: Making Personal Investment Plans375Chapter Summary382Key Terms382Questions for Thought & Discussion382Things to Do383Internet Resources383Selected Readings384Unit 5Risk ManagementChapter 16The Health-Care Dilemma385The Foundation of Insurance--Risk Pooling386Our Need for Medical Insurance386The Government Steps In387The Insurance Framework387The Supply of Medical Care389Drug Regulation and Its Costs391High-Tech Medicine391The Malpractice System392Who Can Afford the Medical Bill?393Health-Care Dilemma--or Crisis?394Tackling Waste and Inefficiency395Universal Health-Insurance Coverage400Confronting Consumer Issues: Purchasing Medical Care406Chapter Summary413Key Terms414Questions for Thought & Discussion414Things to Do414Internet Resources415Selected Readings415Chapter 17Insuring Your Home and Your Automobile416Insuring Your Home417Automobile Insurance422Confronting Consumer Issues: Choosing a Lawyer430Chapter Summary434Key Terms434Questions for Thought & Discussion434Things to Do435Internet Resources435Selected Readings436Chapter 18Life Insurance and Social Security437Life Insurance and Our Need for Security438The Basic Types of Life Insurance439Some Specialized Insurance Policies445Reading a Life-Insurance Contract447Choosing a Sound Life-Insurance Company449Involuntary Benefit Programs--The Case of Social Security449Confronting Consumer Issues: How
