This work focuses on the service economy, it introduces the fundamentals of markets, consumer choice, financial assessment, risk avoidance, and other topics.

From artificial intelligence to identity theft, from what we once thought of as unshakeable institutions to increasing concerns about privacy and sustainability, consumer issues are an integral part of daily life. This updated fourth edition of Consumer Economics offers students an accessible and thorough guide to the concerns surrounding the modern consumer and brings to light the repercussions of making uninformed decisions in today’s global economy. This definitive textbook introduces students to these potential issues and covers other key topics including consumer behavior, the history of the consumer movement, personal finance, legal rights and responsibilities, and marketing and advertising. Combining theory and practice, students are introduced to both the fundamentals of consumer economics and how to become better-informed consumers themselves. Highlights in this new edition include the following: New case studies and critical thinking projects to encourage students to develop their critical thinking skills through analyzing consumer issues. Expanded coverage of social media and the impact of social influence on consumers. Revised consumer alerts: practical advice and guidance to help students make smart consumer decisions. A companion website with PowerPoint slides for each chapter. Fully updated, this textbook is suitable for students studying consumer sciences—what works, what does not, and how consumers are changing.

Many consumers dont understand why or how interest rates work over time. In Consumer Economics, author Deji Badiru provides a concise guide to a better understanding of the time value of money based on the compounding effect of interest ratesthe idea that time is a critical element in accumulating future values from a present cash flow value. Badiru helps consumers understand the underpinning theories and principles of different loan scenarios and cash flow profiles. He covers cash flow diagrams, present value, future value, simple and compound interest rates, annual percentage rate, annuity, compounding of interest, capitalized cost, perpetual cash flow, rule of seventy-two, payback period, benefit-cost ratio, mortgage loan analysis, and equity breakeven point. Consumer Economics offers the layperson important and useful information about interest rates, how to calculate their effect, and how to use this knowledge to their advantage. It communicates the importance of placing ones money in interest-bearing bank accounts or other investment vehicles to get the most from ones money.

Handbook of U.S. Consumer Economics presents a deep understanding on key, current topics and a primer on the landscape of contemporary research on the U.S. consumer. This volume reveals new insights into household decision-making on consumption and saving, borrowing and investing, portfolio allocation, demand of professional advice, and retirement choices. Nearly 70% of U.S. gross domestic product is devoted to consumption, making an understanding of the consumer a first order issue in macroeconomics. After all, understanding how households played an important role in the boom and bust cycle that led to the financial crisis and recent great recession is a key metric. - Introduces household finance by examining consumption and borrowing choices - Tackles macro-problems by observing new, original micro-data - Looks into the future of consumer spending by using data, not questionnaires

Make economics resonate to high school students. This practical handbook will help economics and social studies teachers foster critical thinking by introducing students to the real-life dimensions of the major controversies in contemporary economics. Filled with useful teaching tips and user-friendly information on finding engaging materials and activities for the classroom, the book also includes detailed coverage of the Voluntary National Content Standards for economics. "Introducing Economics" is a one-stop resource for high school teachers who want to make economics relevant to their students' lives. It includes more than 50 sections with lists of suggested "Activities and Resources," many with Internet links. It features boxed "Hints for Clear Teaching" tips for presenting particularly difficult topics. It provides an annotated resource guide to more than 30 organizations involved in economics education, with associated Internet links. It follows the flow of topics in a typical economics course. It addresses real-life topics that are ignored or glossed-over in traditional textbooks - economics and the environment, the distribution of income and wealth, discrimination, labor unions, globalization, the power of corporations, and more. It offers critical guidance for meeting all 20 Voluntary National Content Standards in economics, and also provides an overview of the political and intellectual history and contemporary state of economics education.