Focusing on the service economy, and designed especially for non-economics majors, this practical text establishes a new and enduring blend of topics for an introductory course in consumerism. It presses students to appreciate the world of markets and to clarify their personal priorities for decision-making as it introduces the fundamentals of markets, consumer choice, financial assessment, risk avoidance and other topics. The book features numerous illustrative examples, useful perspectives and practical guidelines on intelligent consumerism.

Focusing on the service economy, and designed especially for non-economics majors, this practical text establishes a new and enduring blend of topics for courses in consumer economics and consumerism. Consumer Economics develops useful perspectives and rules of thumb to guide decision making. As it introduces the fundamentals of markets, consumer choice, financial assessment, risk avoidance, etc., it presses students to appreciate the world of markets and to clarify their personal priorities for decision making in such a world.

Boxed sections throughout the text illustrate concepts and provide examples, and each chapter includes a summary, consumer workshop, questions for study, and suggested readings.

CONTENTS

I. Getting Started

1. Introduction -- 2. Consumers -- 3. The Marketplace 4. Negotiation -- 5. Household Accounts

II. Priorities and Choices

6. Routine Shopping -- 7. Buying Durables -- 8. Borrowing 9. Risk and Uncertainty -- 10. Saving and Investing 11. Gains from International Trade

III. Consumer Rights and Protections

12. A History of Consumer Protection

13. Today's Consumer Protection System

14. Economic Footings for Consumer Policy

IV. Momentous Decisions

15. Housing -- 16. Cars -- 17. College -- 18. Kids 19. The Green Way -- 20. Health Care 21. Retirement -- 22. Death: Planning and Perspective

V. Consumers and the National Economy

23. National Consumption Its Measurement and Determination

24. Consumption and National Prosperity

25. Consumers and Government Spending