Consumer Economics: A Practical Overview

This work focuses on the service economy, it introduces the fundamentals of markets, consumer choice, financial assessment, risk avoidance, and other topics. Part I: Getting Started 1. Introduction 2. Consumers 3. The Marketplace 4. Negotiation 5. Household Accounts Part 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 Part III: Consumer Rights and Protections 12. A History of Consumer Protection 13. Today’s Consumer Protection System 14. Economic Footings for Consumer Policy Part 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 Part V: Consumers and the National Economy 23. National Consumption: Its Measurement and Determination 24. Consumption and National Prosperity 25. Consumers and Government Spending