A Teenager's Guide to Consumer Education
How many times have you bought something you saw advertised, only to be disappointed in the product or service? Don’t blame yourself – manufacturers spend millions of dollars on advertising - television, radio, billboards, and the Internet bombard you with subliminal buying messages. How can you make good spending decisions in the midst of media hype and pressure?
- Seek wise counsel –talk to your parents or other trusted person about the intended purchase.
- Do your homework – research consumer information and reports, read reviews by other consumers, and check the reputation of the seller.
- Take Ben Franklin’s advice: list the pros and cons of the purchase. If the pros outweigh the cons, make the buy.
- Count to ten – Avoid impulse or emotional purchases. Sleep on the decision and see how you feel the next day.
Teens today have more disposable income but also more competition for those dollars. Investing some time researching and sifting through marketing claims helps spend money wisely, and empowers you to make better decisions about how to use money.
Transportation
- Auto Loans – Everything teens need to know about purchasing a car.
- Buying Automobiles – Link to fact sheet on buying new and used vehicles.
- Buying a Car – Find out how to make the best purchasing decision when buying a car.
- Car Buying and Safety – Tips on teen driver safety and ways to make smart purchase decisions.
- Car Buying Tips – Ways to avoid being ripped off when purchasing a vehicle.
- Financing a Car – Use the interactive auto-finance calculator for financing guidance.
- Teen Auto Insurance – Tips on saving money buying teen car insurance.
- Teen Driving Safety – How to draft a teen-parent driving contract.
Health and Safety
- Body Piercing – Follow these safety tips.
- Center for Young Women’s Health – Health information and games.
- Creatine – Is it safe or dangerous?
- Fast Food Survey – Fill out the fast food survey worksheet and analyze your food choices.
- Food Labels – Find out how to read and decode food labels.
- Nutrional Supplements - How to choose the best supplements and avoid scams.
- OTC Drugs – Fact sheet on over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and teen substance abuse.
- Sports Drinks – Fact sheet on the pros and cons of sports drinks.
- Sun Tanning – Information to help teens make informed decisions about whether or not to tan.
- Teens and Aspirin – Ways to fight fever and other cold symptoms without using aspirin.
- Tattoos – Pros and cons of teens and tattoos.
- Teen Eating Disorders – Links to information about eating disorders and teens.
- Teen Health – Resource information on health issues facing teens.
- Teen Smoking – Tips for helping teens stop smoking.
Living on Your Own
- Fire Safety – Enjoy candles following these safety suggestions.
- Joint Leases – Common questions and facts about joint leases.
- Landlords and Tenants – General guide to the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
- Leases and Landlords - Everything you need to know to protect your rights.
- Renters’ Rights and Responsibilities – Links to information for state-by-state laws regarding renter rights and responsibilities.
- Renting and Apartments – Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about renting.
- Renting Apartments – Answers to common questions about renting apartments.
Buying Goods and Services
- Buy Online and Avoid Scams – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet crime prevention tips.
- Cell Phone Guide – Basic guide to purchasing a cell phone and choosing a service provider.
- Choosing a Doctor– Find out how to select the best health-care provider.
- Computer Buying Guide – Choose the best computer for the money.
- Consumer Complaints – List of links for filing consumer complaints.
- Modeling Agency Scams – Prevent being scammed by fake modeling agencies.
- Sweepstakes and Contest Scams – Fact sheet tips for avoiding scams and frauds.
Finances
- Budget Savvy – Learn how to budget and escape from aliens in this fun online game about money.
- Calling Cards and Toll Fraud – Protect yourself from calling card scams.
- 50 Financial Mistakes – Avoid the most common financial missteps by following the fact sheet tips.
- Financial Literacy – Learn about interest rates and other financial matters from the Federal Reserve Board.
- Financial Planning Guide – Use this online tool to set up a budget and plan for expenses.
- Free Credit Report – Find out your credit score and check for inaccuracies on your report.
- General Financial Advice – Tips on handling money wisely.
- Identity Theft – Resources on avoiding and repairing damages of identity theft.
- Kids and Credit Cards – Learn how to avoid pitfalls from unwise credit card usage.
- Scholarships and Loans – Important information on applying for scholarships and loans.
- Stock Market – What is the stock market?
- Teens Personal Finances – Play and learn about budgeting, saving, investing and more.
- Test Your Money Smarts – Fun online game from the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Understanding Taxes – Find out about taxes from the experts – the IRS (Internal Revenue Service).