How to Be a Smart Consumer

HOW TO BE ASMART CONSUMER!

Think before you buy: Buying something without thinking is so common that there is a name for it: IMPULSE SHOPPING. Try to limit your impulse buys to things that do not cost a lot of money (candy, snacks, drink, etc). If you buy something that is very expensive on impulse, you may regret your purchase later or you may realize that you need the money for something else.

Take a deep breath: Next time you are out and you see something that you just have to have think about whether you need to buy it right now. Can it wait a day? Often the item that seemed so great the first time you saw it, doesn’t seem that great the next time. Or it may go on sale and be available for less money. If you are not sure, try walking around the store for awhile carrying the item with you. Look around at other items. Is there something similar that is cheaper or better quality. Are there other items that you would also like? Think about how long it took you to save the money you are going to spend and how long it will take to replace that money. You may be surprised to find that you decide that you do not need the item and that you put it back.

Compare prices: Comparing prices is an easy way to save money. Finding stores that have the best prices can save you a lot of money on things that you like to buy. This is called comparison shopping. HOWEVER, don’t forget to think about the item that you are going to buy. If it is a small, cheap item don’t spend all day looking for the best price. Remember time is also important. Would you spend two hours looking to save one dollar? With larger purchases, time may not be such a consideration (example: buying a house or car). Here is where the Internet can be very useful. You can check the prices of many different products online. You can compare from store to store without having to leave your house or drive from place to place. There are even websites geared toward comparison shopping that make this an easy task.

Quality is also important: Price and time are not the only things that you need to consider when comparing products. Don’t be afraid to spend more money on something that is better quality (think electronics, cars, etc). Quality adds value to a product. Things that are high quality may last longer and then you don’t have to replace them as often. Doing research on an item can help you decide what is best. For example: If you are going to buy a bike, talk to your friends who do a lot of biking and ask them what they like and what they don’t like about their bikes. Look for other sources (magazines, websites etc). Once you have a lot of information you can make your decision.

Brands and bargains: Brand is very important to some people. Companies spend a lot of money trying to make you believe that their product makes you jump higher, look better or run faster. This is not always true. Part of being a smart consumer is to educate yourself about what is real and what is not real. Reading reviews and talking to experts is a good way to decide. Remember that ads and commercials are designed to make you spend your money. Think about why you are buying one brand over another before you part with your money. Is there another brand that is cheaper and of the same quality?

Rebates, sales and coupons: Coupons and rebates are an excellent way to save money. However, be careful. Some are only valid if you mail them in. You should consider the cost of stamps and the time to do it. Other coupons or rebates may only be used on certain items (example: jumbo size. Do you need the jumbo size?) or on certain days.

Setting Goals: It is important to really think about what you want to buy. Once you know what you want to buy there are things that you can do to help you meet your goal. First find out how much the item costs. Then decide what you are going to do to get the money. Figure out how long it will take you to save the money. Having a goals will help prevent impulse shopping.

HOW TO BE A SMART CONSUMER!

Rebates, sales and coupons: Coupons and rebates are an excellent way to save money.

Setting Goals: It is important to really think about what you want to buy. Once you know what you want to buy there are things that you can do to help you meet your goal.

Smart Consumer Assignment

Name:Item:

Group Members:

Questions:

1. Where are three places you can find more information about this item? Please list specific people, stores, websites etc.

2. What are three important characteristics of this item that you considered and compared? Why are these important characteristics to consider?

3. What item did you decide to purchase?

4. Describe how your group reached this decision.

MOBILE PHONES

Blackberry White Pearl

LG 150

Samsung a720

Carrier Price / $599.99 / $229.95 / $329.99
Overview
Accessories Included / Charger, Standard Battery, Manual, USB Cable, Software CD, Handsfree Headset, SIM Card / Charger, Standard Battery, Manual / Charger, Standard Battery, Manual, Stereo Headset
Warranty / 1 Year / 1-Year / 1 Year
Physical Characteristics / Blackberry White Pearl / LG 150 / Samsung a720
Design Type / PDA Style / Flip / Flip
Dimensions (H x W x D) / 10.7 x 5.0 x 1.4 cm
4.2 x 2.0 x 0.6 in / 8.8 x 4.7 x 2.1 cm
3.5 x 1.9 x 0.8 in / 8.5 x 4.7 x 2.0 cm
3.3 x 1.9 x 0.8 in
Weight / 90 grams
3.2 ounces / 90 grams
3.2 ounces / 96 grams
3.4 ounces
Colors / White / Black (Bell), Black & Blue (Sprint) / Silver or Pink
Battery / Lithium Ion / Lithium Ion / Lithium Ion
Talk Time / 210 minutes / 240 minutes / 210 minutes
Standby Time / 360 hours / 175 hours / 384 hours
Languages / English, French, Spanish / English, French, Spanish / English, French, Spanish
Voice Mail Indicator / Yes / Yes / Yes
Text Message Indicator / Yes / Yes / Yes
Ringtones / Polyphonic, MP3 / 35 Polyphonic, MP3 / Polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
Downloadable Ringtones / Yes / Yes / Yes
Melody Composer / No / No / No
Distinctive Ring / Yes / Yes / Yes
Vibration Alert / Yes / Yes / Yes
Speaker Phone / Yes / Yes / Yes
Digital Camera / Blackberry White Pearl / LG 150 / Samsung a720
Resolution / 1.3 megaixels / - / 1.3 megapixels
Email / Yes / No / No
To-Do-List / Yes / Yes / Yes
Calendar / Yes / Yes / Yes
Address Book / Yes / Yes / No
Memo Pad / Yes / Yes / Yes
Currency Converter / Yes / Yes / No
Alarm / Yes / Yes / Yes
Stop Watch / Yes / Yes / No
Calculator / Yes / Yes / No
Voice Commands / Yes / Yes / Yes
Voice Recorder / Yes / Yes / Yes

PORTABLE MUSIC DEVICES

Creative Labs Zen Vision: M 30 GB Multimedia Player
/
Apple iPod Nano 2 GB MP3 Player
/
Apple iPod 30 GB Multimedia Player
Price / $179.00 / $113.95 / $209.95
Main Features
Brand / Creative Labs / Apple / Apple
Photo & Video Capability / Photo, Video / Photo / Video
Memory Type (what's this) / Hard Drive / Flash Memory / Hard Drive
Memory Capacity / 30 GB / 2 GB / 30 GB
Song Capacity / Up to 7500 / Up to 500 / Up to 20000
Battery Life / 14 Hrs / 24 Hrs / 14 Hrs
Color / Black / Silver / Black
Included Accessories / Software CD-ROM, Earphones / USB Adaptor, Earphones / Earphones, Carrying Case, USB Adaptor, Software Cd
Display
Display Window / With Display Window / With Display Window / With Display Window
Display Size / 2.5 in / 1.5 in / 2.5 in
Additional Features
Organizer functions (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks) / — / — / With Organizer Functions
Displays Album Art / — / Displays Album Art / Displays Album Art
Radio Tuner / FM Tuner / — / —
FM Presets / 32 / — / —
Voice Recording / With Voice Recording Feature / — / Available with Adaptor (Sold Separately)
Size
Height / 4.09 in / 3.5 in / 4.1 in
Depth / 0.73 in / 0.26 in / 0.43 in
Width / 2.44 in / 1.6 in / 2.4 in
Weight / 5.75 Oz / 1.41 Oz / 4.8 Oz

ACCOMODATIONS IN NEW YORK

The Portland Square Hotel
132 west 47th Street (between , New York City, N.Y.10036, USA - map - directions
24 hour reception
24 hour hot showers / No curfew
Safety deposit / Credit cards accepted
Internet / Air Conditioning

Customer Rating - as reviewed by Hostelbookers customers
Overall Average: 65.4%
See all customer ratings and reviews / Atmosphere / 63% / Staff / 66%
Location / 94% / Cleanliness / 70%
Facilities / 56% / Safety / 64%
Fun / 50% / Value / 59%
/
Service, Comfort and Value in Times Square
The Portland is situated within the heart of Manhattan’s Times Square and the center of Broadway..
Featuring 150 stylish guest rooms offering wireless high-speed Internet access, premium cable-satellite TV channels, voice mail service, individual climate control units, and fragrant bath essentials.
The Portland Square Hotel offers stylish guest rooms in simple comfort. Basic amenities and cleanliness are the standard at the Portland Square. A selection of room types are available to meet travelers’ accommodation requirements and expense.
Shared and Private Bath Accommodations:
Deluxe Rooms offer a single double bed or two twin beds. Private bath. 1 -2 persons.
Superior Rooms offer a queen bed or two double beds. Private bath. 1 – 2 persons, 2 – 4 persons.
Shared Bath Rooms offer a single twin or a double bed. 1 person, 1 – 2 persons.
PRICE $59.50/day
Broadway Hotel & Hostel
230 west 101 street on Broadway, New York City, Upper West Side, 10025, USA - directions
24 hour reception
24 hour hot showers / No curfew
Internet / Air Conditioning

Customer Rating - as reviewed by Hostelbookers customers
Overall Average: 70.3%
See all customer ratings and reviews / Atmosphere / 59% / Staff / 80%
Location / 82% / Cleanliness / 84%
Facilities / 55% / Safety / 80%
Fun / 46% / Value / 76%
/
Clean, affordable and secure, we invite our guests to experience Broadway’s hostel spirit! Our newly-renovated rooms are dormitory-style ranging from 2,4, 6, and 8 beds (some are en-suite with private baths!). Let our friendly international staff help you with travel plans or give you the inside scoop from the eyes of a New Yorker! Here are more of our amenities:
-24-hour reception and security
-Free linens, towels and blankets!
-Daily housekeeping service for all guests!
-Internet access is available
-No curfew
-No lock-outs
-Prices include all taxes
-2 short blocks from the metro. Bus stop in front of hostel
-Walking distance to dozens of restaurants, bars and clubs
- 24 hour convenience store just steps away
-Luggage storage available ($2 per day)
-Check-in begins after 3pm and checkout is before 11am
PRICE $30.00/day
Jazz on the Park
36 West 106th Street, New York City, Upper West Side, NY 10025, USA - directions
24 hour reception
24 hour hot showers
No curfew / Safety deposit
Credit cards accepted
Lockers in dorms / Internet
Washing machines
Air Conditioning / Lounge area
Restaurant

Customer Rating - as reviewed by Hostelbookers customers
Overall Average: 72.1%
See all customer ratings and reviews / Atmosphere / 78% / Staff / 80%
Location / 76% / Cleanliness / 73%
Facilities / 62% / Safety / 69%
Fun / 73% / Value / 67%
/
.
Jazz on the Park is conveniently located in the hip Upper West Side, along the northwest side of Central Park and three short blocks walk to the B & C subway lines. In addition the many shops, restaurants and bars just five minutes away, nearby attractions include The Museum of Natural History, the New York Historical Society, Cathedral of St. John the Divine (the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral), Riverside Park and Grant’s Tomb, Columbia University, and the Hungarian Pastry Shop. Take a walk across Central Park, and you’ll find yourself on 5th Avenue, on the doorsteps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the GuggenheimMuseum, the Neue Gallery, the Jewish Museum of Art, and other major NYC landmarks.
At Jazz on the Park we can accommodate both groups and individuals in single, double, or dormitory style rooms. Shower and toilet facilities are centrally located on each floor. Small bag lockers are provided in each room for personal items, and additional coin-operated luggage lockers are located on each floor. We also offer free breakfast, linens and towels; no curfew; a sensible drinking policy; A/C in all rooms; 24-hour reception, security, and access to Internet kiosks; a tourism booth (at select times); and a friendly multi-lingual staff to help make you feel at ease.
PLEASE NOTE that Jazz on the Park has two buildings—the first, which includes the coffee bar and main check in, is on 106 St and Central Park West. All private singles and dorms are located around the corner, on 105th Street.
PRICE $45.00/day

Professional Development Plan Template

TopicSmart Consumers Date ______

Teacher ______Observer______

Professional Target

Ensuring student participation. /

Steps to Achieve Target

I will provide opportunities for all students to participate in the class discussion and activities.

Instructions for the Observer: Please record the following.

Did I provide opportunities for students to participate in the class discussion and activities?

What questions did I ask/opportunities did I provide that allowed students to participate in the discussion or activities?

List the students who volunteered their participation.

List the students that I called on or questioned in order to ensure their participation.