Case Studies
1 What Is Economics?
Anita and Juan Search for Housing
24
Mariya’s and Sasha’s Apartment
25
2 Government and the Economy
Jake’s Bread Factory
53
3 Consumers in the Economy:
An Overview
Poor Planning
69
Buying on the Spur of the Moment
71
4 The Global Economy
Profi t Squeeze
83
Talia Makes a Switch
86
5 Making Smart Decisions
What Do You Value?
103
A Matter of Priorities
107
6 Personal Finance: An Overview
Looking Ahead
132
The Single Life
136
7 Income and Taxes
Unmet Expectations
153
Ending Defi cit Spending
169
A Time to Collect
171
8 Financial Institutions and Services
What About Online Banking?
184
9 Credit
The Credit Game
203
Ty’s “Deal”
210
10 Insurance
It’s Negotiable
235
A Death in the Family
245
Life Insurance for Coni
249
11 Savings
A New Way to Save
273
12 Investing and Estate Planning
Money from the Keyboard
281
Final Decisions
306
13 You, the Shopper
The Purpose Guides the Choice
317
Planning Is the Key
326
14 Consumers in the Marketplace
Advertised Specials
340
It’s in the Bag
344
15 Spending for Food
Leroy and His Date
389
An Even Split
390
16 Clothing
Abby Is in a Hurry
398
Tina Buys a Mistake
403
The Scene Changes
407
17 Health and Wellness
What’s in a Face?
433
Finding Time for Fun
437
Having Fun with Hobbies
439
18 Housing
The Search Is On
458
All at Once
477
19 Transportation
Good News and Bad News
488
David Needs a Car
494
20 Electronics and Appliances
Confusion in the Marketplace
526
Recycling Electronic Products
538
21 Planning for Your Career
Lee Goes from School to His Favorite Hobby
546
Brandy Is a Mass of Indecision
549
Monique Wants to Change the World
557
Omar Knows What He Wants
561
Raul Looks to Internships
562
22 Entering the Work World
Mimi’s Interview
576
Desiree Makes a Hard Choice
580
Born Technician
583
23 Your Role in the Environment
When the Landfi ll Is Full
601
One Can Make a Difference
603
The Well Runs Dry
607
17