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How to Be a More Conscious Consumer, Even If You’re on a Budget

Most of us financially support companies we might not necessarily support socially, ethically or philosophically.

By Kristin Wong

Farai Harreld was pregnant with her daughter when she realized it was time to downsize. She and her husband had just purchased their first home, which was significantly smaller than their rental.

“I was shocked that at 25, we had already amassed so many possessions, and I struggled to make room for them,” said Ms. Harreld, co-founder of Black Minimalists . “So I made the commitment to be more present and mindful in the choices I made when spending my hard-earned money.”

It’s easy to accumulate stuff, even without much money. As sociologist Joseph Cohen has said , “America is a place where the luxuries are cheap and the necessities are expensive.” But from the rise of minimalism to companies making bold business moves in the name of sustainability, there’s been a push for more conscious consumption. According to Nielsen , sustainable product sales have increased by nearly 20 percent since 2014.

But what, exactly, do we mean here? Phrases like conscious consumption , sustainability and social responsibility are often used synonymously, but some of these phrases have carefully measured definitions, while others are a bit looser. Conscious consumption is an umbrella term that simply means engaging in the economy with more awareness of how your consumption impacts society at large. Shopping sustainably, with the intent to preserve the environment, is one way to consume more consciously.

“It is constantly financially challenging for us as a one-income family, because ethically made goods cost a lot of money, as they should,” Ms. Harreld said. In an effort to minimize her own ecological footprint, she shops secondhand, uses cloth diapers and buys shares in her local C.S.A . Doing your part might look entirely different, but there are some straightforward ways to be a more conscious consumer, even if you’re short on time and cash.

Look for B Corp Certification

The goal of sustainability is to reduce your ecological footprint , which is a measure of how fast we consume resources and generate waste compared to how fast the planet can recover from our habits. And while Fair Trade Certified companies have to meet a certain set of standards, a company can say their products are “ethically sourced” or “artisan made” without having any certifications or standards to prove it — it’s up to you to find out what that means.

All these definitions and standards can be confusing, so a non-profit group called the B Lab created a way to measure a company’s social responsibility. Certified B Corporations are legally required to “consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment,” according to the organization’s website. “B Corp companies must undergo a rigorous measurement of a company’s full E.S.G. commitment,” said Rick Ridgeway, vice president of public engagement at Patagonia, which become the first B-Corporation in 2012 .

E.S.G. — which stands for environment, social and governance — measures a company’s commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting social justice as well as their governance and engagement within their communities. The B Lab has an entire online directory where you can browse certified companies in different industries.

Learn more about your favorite brands

Instead of trying to research every single company you financially support, which can be overwhelming to the point of apathy, focus on where you spend your money most.

Review transactions in your budget or bank statements to see what businesses you regularly shop at, then do some research. You can start with the B Lab’s directory , and if the business isn’t listed, there are other tools that can help you learn more about your favorite brands, businesses and companies.

Websites like Good On You , Done Good and Project Just tell you where a company stands on issues like labor conditions, material sourcing and waste. At Open Secrets , you can look up which campaigns and charities a company has contributed money. It’s worth periodically checking in on companies you like, too, as their efforts can change. Fast fashion brand H&M recently vowed to use 100 percent recycled or sustainable materials by 2030, for example.

Research your investments

You might be investing in companies that don’t align with your values or beliefs and not even know it. If you have a 401(k) at work, or some other type of retirement account, big news: You’re investing!

Most retirement investment portfolios are made up of mutual funds, which are groups of investments in a number of different entities — namely, companies. And it’s pretty easy to find out which companies you’re invested in. If you have a 401(k) at work, for instance, reach out to the department that handles it for help (likely it’s H.R.). Otherwise, check your account online. Navigate to “holdings,” where you’ll see list of funds that make up your portfolio. You should be able to click on the fund to find out more information, including a list of its holdings, or companies that make up the fund.

Unfortunately, if you find a company you don’t want to support, you can’t just remove it from the mutual fund, according to Arianna Savant, former head of product at an impact investing platform.

“Essentially everyone who buys into that mutual fund has to all have the same underlying share,” she said. It’s hard to pick and choose the companies you want to invest in if you have an employer-sponsored retirement plan or invest in mutual funds on your own. Impact investing is a good compromise, however.

While regular investing just focuses on return — how much your investments will grow — impact investing considers the social impact of the companies you support, too. “It’s investing with the aim of making a difference alongside earning a financial return,” Ms. Savant said.

A common misconception with impact investing is that your investments won’t be as valuable over time. “It’s definitely a misconception that in order to invest in a way that social responsibility you have to sacrifice on the returns,” Ms. Savant said. And there’s proof: The Economist recently reported that sustainable funds outperformed the broader market in the U.S. during a major downturn.

Reduce your footprint

The term carbon footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gas, specifically carbon dioxide, emitted from an activity. If you want to get to the bottom of your own carbon footprint, the E.P.A.’s Carbon Footprint Calculator and The Nature Conservancy Carbon Calculator tell you how much your individual activities and day-to-day habits affect the environment. In general, there are some relatively simple ways to adjust your lifestyle and minimize your footprint.

Travel closer to home : Flying is notoriously bad for the planet . Some travelers have embraced the no-fly movement, or what’s called flygskam (flight shame) in Sweden, which is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2045 . “The no-fly movement is one I, personally, love for both its environmental impact and the accessibility it offers travelers,” said Nikki Vargas, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Unearth Women , a feminist travel publication. “Too often, we focus on big budget trips and counting passport stamps, but the truth is that travel is a privilege not afforded by everyone.”

Find green lodging: “One way that I always try and reduce my own ecological footprint is by shopping locally and organically. Looking for opportunities, such as local markets, gives travelers a way to stimulate local economies while also making their dollars stretch further,” Ms. Vargas said. She also recommended staying in eco-friendly hotels or resorts that are LEED certified — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — which is a widely used rating system for assessing green buildings. Similar green hotel programs, like Green Globe Certification , are also worth looking into.

Buy quality when you can: According to the World Resources Institute, polyester production for textiles released about 1.5 trillion pounds of greenhouse gases in 2015. And while organic materials are less destructive, they still contribute to climate change. In general, the problem is increased production and consumption. “We ask our customers to not buy stuff if they don’t really need it,” Mr. Ridgeway, the V.P. at Patagonia, said.

Shop secondhand : Your consumption doesn’t have to create more production. Look for retail products that are built to last a long time or are B-Corp or Fair Trade Certified. Fast fashion brands are indeed more affordable, but you can save money and still avoid creating more waste by shopping secondhand using tools like Poshmark and ThredUp .

Embrace a little minimalism

A 2012 study found no significant difference between green and “brown” consumers, explaining that consumers often offset the benefit of going green by consuming more. “Even when environmental awareness galvanizes green actions, it does not necessarily put a stop to increasing consumption,” the paper said. In other words, conscious consumption isn’t just about being a little greener, but questioning how — and how much — we consume to begin with.

Minimalist movements like the Buy Nothing Project and The Year of Less challenge us to think twice about our shopping habits. Part of the benefit is saving money, but minimalism also encourages us to live less wastefully. Considering the impact of consumer waste on the environment, it’s easy to see why minimalism is having a moment.

“So, for example, if you need to replace something you already own, try to have it repaired first,” Ms. Harreld said. “When shopping, ask yourself if you want or really need something. You’re responsible for all your possessions, so give it a second and really think about just how that thing is going to serve you,” she added. “That pause before making that purchase has saved me so much money.”

One smaller carbon footprint won’t fix climate change, but taking individual action can help compel the entities that have that power. You don’t have to be a perfect consumer; a lot of us just need to be a little better. “I have a vision of what I want the world to look like for my daughter,” Ms. Harreld said. “I do my part when I can.”

Personal Finance Sharing by Michelle

How to be a Smart Consumer?

I always believe it is important for all of us to learn how to be a smart consumer to stretch our money as far as possible.

Thus, I share below some of the steps we can take to learn how to be a smart consumer.

Table of Contents

1. compare prices, 2. look for deals and discounts, 3. know your rights as a consumer, 4. survey and gather information before making big purchases, 5. support retails shop with good practices, 6. plan your purchases, 7. think for long term benefits, 8. be careful of the word ‘sale’, final thoughts, 8 steps on how to be a smart consumer.

Read the 8 simple steps below to learn on how to be a smart consumer.

Most of these steps are easily incorporated into our daily life.

Don’t go for the first option you find. Instead, compare prices from different retailers or service providers both online and offline. Consider the quality of the product or service, warranty or guarantees, and the reputation of the retailer or provider.

For example, I noticed that prices in some of my local supermarkets are much higher than the other supermarkets.

So, what I did was visit a different supermarket during the next weekly grocery shopping to survey the prices. In this way, I will be able to identify and avoid those supermarkets with expensive price tags.

As for online services, compare the total fees and charges involved in a transaction. For example, consider e-money providers such as Wise money transfer for sending money abroad. Compared to sending money through traditional banks, you get to enjoy significant savings when you transfer through Wise.

Take advantage of discounts, coupons, promotions and sales to save money. But make sure the deal is a genuine one and not just a marketing trick.

This is not only applicable to goods and services available at physical stores but also services online.

For example, investment platforms such as Luno are welcoming new customers globally with free Bitcoin rewards by redeeming through a Luno promo code .

You can learn how to be a smart consumer by knowing and understanding your rights as a consumer .

Some consumer rights are as below:

• the right to accurate information (such as the price, quality, contents and guarantees of the product or service)
• the right to fair treatment (such as returning faulty or defective products)
• the right to protection against fraud to prevent from unfair and deceptive practices

For example, whenever you make a purchase, always ask for the official receipt. Look at the small prints on product vouchers. Also, check the expiry date on items before making the purchase.

If you feel something is not right – be it the service, the price, the quality of the products, ask for more details. If needed, speak up and seek assistance from your local authority.

Before making big purchases, do take time to survey either online or walk into stores to gather as much information as possible.

Some example of large purchases are:

• a new house
• furnishing a new home
• planning for a wedding
• getting a good health insurance

If you are planning for a new house, look for the important considerations when buying a house .

It will be painful if later you realized that you had overpaid for what you bought or there’s a better package or deal somewhere else.

It is also important to always prioritize quality and personal satisfaction over price .

This is super important. If all consumers practice this, we will be surrounded by happy consumers.

Try to avoid supporting those retail shops that are taking advantage of a consumer by offering overpriced products, providing poor customer service or deceiving customers.

Some of the things that you can consider are as below:

• read the retailer’s review (Google review, Facebook review, online store review)
• write a genuine review about your own experience (good or poor)
• be aware of product or service providers that earn good reputations through local media and social media.

Do take note of the timestamp of the reviews and the responses from the retailer or service provider (if any).

When consumers are cooperative and leave genuine reviews, this could create positive response and healthy competitions among retailers and businesses.

You also can learn on how to be a smart consumer by learning to plan your purchases .

For example, there is no need to go grocery shopping three times a week. This practice is not only wasting your time, but also wasting your money and your energy.

Plan for weekly grocery shopping instead.

Another example is to plan for your vacation. Avoid buying an air ticket or placing a hotel reservation just because the airline company or the hotel is having a promotion.

When you plan your purchases, you have sufficient time to prepare the required expenses and survey the available options as well.

This shall prevent you from impulsive buying is a good money management skill.

Always think for long term benefits , not only for big purchase items but everyday items as well.

Sometimes a cheaper product may end up costing you more in the long run due to frequent repairs or replacements. While some products or services are more expensive but offer better quality over the long run.

Whenever possible, practice smart spending by looking for quality over price. Because you get more long term benefit by investing in a better quality item.

Lastly, always be careful of the word ‘SALE’ or other promotional words.

Based on my experience, I noticed that some of the local departmental stores in my town (Kuching) are always on ‘SALE’.

From January through December, there are always sales – Clearance Sale, Mega Sale, Factory Sale, Crazy Sale.

But, I found out only some items are at a discounted price.

And for some clothing, they increased the price prior to the sale period. For example, the actual price of a blouse is RM80. But during the sale season, the price increased to RM100, with a 20% discount.

So, the price after the discount is still RM80. This means there’s no discount at all.

Thus, always be careful with the word ‘SALE’ or other promotional words.

As a consumer, we have our right to choose where and how to spend our money.

We all must learn how to be smart consumers in order to create a place with better living quality .

As more smart consumers will also be able to create a better quality product with reasonable price and improved service quality.

photo credit: The shopping type via photopin (license)

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How to become a smarter consumer and save.

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Stanford University marketing professor Itamar Simonson has studied consumer behavior for years and, until recently, considered most consumers “irrational,” making “inconsistent or incoherent” decisions, which were often “unambiguously the inferior choice.”

Now, Simonson — co-author of the new book Absolute Value: What Really Influences Customers in the Age of (Nearly) Perfect Information — has changed his mind and has advice for you as a result.

The reason for his turnaround: the Internet. Thanks to its myriad of websites with consumer and expert reviews, the Internet has enabled consumers to become much more informed decisionmakers when buying products.

But, Simonson says, although we now have more information to make better choices, “many consumers do not take advantage of that information.” Older consumers, in particular, are still not comfortable seeking reviews and expert opinions online, he says. And many of us remain susceptible as ever to influence by marketers.

Before you see my interview with Simonson below, let me give you two examples of why he used to call consumers “irrational.”

In a University of Iowa study, people rated beef presented to them as “90% lean” as better tasting than beef containing “10% fat” even though it was the same beef. Another example, from a Simonson study published in 1992: When people were asked to choose between two Minolta cameras, one for $169 and one for $239, they selected the less expensive model. But when they were presented with a third camera costing $469, many opted for the now, middle-priced $239 model that they had once rejected. Simonson says there’s no rational reason why the once-scorned camera suddenly became a better choice.

( MORE : The Upside of Changing Your Habits In Midlife )

So, now on to my questions and Simonson’s answers:

Next Avenue: Why do you believe consumers are more rational today?

Simonson: Consumers are much better informed about the actual, absolute values of products. When I started my career in the 1980s and for the following 20 years, my research showed that consumers often behaved irrationally. That was demonstrated by what I called the “compromise effect” in the camera test [mentioned above].

Recently a doctoral student here at Stanford, Taly Reich, and I tried to replicate this effect, but we found something interesting: For participants who first saw what consumers usually see when they shop for a camera online — lots of options, reviews written by other consumers, feature-comparison charts — the compromise effect was gone. They were no longer biased in favor of the middle option.  Once consumers are better informed about the absolute values of products, they are not dependent on things like brand name or a small set of options in front of them.

( MORE : 6 Money-Saving Travel Secrets )

And what has been the effect of the Internet?

Consumers are becoming less susceptible to marketers’ influence. They are better able to evaluate products for what they are, rather than just how the products are described or how they compare with other options they happen to see.

This means that, contrary to what we frequently hear, consumers will — on average — make better choices and act more rationally. But there’s a catch: All this will happen only if consumers take advantage of the new information that is available out there, things like reviews from other users and expert opinions.

Does this mean consumers are now less loyal to brands than before?

Yes, in certain categories. Loyalty was useful in the old days because it reduced your risk as a consumer. If you had a good experience with other products by Brand X, you trusted this brand and bought their new product. Yet we’ve all seen cases where one product by a particular company is great, but the next one is not so great. So today, many consumers have replaced such proxies for quality with better sources of information.

However, this doesn’t apply to categories like beer or toothpaste, where consumers don’t rely on reviews as much. In those categories, brand loyalty will still play an important role in purchase decisions.

This is also true for certain luxury products. For example, when buying a luxury handbag or a scarf you’re not likely to rely much on reviews from other users, so brand names can play a more significant role.

How can consumers learn to be more rational?

It’s not so much about learning how to be rational as it is about making sure you’re exposed to the right information sources. Some consumers still base even important decisions on information they get from marketers on TV, newspapers or on the phone, without taking advantage of new information sources.

To make better choices, they need to use information sources such as expert opinions, reviews from other users and advice from people they know.

But it’s not enough to hear others’ opinions. It’s important to use diverse sources, perspectives and options; to visit several websites to gather different points of views from experts, shoppers and users. Susceptibility to marketers’ influence will decline only for consumers who take advantage of diverse sources of information.

What is the importance of review sites such as Yelp or TripAdvisor?  How closely should consumers be reading them and how can they guard against phony reviews?

Review sites are a good source for information about products and services in that they give you a general idea about what you will likely experience.

It’s hard to detect fake reviews, so don’t rely on a single review but read several of them (and not only the good ones). If a restaurant has hundreds of reviews — and many do these days — you can get a sense of what this place is about.

Review sites are not perfect, so it’s a good idea to compare what users are saying with what experts are saying. In fact, sites such as Engadget (for consumer electronics) or Rotten Tomatoes (for movies) list expert and user ratings side by side.

Some other good websites for reviews include Zagat (for restaurants and nightspots), Expedia (travel), Amazon (many categories), Goodreads (for books) and CNET (for technology).

As the number of reviews and sites increases, isn’t there a danger of information overload?

You don’t have to read all the reviews of a particular restaurant to get a sense of your likely experience there. You can read several and take advantage of the fact that review sites often highlight the points that are frequently mentioned by reviewers. Searching on TripAdvisor , you can limit your search to hotels that best fit your needs.

While people face unprecedented amounts of information and some are overwhelmed by it, most consumers can handle the information just fine.

Are businesses aware of this new rationality? If so, what are they doing to address it? Are they creating new “gotchas” that consumers should be aware of?

There are companies that are fully aware of the new reality and the best of them try to address it by providing high-quality products and services based on what people say in their reviews. Unfortunately, there are also companies that try to game the system through fake reviews.

So consumers should take advantage of multiple information sources. In the long run, user and expert reviews have the potential to provide essential information about quality and help consumers make better decisions.

Caroline Mayer is a consumer reporter who spent 25 years working for The Washington Post. Follow her on Twitter @consumermayer.

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How to Be a Savvy Consumer

Last Updated: August 28, 2022 References

This article was co-authored by Michael R. Lewis . Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 30,396 times.

A savvy consumer knows exactly what they are buying and who they are buying from. You should always think before you buy and only make a purchase once you are satisfied you are getting an item or service for the best price and at the highest quality available. [1] X Research source You should try to always spend your money wisely and buy from trustworthy vendors so you ensure you are using your buying power effectively. You can also be a savvy consumer by finding the best deals and sales in store and online.

Spending Your Money Wisely

• Keep in mind salespeople may pressure you into a purchase by using “a good sale” as an incentive to buy. You should always pause and consider if you really can afford the item before you take out your credit card. You should also think about whether or not you need the item as you do not want to simply buy an item for the sake of spending money.

• For example, you may set a limit of $1,000 for your new television, where you cannot spend more than this amount. You may then do research to determine which television models are within your price range and which models have functions and add-ons that you can afford.
• You can also discuss your budget with a salesperson if you decide to buy the television in the store. Giving the salesperson a clear budget will allow them to show you the best products for your price range and meet your expectations as a consumer.

• You should also look at consumer reports on the items or service as well as any test results done by independent testers. These reports can help you compare different vendors and determine what your expectations should be as a consumer.
• For example, you may be looking for a new television. You should decide how large you want your new television to be as well as what you want the television to do for you. You may research the available televisions on the market and determine which television models are appealing to you.

• You should be especially wary of this when you purchase used or refurbished items. Make sure you are clear about what you are buying, especially if there is a “Buyer Beware” note on the item. Once you buy an item, you may not be able to return it or exchange it based on the terms of the transaction.

• You should also make sure the item is good quality for the price. This means determining what the item is made of, or the materials in the item. You should confirm that the item is well made and worth the price tag before you buy it.

Buying From Trustworthy Vendors

• You can also read the company's report with the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports. If the company requires licensing to operate, you should contact the licensing authority to confirm the company is properly licensed and has no record of disciplinary action.
• You should also make sure there is legitimate contact information for the vendor available online and in person. The vendor or seller should have an address and a phone number that you can verify is real and legitimate.

• Check to see if the referrals appear to be written by third party individuals, such as customers who have a history of using the vendor in the past. You should also check that the referrals are written by customers who have written many referrals for other businesses and services. Often, customers with many referrals for a variety of businesses will be discerning, savvy consumers.

Closing the Deal

• Trustworthy vendors will only ask you for your personal banking information once you have agreed to purchase an item or service online. Many vendors will use certified processing tools or sites to complete your purchase online. Legitimate vendors will have safeguards in place to protect your personal banking information from theft.

• You should check that the contract protects you as a consumer and does not limit or restrict you from returning or exchanging an item. If there is print that restricts you from doing this, you should be aware of it and willing to agree to it.
• If the sales pitch by the vendor includes details not in the contract, you should clarify this and request that it is added to the contract in writing. This will ensure you are protected as a consumer and that the contract is clear to both you and the vendor.

• You should also always keep records of any warranties you have for items you buy. Make sure you keep a copy of the warranty for at least the duration of the warranty, as you will need it in the event of an issue or incident with the item.
• There are apps available that you can download on your phone to help you keep track of your receipts, many of them free. These apps are easy to use and make it easy for you to maintain a record of your transactions without having to sift through piles of paper. [11] X Research source

Finding the Best Deals and Sales

• You may want to be selective about which vendors you subscribe to, as your email box may become stuffed with vendor emails over time. Subscribing to only vendors you like or value will ensure you read every offer and find deals you will use.
• Watch out for buying clubs that cost a monthly or annual fee. In many cases, these will not provide adequate discounts to be worth it.

• You should always inspect the item before you buy it at a thrift store. Make sure there is no damage to the item and that it appears in good condition. You may not be able to return it, as many thrift stores have a no return policy, so make sure it is clean and functional before you buy it.
• Refurbished items are items that have been used by someone else and then cleaned, repaired, and inspected so they are in like-new condition. Often, electronics are refurbished and sold by retailers online or in store. Always check the item and read any fine print in the sale price so you know exactly what you are buying.

• You should always check the coupons for any restrictions or limitations, such as how many coupons you can use at one time or how many items you can purchase with one coupon. You can ask the retailer if they will accept expired coupons, as some retailers do this, before you throw it away.
• You may focus on coupons for specific items, such as groceries, household products, or beauty products. You can then organize your coupons so you can find each one easily and get in the habit of using coupons on a daily basis.

• You can look for information on upcoming sales or current sales by checking the newspaper, looking at free advertising fliers from businesses, and by keeping an eye on television ads for promotions or sales. You can also look online for information about sales at a certain retailer or store.
• Keep in mind you should only buy items that you need and can afford, even if the price tag is marked down. Try to shop during peak times with a discerning eye, making sure you stay within your budget when you buy.

Addressing Issues with Products or Services

• You should remain calm when you speak to the store manager and explain the issue with the product. You may need to provide your payment information and proof of payment, such as a copy of your receipt.
• Most retailers should offer you a refund if an item is damaged or faulty. If the retailer has a no refund policy, it should be stated up front so you are aware of the policy as a consumer.
• If you speak to a retailer over the phone, document the details of your contact, including the date, time, who you talked to, what was said, and the outcome. This information may be useful if further action is needed.

• Keep in mind the BBB does not handle complaints related to discrimination or disputes between an employee and an employer. The BBB also cannot challenge any local, state, or federal laws as part of your complaint or issue.

• Keep in mind the FTC cannot resolve consumer complaints for you, but they can provide tips on how to get your money back from a shady retailer. Your complaint to the FTC can also allow them to flag the business so it is on their radar as a scam or fraudulent business.

Expert Q&A

• Be wary of “free” offers. Though it can be hard to say no to a free item or service, you should be skeptical of “free” offers from vendors or sellers. Often, theses “free” offers come with hidden fees or act as an incentive to get you to buy items you may not need. Just because an item is advertised as “free” does not mean it comes with no strings attached. [18] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/savvy_consumer_tip_Card.pdf
• ↑ https://www.araglegal.com/newsroom/releases/2014/141216-arag-offers-ten-tips-on-how-to-be-a-savvy-consumer.htm
• ↑ http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-apps-for-managing-your-receipts/
• ↑ http://dealnews.com/features/What-Does-Refurbished-Mean/
• ↑ http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/beginners/extreme-couponing-101
• ↑ http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/dispute-credit-card-product-merchant-1282.php
• ↑ https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started
• ↑ https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint-ftc
• ↑ http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/small-claims-court-business-disputes-29568.html

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Ten commandments for being a smart consumer

It’s National Consumer Protection Week , a perfect time to unveil the new-and-improved version of my Ten Commandments. Follow these rules every day and you should have fewer problems with the purchases you make and greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to a scam. 

1. Thou Shalt Do Your Homework  

Your time is precious. You’re in a rush and want to get it done now. But you simply must do your homework before you spend any significant amount of money on a product or service. 

Think of the hassle – in time and money – if that washer or refrigerator is always breaking down.  That’s why it’s so important to research different brands and models. Read online reviews. Talk to friends and neighbors. Price shop to find out what you should expect to pay. 

The more you know before you head to the store, the more likely you are to get a good deal on the right product. 

Remember the goal is the best value for your money, not necessarily the lowest price. A smart consumer looks for a good, reliable product that’s reasonably-priced. The cheapest product may not be the best deal in the long-run if it doesn’t perform, or needs costly repairs. 

2. Thou Shalt Not Assume Anything

A simple misunderstanding can lead to major problems. The best way to avoid this is to ask a lot of questions. 

Don’t assume the department store will remove your old mattress when it drops off the new one.  Ask. Don’t assume website search engines put the best deals first. They may get paid to skew the results to sponsors. Find out. Don’t assume the “economy size” is always the best price. Smaller sizes may go on sale for a lower price per pound or ounce. Check to see.

3. Thou Shalt Read the Fine Print

Sign a contract or agree to the terms and conditions on a website and you are bound by it. All too often important information is buried in the fine print.  Read all legal documents before you physically or digitally sign them. This is the only way to know what the company will do for you, what the company is allowed to do to you (i.e. share your personal information) and what’s expected of you.

4. Thou Shalt Get All Promises in Writing

It doesn’t matter what the salesperson promises. It doesn’t count if it isn’t written down. In a dispute, you cannot prove what was said without some sort of written documentation . Don’t do business with anyone who promises to do something but refuses to put it on the receipt or in the contract. 

5. Thou Shalt Keep a Paper Trail 

It’s easy to toss a receipt once you get home from the store. Better to keep it for a while. You may need it if you want to return the item. 

Some stores have strict return policies: no receipt, no return. Others will let you return something without a receipt, but you’ll only get the most recent sale price and/or a store credit. A receipt ensures you get the full amount back in cash. It also proves when you bought something if there’s a dispute about whether it’s still under warranty. 

6. Thou Shalt Review All Your Account Relationships

Constant change is the new normal. Banks revise their fee structures. Wireless and cable companies modify their packages and pricing tiers. You change how you use these services. Try to look at these business relationships once a year. There may be a better deal possible if you ask for it. Many companies won’t volunteer this information. You need to be proactive. It could save you some serious money. 

7. Thou Shalt Never Wire Money to a Stranger 

 Wire transfers are instant, irreversible and nearly impossible to trace. That’s why so many scammers try to get their victims to wire them money. If you don’t know the person or company requesting the wire transfer – don’t do it.

Some con artists mail out professional-looking checks for thousands of dollars. The letter says you’ve won a sweepstakes or lottery. All you have to do is cash the check and wire back some money to pay for taxes or processing or some other bogus reason. 

Reality check: you didn’t win anything. That prize check is counterfeit and if you wire off that money, you’ll never see it again. 

(Read: Money Transfers Can Be Risky Business ) 

8. Thou Shalt Be Skeptical of All Advertising and Marketing Claims

False and deceptive ads can appear anywhere: on trusted websites, in well-known publications, on TV or radio. Don’t assume the publishing or broadcasting company verified the advertising claims. They rarely do. Prosecutors do their best to stop misleading ads, but they can’t keep up with problem. So you’re on your own. 

How do you fight back? Follow Commandment No. 1 and do your homework before you part with your hard-earned money. 

9. Thou Shalt Guard All of Your Private Information

Keep your private information private. Never give out passwords, pin codes or account numbers to an unknown caller – no matter how official they sound or what the caller ID shows. (Caller ID  numbers can be “spoofed” so they look like it’s the bank or police calling, when in reality it’s a bad guy in another state or country.) Hang up. 

The same rule goes for email requesting personal information. It may look official. It may say there’s a problem with your account and you need to respond right away. Don’t. Hit Delete, because this is just a phishing scam . 

Banks and other companies you do business with never call or send an email to ask for your personal information. They already have it. If you get such a call or email and want to see if there really is a problem with your account, call the company at a number you know is legit. For instance, from your statement, phone book or the back of a credit card. 

Shred all documents that contain personal information. Many identity thieves still use the old-fashioned way of stealing your Social Security and financial account information – they look in the trash.  

(Read: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft )

10. Thou Shalt Not Assume Every Transaction Can Be Undone

Many people think they have three days to change their mind after they buy something. That’s rarely the case. The Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule only applies to sales of $25 or more that take place at your home or away from the company’s normal place of business. In other words, you cannot buy a car and try to take it back to the dealer if you don’t like it when you get home.

Some states also have cooling-off rules for time share purchases and health club or campground memberships. But for most things, merchants are not required to accept returns for products that are not defective. This is a customer service they may or may not offer.

ConsumerMan Note: This column marks my sixth anniversary with msnbc.com. Thanks to everyone who has written with story ideas and words of encouragement.

I hope you’ll follow me on Facebook . This is great way to get the information you need to make smart decisions in an increasingly complicated marketplace.

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How to Be a Smarter Shopper Right Now

While shortages, price spikes, and delays can be frustrating, there are easy ways to find what you need for the right price, sharing is nice.

We respect your privacy . All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.

If you're in the mood to spend, you're not alone.

"In the first half of 2021, we saw a return of optimism and spending," says Tamara Charm, who works for the global management consulting firm McKinsey as an agile consumer insights leader.

And yet the way we're buying reflects the many long-term changes brought on by the pandemic. E-commerce sales (long on the upswing) jumped 32 percent in 2020, more than double the growth rate in 2019, according to the market research firm Mintel. Even as shoppers venture back into walk-in stores now that vaccines have eased restrictions, online sales remain strong. The experience of having almost everything delivered to one's door has probably changed some shopping habits for good.

In a February 2021 Consumer Reports nationally representative survey  (PDF) of more than 2,500 Americans, 76 percent said that "shopping is a better experience today because the internet makes it easier to get whatever I want, whenever I want it."

It's hard to argue with convenience. "People are generally still working from home at least part of the time, and have more flexibility to order online and be home for deliveries," says Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.

But despite the convenience factor—or the enthusiasm for going into stores again—the process of shopping, whether it's for a Halloween costume or an outdoor fire pit , comes with new complications because of price inflation, product shortages, and shipping delays. Plus, the endless options available online can make it difficult to find just what you need.

The best way to shop today depends on what you're buying, how much you want to spend, and when you need it. Read on for our expert guide to get the right stuff at the right price.

Before You Start Shopping, Ask This

What Do You Want? Follow the path that Samantha Gordon, CR's deals editor, recently took when she moved into a new house and needed, well, everything. "I searched online for things like ‘best coffee maker,' " she says. When you do that, your search engine will come up with links to online content offering reviews and opinions on products (for example, CR's own " Best Coffee Makers of 2021 "), as well as listings from retailers. Use the articles to learn about the types of products available—say, drip vs. pod-style machines. Then you can drill down to specific ones from there.

Does It Fit Your Needs? Set a budget for yourself and eliminate anything outside its limits. By reading multiple reviews, you'll get a sense of price ranges and which brands are best. Keep in mind, however, that not all reviews are authentic. (A study by the review analysis site Fakespot pegged the percentage of fake reviews on Amazon at about 30 percent.) If you're not familiar with a brand, read the comments about it in social media posts, where people might talk about quality and customer service. And check the return policy so that you don't get stuck with a stinker.

Shop In-Store or Online? Almost half of consumers said they missed the ability to touch and try products on the spot during lockdowns, and 35 percent said they missed the social aspect of shopping, according to a study by Mood Media in June. See more reasons you might want to go to a store . Here are some other considerations.

Size:  The bigger the item, the more important it might be to see it in person—and to check the return policy, says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at the shopping comparison site DealNews. "The only thing worse than getting stuck with an item you can't use is getting stuck with one that's also heavy and awkward, and has to be removed by someone else."

Price: If you know what you want and you're just looking for a good deal, go online. Take pet food: You'll find enticing discounts from online retailers, and you can get even better prices through loyalty programs. Plus, there's no lugging heavy bags of chow to and from your car.

An influx of overly positive or negative reviews posted within a week or two could mean they're not legit, says Saoud Khalifah, founder of the review analysis site Fakespot. Other red flags include spelling errors and repetitive language in multiple reviews. See if you can find video reviews; they tend to be harder to fake, say Khalifah and CR's deals editor, Samantha Gordon.

Set Yourself Up to Save

What's Different When McKinsey asked consumers about what they planned to splurge on this year, Tamara Charm expected them to say travel and dining. They did say that, but they also said they looked forward to buying electronics, home goods, cosmetics, and more. "Folks are excited to spend as life gets back to normal," she says.

But when it comes to the cost of consumer goods, things aren't exactly normal. A combination of high demand for everything from lumber to outdoor furniture and supply-chain shortages for those very same products has driven prices up and available deals down. Appliance retailers, for one, are offering smaller discounts and fewer promotions, industry experts say.

Still, stores are angling for your business, and online tools make it easier to compare prices, so you're not doomed to overpay as long as you shop carefully.

Save More In-Store Because so many walk-in stores also have websites (or compete with e-commerce stores), the internet is your key to getting in-person deals. So check the online price of anything you're considering buying in a store, and ask the retailer to match it. (In CR's member surveys, most shoppers who try to negotiate say they're successful.) If you can't get a better price, ask for something else—delivery or assembly thrown in free, for example. Some retailers, such as Petco, Kohl's, and Walmart, are offering discounts, rebates, or incentives to shoppers who "buy online, pick up in store" (also called BOPUS).

Find the Best Deals Online 1. Use sites to save . Search Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, or Shopzilla as well as CR.org to see prices across retailers. CR's shopping pros also look for deals at websites like DealNews, GottaDeal, and DealsPlus, where you can sign up for alerts for products you're interested in, often by category.

2. Add to your cart. If you're signed in at a website and leave an item in your cart without checking out, some retailers might send you an email with a discount code to encourage you to buy.

3. Join a loyalty program. Signing up for one may get you early access to coupons, sales, and promotions, plus rewards on what you buy.

4 Get social. Retailers often post exclusive promotions on their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds, and reward customers who "like" or follow them with alerts for discounts, incentives, and giveaways.

The savings can be significant. On Apple's website, for example, we recently found a refurbished iPhone XR with 128 gigabytes of storage for $469. And you're likely to be happy with your buy. In CR's Spring 2018 survey of over 3,000 members with refurbished smartphones, a majority told us they were highly satisfied with theirs. Look for a certified pre-owned phone—with a warranty—that you can return.

Heading Out to a Store

What's Different Walk-in stores today don't look quite the same as they did in 2019. Thousands didn't make it through the pandemic. At those that have survived, you can expect not only ubiquitous hand-sanitizing stations but also potentially fewer salespeople because of a post-pandemic labor crunch.

"The service that you find in a store right now might not be what you were accustomed to pre-pandemic," says Audrey Guskey, PhD, an associate professor of marketing at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and an expert on consumer trends.

Depending on what you're purchasing, you might also find less available stock. Supply-chain shortages in semiconductors , electronics, lumber, and foam affect many categories, including laptops and furniture.

Shop In-Store Strategically Beyond the appeal of retail therapy—an afternoon spent with a friend hitting favorite shops and coffee spots at the mall or strolling down Main Street—there are certain times when a physical store is the best place to find what you need.

1. When comfort is key: If you'll spend a lot of time sitting or lying on a piece of furniture—like a sofa or mattress—it's worth heading to a store to try before you buy. Ditto for anything where ergonomics are important, like a keyboard, fitness equipment, and musical instruments.

With clothing, it's an "it depends" situation. You can find just about anything online and it's usually easy to return. But if fit is really important—say, for running shoes or evening wear—you might want the help of a store associate or the convenience of in-house tailoring.

2. If color or scale really matters: Computer screens and photography can distort the way colors appear and make it difficult to judge size. So if you really want to make sure that a new rug will match your curtains or that a new chair doesn't dwarf your side table, you might want to see it in person, especially if it's something large and difficult to return. And measure your space and existing furnishings before you go.

3. Because you want a curated selection: Going to a store with a limited number of carefully chosen options can help simplify your choices. And the owner or an experienced salesperson of a specialty shop may be able to offer advice for your specific needs.

It can be. Just know that retail cards also typically have higher interest rates, lower credit limits, and lower rewards than general interest cards, says Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert with NerdWallet. Before you sign up, do the math to see if the discount is worth it. Also: Applying will typically generate a "hard inquiry" on your credit report, which can temporarily hurt your credit score.

Shopping Online

What's Different Retail giants like Amazon, Kmart, and Walmart now host third-party or "marketplace" sellers, independent retailers who often have their own shipping and return policies that may differ from those of the main platform. Fake reviews have proliferated everywhere. And even the search process has become less than straightforward.

Keep in mind that a "sponsored" label with an item means that a company paid to get its product listed at the top of the results page. And the "Amazon's Choice" label, another example, doesn't mean someone from Amazon reviewed it but rather that an algorithm found it ranked well in terms of reviews, pricing, and availability to ship quickly.

Find It Faster 1. Use your tabs. Try what Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst, does: Type an item into your search engine, then click through to one of the retailers that comes up. Find the product you like best and keep that page open. Go to a new tab and repeat the process at another retailer. That way, you can compare.

2. Filter for your needs. Retailers typically have a side or top panel where you can choose to limit your search by factors like brand, size, color, and average customer review rating.

3. Set a timer. If you're prone to decision paralysis, Bob Sullivan, author of "Gotcha Capitalism" (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018), suggests setting a timer to go off a few minutes after you've started searching. "Just stopping and doing something else can help you make a choice," he says.

First, check that lower online price. Note the shipping costs and return policy, and see what's included, like unboxing or basic setup. Then ask the store whether it can match the online price. If it can't, you'll have to weigh price vs. supporting an independent retailer that may offer benefits such as individual advice and a curated selection—if not rock-bottom prices.

Coping With Customer Service

Many retailers now use artificial intelligence customer service "chatbots" (essentially, robots with whom you can instant message for assistance).

If you'd rather talk to a person, ask the chatbot for a phone number you can call. Or check the website GetHuman, an online directory with customer service guides and phone numbers for thousands of national and international companies.

If that's not getting you anywhere, switch to social media—but that doesn't mean publicly airing your grievance. Direct messaging a company's social media account is often the quickest path to a response.

Always be sure you understand the shipping and return policies before you buy, including the return window, whether you need a receipt or proof of purchase, and whether you'll have to pay a restocking fee.

Don't assume that third-party sellers have the same return and shipping policies as the main site. Look for the "sold by" label on the item you're buying and click through to the seller's storefront to check its policies. Also read customer reviews for the seller and the products it offers. Tread carefully if there's a lot of negative feedback.

Did you get bad customer service? Learn  how to complain well and get results .

If you're picking a similar model from a reliable brand (see our ratings ), buying online makes sense. If you're considering a new type—say, an induction model when you've always had gas—you might want to see it and get personal advice. Some independent retailers also offer repair service, which could help down the line.

Editor's Note:  This article also appeared in the October 2021 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Beth Braverman

Beth Braverman is a freelance writer who contributes to Consumer Reports on personal finance topics. Conscious of the intersection of life and money, she is always looking for ways to make more mindful decisions about both.

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Get money smart. 25 tips to improve your financial well-being

Your financial well-being, or overall financial situation, is unique to you. Often, we equate how well we’re doing financially with how much money we make, our credit score, or overall net worth. In reality, your financial well-being is determined by factors that tell a larger story about your relationship to money. This includes how well you’re able to stay on top of your financial obligations, how secure you feel about your financial future, and ultimately whether you have the freedom to make financial choices that allow you to enjoy your life.

The story you tell about your finances doesn’t need to be a scary one. This October, during Financial Planning Month, we’ve pulled together 25 easy-to-follow tips for getting a handle on your money and improving your overall financial well-being. It starts with getting a realistic picture of where your money is coming from and where it’s going. Then, we walk you through how to stay on top of your finances so you can plan—and save—for the future. 

How would you rate your financial well-being? Get started by taking our quiz, and join us online throughout October by following #FinancialPlanningMonth and sharing these tips and tools.

Understand where your money goes 

The prequel to your financial story begins with a look into your past and current finances. What do you spend money on, and where are you getting your income? By tracking these factors, you can get a better sense of your financial picture today so you can plan for the future.

1. Take our quiz to see how healthy your finances are.

Answer just 10 questions to measure your financial well-being and get a few steps for making improvements. Take it now, then take it again later to see if your story has changed.

2. Learn where your money is coming from.

Before you can make any improvements, you need to get an accurate picture of your finances. Start by tracking your sources of income .

3. Learn where your money is going.

Fill out our spending tracker to get a sense of your regular expenses. To get a handle on your money, you need a system that will allow you to track your daily spending on an ongoing basis. Find and stick to a system that works best for you.

4. Write your bill due dates on a calendar.

If you have trouble making ends meet at the end of the month, the timing of your income and expenses may be off. It’s often helpful to see the full picture. Write down the due dates for your bills on a printed calendar that you can look at regularly as you plan for the weeks ahead.

Small changes can make a big difference

There are some easy steps you can take to turn the corner on your finances. Once you have an accurate picture of your money, follow these tips to start aligning your expenses to your income. 

5. Create a working budget that matches your cash flow.

Your cash flow is the timing of when money comes in and when it goes out. Looking at it on a week-by-week basis, especially if you tend to run short, can help you create a working monthly budget .

6. Request due dates for your bills that help you stay on track.

If there are certain weeks when money is especially tight, you can contact your creditors and utility companies and request new due dates that better align with your income .

7. Compare your spending month-to-month.

Track your spending closely for several months. By looking at your spending in real-time and comparing it to the previous month , you’ll start to see places where you can make adjustments and move money into savings.

Save for emergencies

Saving money might feel out of reach at times, but consistently putting away even small amounts of money can make a big impact over time. Check out our tips for making saving a part of your everyday routine, and then watch it grow. 

8. Give yourself financial security with an emergency savings fund.

Start by putting aside what you can afford in order to help cover many common emergencies, such as a car repair or medical bill, that could otherwise become costly debt. Prioritize a dedicated savings account for these unexpected expenses as one of your top savings goals, and as you get a better handle on your overall financial situation, you may decide to set more aside.

9. Set rules for your emergency savings–but don’t be afraid to use it.

Set guidelines for yourself for when you can spend down this savings fund and what constitutes an emergency, but if you need it, don’t be afraid to use it. That’s what it’s there for. Just remember to work to rebuild it.

10. Make saving easy by making it automatic.

Whether it’s through your bank or employer, there are a number of ways to have money automatically transferred into your savings every week or month . Reoccurring transfers are considered one of the most effective ways to build your savings.

11. Put extra money into savings at times when you have it.

There may be weeks when money is tighter than others. Take the opportunity to put money into savings when you have it.

12. Use your tax refund to help you reach financial goals.

For many Americans, a tax refund can be one of the largest checks they receive all year. Make a plan now to dedicate a portion of that money to saving for some of your larger financial or savings goals.

Reduce your debt 

Paying down debt can seem scary or tough, but with some proven strategies, you can make it happen, bit by bit. Our tips for reducing debt can help you find the right methods to trim your debt into something that feels manageable.

13. Before making a plan to pay down your debts, know what you owe.

Use our debt log to get a sense of the amount of debt you owe, including interest rate and projected payoff date, and who you owe it to.

14. Choose a debt reduction strategy that works best for you.

There are two common strategies to pay down your debt: the highest interest-rate method and the snowball method. Learn the differences and pick the one that works best for you .

15. Learn about federal and private student loans repayment options.

Whether you have federal or private student loans, or a mix of the two, start with the loans you’re most concerned with, and learn how to optimize paying them off .

16. In the market for a car? Negotiating can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

Plan ahead, and learn what’s negotiable.

Create better money habits 

Improving how you manage your money on a daily basis may take time and dedication, but as you develop better money habits, you’ll create a financial story that you’re proud of. 

17. Apply only for credit you need.

While it’s not the only factor, a good credit score is key to your financial well-being. One way to get and keep a good credit score is to apply only for credit you need.

18. Set an annual reminder to check your credit reports.

You’re entitled to free credit reports every 12 months , so set up an annual reminder to review them for any errors that may be hurting your credit and should be fixed.

19. Set up alerts to stay on top of your checking account balance.

Through most banks and credit unions, you’re able to set up alerts to notify you of your checking account balance at the end of the week or if your balance gets low. This helps you monitor your accounts and also protects you from incurring additional overdraft fees .

20. If you can’t make a bill payment, act fast and call your creditors.

Missing a bill payment can have several negative financial impacts. If you’re experiencing a financial emergency, contact your lenders or creditors before your due date to see what options may be available to you.

21. When shopping for a loan, get quotes from at least three lenders.

One of the best ways to save money on a loan is to shop around and get estimates from several lenders to best compare terms and fees. This is true for home loans as well as other types of loans, including auto loans .

Plan for success

Planning ahead is always helpful, and once you get a handle on your current financial picture, set some goals for what comes next. By building a plan, you have a roadmap to help guide you through the rest of your story. 

22. When planning for the future, set SMART financial goals.

Break down your financial goals so that they’re S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R elevant, and T ime-bound. While dreams tend to be aspirational and often vague, setting actionable SMART goals can help you reach your dreams.

23. Set up a 529 savings plan for your children.

If you have young children, college may seem far off, but to help reduce their need for student loans, a 529 plan is an investment account where your money can grow tax-free.

24. Make your savings consistent.

Putting even a small amount into savings on a consistent basis is one of the best ways to get your savings to grow so you can meet your goals, small or large. Set your own personal savings rule to live by and make a plan on how to achieve it .

25. Prepare for life events and large purchases by planning ahead.

Once you get a handle on your finances, you can start to map out life events and large purchases , so you can begin saving!

If you’ve taken some time to work through these tips, starting with our financial well-being quiz , we encourage you to go back and take it again at the end of October. Improving your financial health and well-being takes time, but the more you know, the more empowered you’ll be to make informed decisions that’ll improve your financial future.

Join the conversation. Follow CFPB on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook .

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How to be a Smart Consumer

Waste prevention.

A large component of Zero Waste involves realizing that the creation of waste is often not necessary. There are many things that we can do as consumers to prevent waste.

Reuse Your Bags

Use reusable bags every time you go shopping instead of plastic ones. This is why:

• Each year billions of bags end up in our streets as litter.
• Production requires vast amounts of oil.
• Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, but instead break down into small toxic particles polluting our soil and waterways.
• Recent studies have shown that plastic outnumbers plankton 6:1 in the ocean.

Tips on how to be a Smart Consumer

• Buy products that have long life spans – avoid disposable items.
• Buy products that have minimal packaging.
• Buy products in their concentrated form.
• Buy only what you need. Consuming less, you dispose of less waste.
• Consider buying in bulk for those necessary purchases. You will save money and reduce packaging.

Buy Products Made from Recycled Material (and Products that can be Recycled)

Buy products that are made from recycled materials. This encourages manufacturers to produce more. Buy products that are easy to recycle. This puts materials back in the loop for use in other products.

Other Waste Prevention Tips

• Save paper, time and postage by paying your bills online.
• As the price of paper, cards and postage increases, consider emailing e-cards.
• When printing documents, print on both sides of the paper.
• Email documents and information instead of printing and mailing them.
• Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.

Moving and not Wasting

The average American moves every two years. Think about the amount of waste created each time you move from one place to another. 

Here is what you can do for an eco-friendly move:  Look for eco-friendly moving companies that provide packing materials.

Watch our CAAP video to learn how you can be empowered to build a cleaner, more resilient future for the City of Irvine. 

The City's recent Electrification 101 Workshop brought together nearly 60 community members, more than 10 partner organizations, and local contractors to highlight electrification's importance as a key strategy to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Irvine.

The State of California will be  banning the sale of new small off-road engine-powered garden equipment (SORE) , such as leaf blowers, lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and small chainsaws beginning January 1, 2024. 

The City of Irvine is proud to offer Irvine homeowners of single-family residences access to XeroHome, an online program that helps community members identify ways to reduce their home energy bills and lower carbon footprints. 

June 8, 2024

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June 12, 2024

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July 10, 2024

View All Environmental Programs Events

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How to be an Intelligent Consumer and the Importance of Becoming One

In today’s age being an informed consumer is difficult because there is so much information that is being fed to us from all directions. This is especially true with the emergence of the internet and social media. One has to be cognizant of all news about product recalls, unhealthy foods, questionable financial products or policies and be on high alert for common scams or frauds. The problem is that a lot of different companies fund different studies to make their product look better in the eyes of the consumer. An example of this could be two different ‘scientific’ studies saying different things about a food product and how it impacts health.

Unfortunately, not all of us will have a phd in chemistry or even the time to properly analyze these studies. but in order to be an intelligent consumer one needs to understand and read as much as they can about all sides of the argument before making a critical buying decision., the following paragraphs will detail some fundamental steps to follow to be a more intelligent consumer. , research as much as possible, as a consumer, whenever you purchase a product you should never guess. it is important to do the proper research on said product. there is a lot of quality information at our disposal. from reading google, amazon, yelp, and other website reviews to looking at more prestigious government websites and magazines to find the appropriate information you are looking for is a must., for example, most consumers do not know or understand the difference between an air filter and air purifier. doing some proper research on google, we can quickly find that both products have the same goal in mind, that is to sieve out pollutants such as dust, bacteria, mold and allergens. according to the experts from https://filterbuy.com/resources/air-filters-vs-air-purifiers/ , the difference of the two is the method at which the air filtration is achieved. understand the fundamental basics between two different products and establish preliminary knowledge on what the known brands might be in your area. after, you can take the name of the known brand and do a simple search to read other people’s reviews and how the product worked. with this amount of information, it would be easier for you to choose what you need and what fits you best., read details, being a smart consumer means you have to read all details of a product, including the fine print that many people look over. this is especially true for things like contracts, warranties, and return policies. it is always a good idea to read through all information and ask the right questions when something is unclear. a lot of times consumers tend to skip reading directions or safety instructions of a product, assuming that they know what they are doing. however, various products might operate in different ways so from a safety standpoint, it pays to read every little detail provided in the instructions or operation manual., know the company, it is very important that your product is bought or manufactured by a reputable company with skin in the game. nowadays, this is not so easy to distinguish especially when most products are manufactured overseas. it can be hard to tell whether your product is manufactured by the original company or if it came from a copycat producer who often makes less durable products and might be prone to risking the health and safety for profits. therefore, a knowledgeable consumer not only knows what product they should be buying, but where and how they should be buying it. buying a brand name product often means you get a much higher quality., keep in mind the environment and safety, it is important for consumers to force companies to be more sustainable . thus, choosing a product that is more eco-friendly or from a company that tries to use sustainable production practices not only benefits the company in terms of profit but your dollars can also indirectly benefit the environment. from a safety standpoint, it is important to always check government websites on product recalls. a lot of times manufacturers do not announce their recalls so it pays to research a product thoroughly before buying even if the burden of safety might fall on the producers., overall being a smart consumer means to thoroughly research the product you are buying and ensuring it is intended to safely and efficiently do what you bought it for. consumers have a right to having choices, safe products, and making informed choices in the marketplace. thus, being an informed consumer and regurgitating as much information as possible is the way to go., share this:, leave a reply cancel reply, discover more from.

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Guide Your Students to Become Better Research Consumers

• Higher Education
• Statistical Analysis

It’s the first day of class. Students read a popular press clipping about a study (Something like, “Eat dessert for breakfast to lose weight” or “Facebook can raise your self-esteem” or “Why we lie”) and give their first responses.

Here’s what they say:

“How big was the sample? Was it representative of the whole population?”

“Was the sample random?”

“We questioned what type of people these were. Why these 63 people?”

“Did they do a baseline measure?”

In my years of teaching psychology, I’ve made an informal study of student responses like these. I’ve learned that students — at least the students at my selective university — are not very good consumers of research information. When it comes to reading about research, my students are very concerned about things that we psychologists are not: They care a lot about whether a sample is large. They care about whether the sample was “random.” They are deeply skeptical about survey research — they think everybody lies.

Beginning college students get a lot wrong, too: They almost always think larger samples are more representative. They call every problem with a study a “confound.” They know that “random” is important in research, but they’re not sure if they mean “random assignment” or “random sampling.” They distrust the experimental post-test only design: They want baseline tests to make sure that “groups are equal.”

At the start of their psychology education, students are not good consumers of information. But they need to be, and we can teach them to be.

Why Are Consumer Skills Needed?

Our undergraduate students won’t become just like us: Most of them (even the best ones) do not want to be researchers when they grow up. In my own classes, only one or two hands go up when I ask who wants to be a researcher. But this doesn’t mean students don’t need research skills — they just need a different set of research skills. Rather than learning to plan, execute, analyze, and write up a research study, students need to learn how to read research and evaluate it systematically .

The APS website provides a continually updated list of psychological science studies that have been covered in the popular press. Use this list to find current examples for your students to analyze — both in class and on exams. 

In their future roles as parents, therapists, salespeople, teachers, and so on, our students will need a particular subset of critical thinking skills related to reading and evaluating research information. They need to learn why a study with a small sample isn’t necessarily terrible; why researchers rarely conduct experiments on random samples of the population; and why only an experiment can support a causal claim. And importantly, in their future lives, our students won’t necessarily be reading about our research in journals — they’re much more likely to encounter a description of a research study on an Internet server, where a journalist has picked up an interesting study about Facebook, chocolate, ADHD, or bullying. Students should learn to evaluate this content, too.

Finally, good quantitative reasoning skills are an essential part of a liberal arts education. Educated citizens should learn to use data to support arguments, as well as how to evaluate the data used in others’ arguments .

Teach Students to Use Four Validities

I have found it useful to teach students a systematic way to evaluate any research study based on four “Big Validities” — those used by Cook & Campbell (1979) and promoted by other methodologists (e.g., Judd & Kenny, 1981). The big four are:

• external validity (the extent to which a study’s findings can generalize to other populations and settings);
• internal validity (the ability of a study to rule out

alternative explanations and support a causal claim);

• construct validity (the quality of the study’s measures and manipulations); and
• statistical validity (the appropriateness of the study’s conclusions based on statistical analyses).

To evaluate any study they read, students can ask questions in these four categories:

• “Can we generalize?” (External);
• “Was it an experiment? If so, was it a good one?” (Internal);
• “How well did they operationalize that variable?” (Construct); and
• “Did they have enough people to detect an effect? How big was the effect? Is it significant?” (Statistical).

These four validities can be used to evaluate almost any study and can be spiral-taught at any level. Introductory psychology students can master the questions and apply them to simple studies. In research methods courses, almost all topics fit somewhere into this framework. In upper-level courses, students can apply these validities to primary sources they read. Even graduate students can use this framework to organize their first peer reviews of journal submissions.

At the beginning of the semester, students’ ways of thinking about research are like a “before” picture on a home-organization show. Not everything they say about research is garbage, but it’s not all in the right place, either:

• “Individual differences are such a large confound in this study, and that’s why it also has problems generalizing to other situations, since every situation is different.”
• “There are too many confounds. For example, everybody’s mood is different and that affected the data.”
• “This sample size is too small to generalize.”

The four validities serve as organizational boxes into which students can sort disordered thoughts about research. Statements about “random sampling” and “every situation is different” belong in the External Validity box. Questions about “random assignment” and “confounds” go in the Internal Validity box. Students should be reminded that there is a Construct Validity box, too, since they do not spontaneously ask about the quality of a study’s measures and manipulations.

As the semester progresses, students learn that “this sample size is too small” is not, in fact, an external validity concern, but a statistical validity problem (if, in fact, it’s a problem at all). Similarly, they can learn that the common complaint “everybody is different” is not an internal validity problem, as they often surmise, but rather a statistical problem of unsystematic variance and noise.

Perhaps most importantly, the four validities approach teaches the critical thinking skill of setting priorities . A study is not simply “valid” or “invalid.” Instead, researchers prioritize some validities over others. Many psychology studies have excellent construct and internal validity, but poor external validity. But that can be okay — psychological scientists who are testing a theory or trying to make a causal claim typically prioritize internal over external validity.

Teaching Consumer Skills All Semester Long

If we want students to learn to be better consumers of research information (including that covered in popular press), they need practice via multiple learning opportunities. Transfer of learning is demonstrably difficult, so we can’t assume that teaching students to conduct their own studies will simultaneously teach them to be good consumers of other people’s research. We should provide multiple structured activities and assessments that require consumer skills.

At the start of their education, student thinking about research is like the “before” picture on a home organization show. Applying the “Four Validities” helps students organize their questions about research studies into four distinct categories.

To engage students as consumers, use examples of psychological science in the news they read in the real world. Students will be reading about research in the way they’ll most commonly read about it in the future — secondhand. When journalists cover psychology research (and they often do), they include enough basic details of the study to identify whether a particular study was correlational or experimental, what the main variables were, what the sample was, and so on. Students can practice asking about the four validities as they read journalism stories.

Through using journalistic sources, students learn to identify when they don’t have enough information. A journalist may not describe how a researcher operationalized “exposure to Facebook” or “dessert for breakfast.” And journalists rarely indicate which of a study’s findings are statistically significant. It’s good for students to identify such gaps. But be careful — sometimes students assume the worst. Mine commonly say, “It doesn’t say if people were randomly assigned, so the internal validity is poor.” We need to assure students that “I don’t know” can be the correct answer.

To find news articles, consult online treasure troves. The APS Twitter feed, @PsychScience, publishes stories about APS members whose research is covered in the press, and the APS website keeps a running list as well, at www.psychologicalscience.org/MembersInTheNews . Many other Twitter users specialize in finding and announcing good examples of psychological science. In a pinch, you can always go to msnbc.com and click on “Health” or “Science” for classroom-worthy stories.

Consumer skills involve more than the four validities. For instance, students can learn that journalists do not always represent the research they are covering accurately. My students benefit from a group assignment in which they analyze an example of psychological science in the news, comparing the journalist’s coverage to that of the original article.

If you prioritize students’ ability to read journal articles over their ability to read journalistic sources, then similar ideas apply. Students may not understand everything they read in a journal article, but they can get used to coping with a piece of writing they do not fully understand. It takes skill to identify what they know and what they need to understand better. The four validities apply here too. After summarizing an article, students can use the four validities to evaluate four aspects of quality of any journal article.

Finally, good teaching requires authentic assessment. If we want students to be good consumers of information, we should not only require consumer skills in class; we should assess them, too. Educator Dee Fink says “authentic assessments” should present students with the real-world situations in which students will use their skills. If we want psychology students to be able to criticize popular press coverage or read journal articles, our summative assessments should ask them to do this. Put excerpts from such sources on exams. Require students to read and critique journal articles as final projects in research methods instead of requiring students to plan their own studies. Ask students to critically analyze how well a trade book author summarizes a journal article. (Feel free to contact me for sample exam questions or final assignments that focus on consumer skills.)

More and more psychologists are writing successful trade books; journalists and science writers are producing short, engaging pieces on the latest psychological research. Let’s exploit this phenomenon in our classrooms and use it to teach citizens the skills they really need for the future: how to identify and systematically analyze a scientific argument.

Barnett, S. M., & Ceci, S. J. (2002). When and where do we apply what we learn? A taxonomy for far transfer. Psychological Bulletin, 128 , 612–637.

Cook, T. D. & Campbell, D. T. (1979). Quasi-experimentation: Design and analysis for field settings. Chicago, IL: Rand McNally.

Fink, D. (2003). Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to designing college courses. New York, NY: Jossey Bass.

Judd, C. M. and Kenny, D. A. (1981). Estimating the effects of social interventions . Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

Lutsky, N. (2008). Arguing with numbers: A rationale and suggestions for teaching quantitative reasoning through argument and writing. In B. L. Madison and L. A. Steen (Eds.), Calculation vs. context: Quantitative literacy and its implications for teacher education (pp. 59–74),. Washington, DC: Mathematical Association of America. Retrieved from http://www.maa.org/Ql/cvc/cvc-059-074.pdf (accessed August 1, 2013).

Mook, D. (1989). The myth of external invalidity. In L. W. Poon, D. C., Rubin, & B. A. Wilson (Eds.), Everyday cognition in adulthood and late life (pp. 25-43). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.

Excellent article. I also give classes of methodology, and is observed in students many of the misconceptions described. I agree that one of the key tools is to learn about how to find scientific literature, and learn to make a critical reading (for this is essential to work on those misconceptions). In accordance with my colleagues, we believe that stay up to date with respect to the issues of our profession is necessary, beyond the specific activity one perform as a psychologist. Thanks for your contribution.

Another important criterion is whether the article’s author is politically biased. For example, research by John Jost paints Conservatives in a very bad light (i.e., they’re people who “endorse” inequality and are resistant to progressive change). We need to ask ourselves whether results like this are the complete picture. To swing the pendulum, what are the corresponding pitfalls of communists, socialists, and Liberals? What are the merits of right-wing ideologies? With those considerations, Stern Business School Professor Jonathan Haidt does a much better job than John Jost at explaining the psychological underpinnings of Liberals vs. Conservatives precisely because his theories are data-driven and scientifically sound, not ideologically-motivated research that highlights bad qualities of the side you’re not on.

– Simon

Hello! I am attempting to design a course that specifically helps my undergraduate students in nutrition become good consumers of research. I am interested in any of the materials you mentioned that you would be wiling to share as I am trying to get this together for winter quarter. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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About the Author

( [email protected] ) is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Delaware, where she teaches Research Methods, Cultural Psychology, and the Teaching of Psychology. This article was based upon her talk for the APS-STP Teaching Institute, 2013. You can follow her on Twitter at @bmorling and read her blog for examples of teaching psychological science with the news: www.everydayresearchmethods.com .

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Classroom Q&A

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‘We Need to Teach Our Students to Be Smart Consumers of Information’

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(This is the first post in a two-part series)

The new question-of-the-week is:

What are the best ways teachers can help students combat “fake news” and develop information-literacy skills?

Information literacy has always been an important skill, and its importance has skyrocketed in the social-media age.

Today, we’ll hear responses from Carla Truttman, Josh Perlman, Jennifer Casa-Todd, Bryan Goodwin, and Frank W. Baker.

You might also be interested in The Best Tools & Lessons for Teaching Information Literacy.

Though I’m not hosting radio shows this summer to accompany blog posts, you can still listen to past BAM! Radio Shows . You can also find a list of, and links to, previous shows here.

Response From Carla Truttman

Carla Truttman teaches social studies and English/language arts at Yreka High School located in a small, rural town in far Northern California. She is also the inservice co-director for the Northern California Writing Project and a member of the National Writing Project’s C3WP leadership team:

COMBAT “FAKE NEWS” WITH ROUTINE ARGUMENT WRITING

Propaganda or “fake news” is not a new concept; however, it has risen to an entirely new level, and it is essential we teach students the necessary information-literacy skills to critically analyze the overwhelming amounts of information they are bombarded with daily. Our students’ need to navigate the information-age calls for a shift in our expectations of how students engage in our classrooms . We need to teach our students to be smart consumers of information with a healthy dose of skepticism and the essential skills they need to critically analyze and process information. Students should have multiple, recursive, iterative opportunities to practice information-literacy skills until these skills become inherent in their consumption of information.

Routine Argument Writing strategies suggested by the National Writing Project’s College, Career and Community Writers’ Program (C3WP) use engaging, up-to-date materials to teach discrete reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in informal, low-stakes ways which encourage students to voice opinions, listen to others, ask questions, research for new information, and understand how opinions can evolve over time. Routine Argument Writing activities happen daily in my classroom. These activities have replaced traditional journal writing and take between 5 and 15 minutes at the beginning of every class period. I think intentionally and purposefully to design curriculum with these principles in mind:

Create a Secure Learning Environment - Students today hesitate to question information or offer an opinion about information for fear of being wrong. Students need to feel safe enough to ask questions, voice their opinion, argue their point of view, and change their mind. Low-stakes, high-interest, and informal routines help students feel secure enough to engage in materials in a way they never have before—to shift from the teacher-directed learning model to a more collaborative classroom experience. This shift will take time. The suggested structure challenges much of what they have been taught to expect in school. We’re changing the game, so to speak, and we must provide lots of opportunities for students to practice navigating and mastering the new reality.

Design Relevant, Current, and Connected Curriculum - Student engagement largely depends on student interest, and Routine Argument Writing activities provide wonderful opportunities to help students make connections between the world they live in now and the curriculum you are teaching. Draw inspiration from the headlines, social-media posts, music lyrics, movies, etc. The materials used in these activities are likely to be part of the stream of information students might be processing in real time. The use of current, relevant information serves three important purposes: (1) it meets students where they are; (2) it helps students see themselves in the curriculum they are studying; and (3) it creates opportunities to teach students about valid sources of information vs. “fake news.” For example, using articles, videos, headlines, interviews, etc., from the current “Me Too” Movement during Routine Argument Writing activities while teaching Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a great way to help student appreciate the connections between Stamps, Ark., a century ago and living in America today.

“Fake news” is not going away, so we must provide our students with the skills necessary to recognize it and the confidence to call it out when they see it. Daily Routine Argument Writing activities provide the means to achieve both of these essential goals.

Response From Josh Perlman

Josh Perlman teaches U.S. history and AP European history at Flintridge Preparatory School, a 7-12 independent school near Los Angeles, where he is also History Department chair:

The proliferation of false news in recent years has been echoed by a proliferation of recommendations about how to deal with it. Sifting through hyperlinks to determine which newfangled initiative rises to the challenge of our ever-evolving media landscape is hard work. With tension between standardized testing and student-centered pedagogies already increasing teachers’ cognitive load, the mandate to combat “fake news” can seem simply one more passing fad, sapping energy from teachers’ core mandates to shore up students’ knowledge and critical thinking.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, I’ve found that the skills involved in combating misinformation are in fact the very skills that students need to succeed on standardized tests such as the AP, as well as to develop the pluck and curiosity that student-centered pedagogies prize.

One core skill students can transfer to their media consumption is the assessment of primary sources for bias. At first, students routinely struggle with sources that seem objective, asserting, for example, “This source simply reports facts and is therefore reliable.” Our challenge is to get students thinking about how factors external to the source itself, such as the author’s identity, audience, and purpose, may produce subtle distortions in the text itself.

The best writing on critical media engagement encourages the same reflex, prodding students to “read laterally” and open up new tabs on the author and publisher of a given article. Snopes , Politifact , and Factcheck.org often have information on trending articles, while resources such as ICANN WHOIS allow students to determine who holds the registration of a given domain.

Unfortunately, many educator resources consist of checklists that encourage students to focus on the website in question. While these guidelines may be effective in sniffing out obvious “tells,” such as bizarre URLs, research shows that these checklists fail to tip off students to more sophisticated misinformation, such as “astro-turfing” by well-funded special interests. Checklists, therefore, run the risk of creating false confidence while doing little to develop transferable critical thinking.

Our historical moment has produced many tools to help students scrutinize internet news. One of my favorites is Factitious , a video game which tests students’ news saviness and trains them to focus less on the content of the article than on its source.

However, maintaining a long list of web-savvy tools, each of which may become obsolete, is less helpful to our students in the long run than cultivating inquisitive and skeptical habits of mind.

My favorite way to do this is to frame essential questions that call students’ attention to the politics behind the production of knowledge. For example, one of the three essential questions in my 11 th grade U.S. history course this fall was: “What are the myths of American history? When and why were they created, and why do we believe them?” We scrutinized iconic visual sources such as Paul Revere’s engraving of the Boston Massacre and Jean Ferris’s 1912 painting First Thanksgiving—comparing evidence from the most reliable primary sources with these more famous representations, then inquiring about what ideological agendas led to exaggerations and omissions. We homed in on the motives of a key revolutionary propagandist, as well as the patronizing attitudes of an Anglo-Saxon elite toward immigrants during the Progressive era. In this process, we also excavated the emotional appeals that make mythic archetypes such as the bloodthirsty Redcoats and the charitable Pilgrims so appealing and politically useful.

As one student observed, “In 5th grade, we learned a story that made us feel good about our country and ourselves. Maybe that was the point.”

To retain a resilient and flexible framework for media skepticism, students must develop the habit of looking beyond every story to examine the motives of its storyteller.

Response From Jennifer Casa-Todd

Jennifer Casa-Todd is currently a teacher-librarian, a former literacy consultant and English teacher, and the author of Social LEADia: Moving Students from Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadership . She uses technology and social media to learn and share learning, empower and celebrate others, and make a positive impact on others. She is deeply passionate about shining a light on kids and their adult mentors who are making a difference on and offline:

Teacher librarians and English teachers have always been about showing students how to find credible resources. It’s been a decade since I showed kids the fake Tree Octopus website, and so many of them fall for it every time. In an age where “fake news” seems to be rampant, research has shown that middle schoolers in a 2016 Stanford study could not differentiate between a credible news article and an advertisement. In order to combat this, we need to look at where kids (and adults) get their news sources: social media. Using a class account (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), you can have Fake News Fridays where you focus in on an article and what it looks like within that social-media site. Using a “think aloud” to begin, the teacher unpacks the questions that need to be posed in order to determine whether the source is legitimate. You may use, SMELL or SOURCE as a springboard for asking questions about the source of a text. There needs to be a gradual release of responsibility here with kids then working with a small group and then a partner to ask questions and eventually doing it on their own.

For older students, I have them search their own social-media feed and provide the article or post for the class to consider. Kids find this challenging, but they also try to challenge their classmates.

Conversations about “fake news” need to be ongoing, in context, and need to help kids develop strategies to do the critical thinking on their own—this is what lifelong learning is all about. Fake News Fridays cultivates a culture of questioning which students need to take with them as they consume media.

Response From Bryan Goodwin

Bryan Goodwin is the CEO of Denver-based McREL International. He thrives on translating research into practice, scanning the world for new insights and best practices on teaching and leading, and helping educators everywhere adapt them to address their own challenges. A frequent conference presenter, he is the author of Simply Better: Doing What Matters Most to Change the Odds for Student Success , and co-author of The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching and Balanced Leadership for Powerful Learning: Tools for Achieving Success in Your School . Before joining McREL in 1998, Bryan was a college instructor, a high school teacher, and an award-winning business journalist:

I’ve got some bad news and some good news when it comes to fake news. The bad news is we’re often suckers for fake news because we’re all susceptible to what psychologists call “confirmation bias"―a propensity to accept information that supports our view and disregard data that doesn’t. So, when we see a story that confirms our beliefs, our naturally tendency is to believe it.

Combating “fake news” thus requires helping students to exercise their brains in a more effortful way, teaching them to read not just with comprehension, but also discernment―in short, applying critical thinking to what they’re reading. True, many adults, have failed to develop this skill. Nonetheless―and herein lies the good news―we can teach it to students.

So, what exactly is critical thinking? As it turns out, it’s a constellation of skills that apply to corresponding subject matter―for example, we apply scientific thinking to science, textual analysis to literature, and quantitative reasoning in mathematics. Add them up and you get “critical thinking.”

Sometimes educators―at all levels, including prestigious colleges―assume critical thinking develops through osmosis. Let’s expose students to great literature, laboratory science experiments, and debates about history and voila, they’ll turn into critical thinkers.

As it turns out, they don’t.

Instead, as I note in an article I wrote for a regular research column in Educational Leadership magazine, we must show students how to develop critical-thinking skills by doing the following:

Teach it directly . Since critical thinking is all about getting to the heart of the matter, it makes little sense to approach it obliquely. Lessons that have critical thinking “embedded” in them do nothing to teach the critical-thinking skills themselves. These need to be taught explicitly. Examples include showing students how to analyze data for validity, interpret graphs, observe correlations, and identify cause and effect.

Don’t teach it in a vacuum . Critical thinking is a skill we apply to new information―something students ought to encounter in every subject every day. Thus, critical thinking can be taught in the context of actual subject matter. And we can do this in three simply ways: classroom dialogue and discussion, complex problem solving, and mentoring. The studies that gave rise to this observation show that effective critical-thinking instruction can (and likely must) be simultaneously taught directly and entwined with subject-matter content.

Start with “because.” Let’s get even more practical. Here’s a simple classroom technique you can use tomorrow for students at any level: Challenge students to support their assertions by tacking on a clause that begins with “because” (“I know this is the strongest argument because . . .”). You can help students see that often it takes a whole chain of “because” statements to bolster an argument. Then you can help them use this skill to develop a little voice in the back of their heads to question what they’re reading online and sort out the gems from the junk.

Response From Frank W. Baker

Frank W. Baker is a media education consultant who helps educators identify ways to engage students with media literacy and critical thinking. His newest book, Close Reading the Media , is published by Routledge/MiddleWeb. He shares many resources at The Media Literacy Clearinghouse website and tweets @fbaker . He can be reached at [email protected] :

My previous work in broadcast journalism, public education, and public television informs my response here.

I believe teachers could start by first engaging students in better understanding the news-gathering process itself. Most young people consume the news but most don’t have an idea of how it is gathered and reported. One way to begin here would be to invite a print or broadcast journalist into the classroom so that students begin to understand and appreciate exactly what a reporter does and how they go about doing what they do.

When students consume the news—whether that’s from social media, an actual newspaper, or via television—they’re probably doing so passively.

Media-literacy education emphasizes “active viewing” and “critical thinking.”

Media literacy, like information literacy, involves critical inquiry—asking questions. In media literacy, those questions include, but are not limited to:

- who is the author or creator of the message? - who is the audience for the message; how do you know? - what techniques does the author use to make a message credible? - who or what might be omitted and why? - who might benefit from this message?

Recently, I was asked to speak to school librarians and to recommend some ways they might begin to address “fake news”.

The example I used was “President Obama Signs Executive Order Banning The Pledge of Allegiance in Schools.”

I used a handout of that website and asked the educators to tell me what was true and what wasn’t about the content of the page.

Of course, any educator can use the critical-thinking questions from one of the many “fake news” infographics that are out there, including the excellent CRAAP Detection Analysis.

I have recommended that librarians, and other educators, consider posting these “critical-thinking” questions adjacent to every computer so that students get accustomed to seeing it, referring to it, and using it.

Finally, if you read any news story about fake news in the last year-and-a-half, no doubt that story also referenced media literacy and included a series of recommendations. I snagged those recommendations and compiled them into a website I now call FAKE NEWS REMEDY RECOMMENDATIONS. I hope you’ll consider some of the many resources there to use when you engage your students in better understanding “fake news.”

Thanks to Carla, Josh, Jennifer, Bryan, and Frank for their contributions.

Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post.

Consider contributing a question to be answered in a future post. You can send one to me at [email protected] . When you send it in, let me know if I can use your real name if it’s selected or if you’d prefer remaining anonymous and have a pseudonym in mind.

You can also contact me on Twitter at @Larryferlazzo .

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Essay About Consumerism: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Consumerism is the child of capitalism; Here is a list of essay about consumerism examples and prompts you can read to further your understanding.

The word consumerism can seem daunting to some, but it’s pretty simple. It is defined as “a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods.” In the consumerist theory, people’s spending on goods and services drives economic growth- their spending preferences and habits determine the direction a company will go next.

Many businesses practice consumerism. It is a common belief that you must adopt a consumerist approach to succeed in your trade. Consumerism refers to people’s prioritization of spending on goods and services. They have the drive to purchase more items continuously.

If you are writing an essay about consumerism, you can get started by reading these essay examples.

1. What You Need To Know About Consumerism by Mark Scott

2. long essay on consumerism by prasanna, 3. consumerism: want and new pair shoes by tony richardson, 4. my thoughts on being a blogger & consumerism by anna newton, 5. consumerism and its discontents by tori deagelis, 1. does consumerism affect your decisions , 2. opposing consumerism, 3. how does consumerism negatively affect mental health, 4. how does consumerism positively affect mental health, 5. do you agree with consumerism.

“Although consumerism drives economic growth and boosts innovation, it comes with a fair share of problems ranging from environmental and moral degradation to higher debt levels and mental health problems..”

Scott gives readers an overview of consumerism in economic and social terms. He then briefly discusses consumerism’s history, benefits, and disadvantages driving economic growth and innovation. It also raises debt, harms the environment, and shifts society’s values toward worldly possessions rather than other people. Scott believes it is perhaps most healthy to find a balance between love for others and material things. 

“Consumerism helps the consumers to seek redressal for their grievances against the unfair policies of the companies. It teaches the consumers about their rights and duties and helps them get better quality of products and services.”

In this essay, author Prasanna writes about the history of consumerism and its applications in India. First, it helps protect consumers from companies’ “unethical marketing practices.” For example, she cites policies put in place by the government to inspect food items, ensuring they are of good quality and prepared per sanitation standards. When used appropriately, consumerism serves the benefit of all. 

“Anything people see they buy without thinking twice and knowing that they already have brand new pair shoes they have not worn because there to focused on buying and buying till they see they no longer have space in their closet to put new shoes in.”

Richardson takes a personal approach to consumerism, recalling several of his friends’ hobbies of collecting expensive shoes. Advertisements and the pressure to conform play a big role in their consumerism, enticing them to buy more and more items. Richardson believes that consumerism blinds people to the fact that their standards and desires just keep increasing and that they buy shoes for unjustified reasons. Instead, society should be more responsible and remind itself that it needs to take importance above all.

“Take online creators out of the way for a minute, because the pressure to buy is everywhere and has been since the dawn of the dime. The floorplan of stores are set out in a way that makes you stomp around the whole thing and ultimately purchase more, ads on the TV, radio, billboards, in magazines discounts and promotions – it’s endless..”

In her blog The Anna Edit , Newton explains the relationship between blogging and consumerism. Bloggers and influencers may need to purchase more things, not only for self-enjoyment but to produce new content. However, she feels this lifestyle is unsustainable and needs to be moderated. Her attitude is to balance success with her stability and well-being by limiting the number of things she buys and putting less value on material possessions. 

“In a 2002 paper in the Journal of Consumer Research (Vol. 29, No. 3), the team first gauged people’s levels of stress, materialistic values and prosocial values in the domains of family, religion and community–in keeping with the theory of psychologist Shalom Schwartz, PhD, that some values unavoidably conflict with one another. ”

DeAngelis first states that it is widely believed that more desire for material wealth likely leads to more discontent: it prioritizes material things over quality time, self-reflection, and relationships. Increasing one’s wealth can help solve this problem, but it is only a short-term fix. However, a 2002 study revealed that the life satisfaction of more materialistic and less materialistic people is not different. 

Prompts on Essay about Consumerism

This is not something people think about daily, but it impacts many of us. In this essay, write about how you are influenced by the pressure to buy items you don’t need. Discuss advertising and whether you feel influenced to purchase more from a convincing advertisement. Use statistics and interview data to support your opinions for an engaging argumentative essay.

Consumerism has been criticized by economists , academics , and environmental advocates alike. First, research the disadvantages of consumerism and write your essay about why there has been a recent surge of its critics. Then, conduct a critical analysis of the data in your research, and create a compelling analytical essay.

Consumerism is believed to impact mental health negatively. Research these effects and write about how consumerism affects a person’s mental health. Be sure to support your ideas with ample evidence, including interviews, research data such as statistics, and scientific research papers.

Consumerism often gets a bad reputation. For an interesting argumentative essay, take the opposite stance and argue how consumerism can positively impact mental health. Take a look at the arguments from both sides and research the potential positive effects of consumerism. Perhaps you can look into endorphins from purchases, happiness in owning items, or even the rush of owning a unique item. 

In this essay, take your stance. Choose a side of the argument – does consumerism help or hinder human life? Use research to support both sides of the argument and pitch your stance. You can argue your case through key research and create an exciting argumentative essay.

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Smart Consumer

• Word count: 470
• Category: Consumerism

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When deciding to buy a computer it is a very important decision. First decide that range of money you are willing to spend. Then research the many different companies and the product they have to offer. Then after deciding the company to purchase the computer the next step is to price watch. On the contrary there are people to hire to do all that and build the computer and a much less costly price. This paper will discuss both sides of consumer smart shopping. In deciding the range of money to spend consider a number of different things in making you consumer smart decisions. There are many e-businesses that offer a lower price than a walk- in store . For example go to a web page and order the computer or if building the computer order the parts at a very reasonable price. Also if going the route of building a computer, if the consumer is not computer literate, research many different companies on the web that will build the computer. All that is involved is sending the company of your choice the parts of your choice and they will assemble the computer and send the finished product. Deciding which company to intrust in purchasing a computer from is a very hard decision.

First, research the product and check up on the companies that they buy their components from. Many consumers do not know but when buying a computer the consumer has the choice of components that are inside the computer. If you do not like a certain companies product you can always switch to another company or just not have that components put in at all. For a very small price you can buy the components of your choice and have someone put it in the computer for you. Many consumers are computer illiterate and they just choose the computer that is the cheapest. Buy a computer is one of those situations that the old quote “you get what you pay for” is very true. When you buy a cheap computer you are getting generic parts and low quality parts at that.

When hiring a person to build a computer you can tell them the quality of product you want in your computer. So that way, you actually get what you pay for and for a much less amount. So in conclusion there are many different types of ways to shop for a new computer. You get more for your buck if you build a computer. There are many computer companies that offer a very good product, but the down side to that is you pay for a very good product. Finally it is a better buy having a friend build your next computer. A ton of money will be saved in the long run.

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