Course Description:

This class is designed to help students learn to make wise decisions and develop skills needed by young adults.  A wide variety of practical units include developing a good self concept, communication skills with others, recognizing employability skills, managing a checkbook, understanding nutrition and meal preparation, being a wise consumer, using credit wisely, and buying and caring for clothes.  It is designed to improve life skills for the use of them today, tomorrow, and in the future. 

Course Outline:

 Needs vs. Wants

Similarities and Differences

How do families make choices?

Decision Making

Use of technology to gather information (reliable sources of information)

Media Influence/Advertising

Influences (social, culture, ethics)

Economy’s impact on consumer decisions/actions

Resources

Organizing Tasks and Responsibilities

Time Management to Achieve Goals

Community Resources for Individuals and Families

Where are they?

How to access them

Impact of future trends on individual decisions

Impact of individual decisions on environment (recycle, reuse, conservation)

Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

Policies and Legislation for Consumer Protection

Bill of Consumer Rights

Role of Taxation

Identify Theft

How to avoid it

How to respond if it happens

Financial Planning

What is it?

Spending vs. Saving

Financial Institutions

Services Provided, Costs to Consumer, Benefits

Nutrition and Meal Preparation

                Dietary guidelines

                Selection, storage, preparation, and serving of nutritious foods

Clothing

                Purchasing

                Care

                Basic construction and repair