A major challenge in economics and financial education is frequently the attempt to explain the disparities in household consumption spending. Household income determines the quality and quantity of goods and services that a household could consume. The amount of income available to a household is a major determinant of the disparities in…

This paper reports the findings of research into an educational intervention featuring open-ended mathematical problems situated in "real life" contexts and associated pedagogies. "Money and financial mathematics" is the topic in focus, with tasks termed "financial dilemmas" being trialled by 35 teachers in 16…

During the past 10 years, consumers have experienced a substantial growth in credit and an unprecedented increase in the rate of inflation. As increases in credit usage continue to outpace increases in real income and as savings rates decline, consumers are increasingly likely to suffer financial problems and are increasingly in need of money…

Public education in Virginia during fiscal year 2002 is characterized by fiscal crisis, reductions in funds, and no new salary increases for state employees including teachers and university faculty. The current context of recession and budget deficits, together with tax reductions imposed by the previous gubernatorial administration and current…

This study describes the managing of discretionary, school-generated monies by high school principals.. Principals (N=1303) in large, public high schools were asked about the policies and practices pertaining to the fiscal management of discretionary funds, like business partnerships, student activities, athletics, concessions, fundraising, and…

There is substantial evidence that problems with family and other interpersonal relationships are often associated with financial stress. A counselor is likely to see clients whose financial difficulties are caused by, or associated with, one or more of four major types of problems: (1) lack of skills; (2) circumstances in the client's macro- or…

The five most common pitfalls of money management in child care programs are described along with proposed remedies. These pitfalls involve: (1) failure to account for shortfalls in income due to declining enrollments; (2) failure to put cost-cutting efforts into perspective and to choose the most feasible areas for cost savings; (3) failure to…

Although cash purchases seem to be waning in popularity, few researchers have investigated credit card literacy. This study examines college students' use and knowledge of credit cards. Researchers designed a questionnaire with 24 items and asked business professors in the southern region of the United States to administer the instrument to…

This paper reconceptualizes the purposes of education's budget envelope. Citing numerous examples of how policymakers consider resource allocations apart from the main concerns of individual programs, the people reallocations affect, and education's most important programs, it suggests that policymakers and finance officers reemphasize program and…

The conscientious family counselor may find it an overwhelming task to properly assist families or individuals who are experiencing financial difficulties. Although the counselor must be aware of personal limitations and make appropriate referrals, the processes required for financial counseling are the same as those needed for the understanding…

To stay healthy, legal education must enhance greatly its information, planning capacities, resources for management of financial risk, and development of investment capital. Planned diversification of risk could make survival of broad-based quality legal education possible; otherwise schools will be forced to accept any cash-bearing applicant.…

Although the older person's economic stiuation has improved, older women, minorities, and rural residents have incomes significantly lower than those for the older population in general. Older married women may appear to be financially secure, but many of their resources often disappear when their husbands die. Widowhood or divorce endangers the…

Arguing that the benefits from borrowing abroad exceed the costs recently imposed on countries through debt-servicing difficulties, this paper defines debt as an engine of growth, forcing the borrower to produce goods efficiently, export them, and function competitively in the international market. Debt-servicing difficulties of developing nations…

As a consequence of declining enrollment and decreasing public school revenues, coupled with cost increases linked to state and federal mandated programs, collective bargaining obligations, rising energy costs, and a larger proportion of high cost (disadvantaged) students, administrators are faced with a compelling need for cutbacks in…

This paper describes a state-sponsored management assistance project for improving the cost-effectiveness of school food services. First, the history, rationale, and present function of the Division of Management Assistance in the Pennsylvania Department of Education is described. Its primary purpose is to assist schools with fiscal problems in…