Title: Evaluate sources of consumer information.
Course: Life Planning (19257-18) > Section: Developing a Plan for Financial Sustainability

Evaluation should include

- reliable sources of consumer information (e.g., friends and family members, Internet reviews, advertising, packaging, consumer magazines, other publications, professionals, government agencies)
- ways to obtain consumer information (e.g., research, comparison shopping, recommendations)
- advantages and disadvantages of using each information source.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What are the benefits and risks of using consumer information? Why should you evaluate sources of consumer information?
- Do you think most people gather information about products and services before purchasing? Why or why not?
- What would happen if all information about products and services was government-controlled?
- What are some reliable sources of consumer information?

Communication

- How can you best use technology to gather consumer information? What criteria should be used to evaluate consumer information on the Internet?
- What communication skills are needed to evaluate sources of consumer information?
- What sources of consumer information do you use the most? Why?

Leadership

- What leadership skills can help you with comparison shopping? What is your opinion of this evaluation technique?
- What are the benefits of using comparison shopping for you personally? What are the benefits for others? What are the benefits for the economy?
- What leadership skills can help you defend your product or service choices based on consumer information?

Management

- What sources of consumer information do you find most helpful? Which sources are you most likely to use? Why?
- How can you organize consumer information to ensure that it is adequate?