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The December 2017 issue of Page One Economics: Focus on Finance addresses the growth of credit bureaus and how the credit reports they maintain affect both creditors and borrowers.

Use this infographic to help reinforce and explain concepts to your students related to considering the advantages and costs associated with credit.

Learn about the history of redlining and its impact on wealth and health inequalities using historical maps and other primary sources. This three-module lesson plan includes handouts, video links, and a podcast to examine the connection between homeownership and disparities in wealth and health.

Although much attention is given to the mounting public debt, private debt (the debt of households and businesses) is actually larger. The March 2020 issue of Page One Economics® evaluates trends in private debt and what they could mean for the overall health of the economy.

Students learn that bankruptcy is a federal court proceeding designed to help individuals address debt problems and to provide fair treatment to creditors. They learn the six different types of bankruptcy; however, the lesson focuses on the two types of bankruptcies used mostly by consumers: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. They analyze bankruptcy terms and learn the similarities and differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 procedures. They also participate in an activity that requires them to work collaboratively to match a bankruptcy step with its correct description. As an assessment, they review scenarios and suggest the best bankruptcy option. This lesson assumes that students are familiar with credit, uses of credit, types of credit, and basic credit terminology.

Payday loans are convenient and provide FAST cash to cover emergency situations or help pay a borrower’s expenses from one paycheck to the next. But the fee-based structure of payday lending is quite different from a traditional loan, and laws vary among the states. The April 2019 edition of Page One Economics®: Focus on Finance takes a look at the structure and fees that make these loans costly.

There are two sides to a budget—income and expenses. When asked how to best balance a budget, people often respond by saying to reduce or eliminate expenses. In this lesson, students choose a car and a housing option and, using these expenses, determine if the income they earn from the occupation they’ve chosen will be sufficient when other expenses are added. If they determine it is insufficient, they seek ways they could increase the income side of the budget by improving their human capital.

What do you need to know before buying a car? Aside from knowing what you want in a vehicle, you’ll need to know about budgeting and credit before you start shopping. Learn some car-buying basics in the February 2019 Page One Economics: Focus on Finance essay.

Using some form of credit is a necessity for most adults. Unfortunately, some misuse credit, and the consequences can be devastating. The earlier young people learn about credit, the more likely they are to use it responsibly as adults. In this short course from our Ella’s Adventures series, your students will learn what credit is, why people use credit, and how interest can affect the final cost of a good or service when bought on credit.

Using some form of credit is a necessity for most adults. Unfortunately, some misuse credit, and the consequences can be devastating. The earlier young people learn about credit, the more likely they are to use it responsibly as adults. Read and listen to this story from our Ella’s Adventures series to learn what credit is, why people use credit, and how interest can affect the final cost of a good or service when bought on credit.