The Consumer in Today's Economy
Teaching Students Personal Finance and Economics
A Workshop for Middle School and Secondary Teachers
October 2, 2008
University of New Mexico–Albuquerque

Cosponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

This workshop focused on the concepts and principles involved in managing one's personal finances in today's economy. Attendees learned how to help students become better decisionmakers.

Topics such as budgeting, saving, investment, debt management and the importance of economic and personal finance education were an integral part of the program. The workshop looked at the current state of the U.S. economy. Inflation was examined as to its impact on the economy and the consumer. Suggested classroom activities were provided. 

Keynote Luncheon Speaker

Overview of the U.S. Economy
Thomas M. Hoenig
President and Chief Executive Officer
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Topics:

• Teaching Personal Finance and Economics to the
  Secondary Student
• Economic Thought in Individual Decisionmaking
• Helping Students Understand the Building
  Blocks of Sound Personal Finance Management
  (Budgeting, saving, investing and controlling
  debt)
• Overview of the U.S. Economy: Understanding
  Inflation and Its Impact on the Consumer and the
  Economy
  

Addressing Content in the Classroom

Special Guest Speaker
Anne Macy
Gene Edwards Professor of Finance
West Texas A&M University

Classroom Materials:

• Personal financial curriculum: The Money Circle
• Classroom lessons, workbook and CD-ROM: Building Wealth
• Booklet and DVD: In Plain English:
  Making Sense of the Federal Reserve
• Video: The Fed Today

Date:
October 2, 2008
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Location:
Science & Technology Park at the University of New Mexico—Rotunda Room
801 University Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Please use the FREE parking located at the southwest corner of Basehart and Bradbury.

More Information:
Elizabeth Waddle
Economic Education
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Phone: (800) 333-4460, ext. 5276
E-mail: elizabeth.waddle@dal.frb.org

Presentations

Financially Literate Consumers Make Better Decisionmakers
Lupe M. Edens
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas – El Paso Branch

Inflation: Measurement Techniques and Current Issues
Blair Roberts
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

The Money Circle
Erin O’Donnell
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Denver Branch

Economic Thought in Individual Decision-making
Taking Conference Content Back to the Classroom
Anne Macy
West Texas A&M University