Product Description:
#14404 Consumer Education - Bride's Perfect Planner (Run time 30 min.) DVD $39.95
The Brides Perfect Planner provides step-by-step instructions and ideas on how to make the perfect wedding day a reality with a complete checklist to ensure that wedding planners enjoy this most important day. Learn about making a wedding budget, setting the date, selecting the wedding party, shopping for dresses, making a guest list, planning the ceremony and reception, choosing a honeymoon location, packing for the ceremony and honeymoon, writing thank-you notes, and much more. This informative program explains when and why each step should be done and shows wedding planners how to put together an organized, exciting, and perfect wedding day.A Cambridge Educational Production. One 35-minute video.
#14678 Independent Living - Make the Right Move! The Apartment Rental Game (Run time 34 min.) DVD $49.95
This video is a complete guide to finding comfortable, affordable apartment housing that meets your students' needs without being taken to the cleaners. Discusses what types of housing are available, how to use the classified ads, how to match needs versus wants, how to determine what you can afford, and how to spot hidden costs. Topics include lease agreements, security deposit, house rules and waivers, renting terminology, and what to ask about an apartment before renting. A Cambridge Educational Production.One 30-minute video with manual.
#24706 Independent Living - Major Appliance Selection and Care (Run time 13 min.) DVD $49.95
(13 min.) A Meridian Production.
#25331 Independent Living - Energy Savings (Run time 10 min.) DVD $49.95
(9 min.) A Meridian Production.
#26378 Independent Living - Storage and Closet Organization (Run time 10 min.) DVD $49.95
(10 min.) A Meridian Production.
#26192 Independent Living - Rent or Buy Decisions (Run time 12 min.) DVD $52.95
Discusses the various options available and helps viewers determine what's best for them by examining cost, location, facilities, proximity to services, and personal preferences. (12 min.) A Meridian Production.
#11514 Money Management - Stashing Your Cash: Financial Services (Run time 12 min.) DVD $52.95
In times of increasing financial uncertainty, the phrase "as safe as money in the bank" has a comforting sound. This program presents the benefits of basic financial services, such as a savings account and a checking account, while explaining the differences between banks, savings and loans, and credit unions. No one is ever too young-or too well-off-to put aside some money for the future. A Meridian Production. (12 minutes)
#11515 Money Management - Budgets Aren't for Pushovers: Budgeting, Goal-Setting, and Record-Keeping (Run time 15 min.) DVD $52.95
Of all the skills needed to succeed in the adult world, one of the most important is being able to track and control personal expenses. This program lays down the ground rules for establishing and working within a budget, setting short- and long-term financial goals, and keeping accurate records of income and expenses. Budgeting is by far the best tool for understanding where all the money really goes. A Meridian Production. (15 minutes)
#11516 Money Management - Don't Shop 'Til You Drop: Credit and Consumerism (Run time 11 min.) DVD $52.95
Too many young adults equate easy credit with free money-a misperception that can quickly saddle them with huge financial burdens and years of payments. This program examines the benefits of credit, as well as the not-so-obvious pitfalls, including variable annual percentage rates and paying only the minimum payment. In a culture where consumerism is king, a knowledge of credit is essential to staying out of debt. A Meridian Production. (11 minutes)
#11517 Money Management - Building Your Money Pyramid: Financial Planning (Run time 14 min.) DVD $52.95
Even just a few dollars a day, properly handled, can help ensure a secure future. This program introduces the subject of financial planning. Topics such as creating an emergency savings fund, buying insurance, purchasing a house, and putting money into investments reinforce the vital importance of responsible money management. A Meridian Production. (13 minutes)
#14627 Money Management - Yes, You Can Afford College: A Complete Guide to Financial Aid (Run time 33 min.) DVD $69.95
Through the hands-on approach of this informative video and the accompanying workbook, viewers find complete step-by-step details to financing a college education. To help students and parents make informed decisions, the program includes a list of financial aid resources and a glossary of terms. An essential program for putting college-bound students at the head of the pack in the search for financial aid dollars! A Cambridge Educational Production. One 33-minute video and workbook.
#26443 Consumer Education - Supermarket Shopping (Run time 16 min.) DVD $74.95
Shopping used to be such a time-consuming process...buying meat at the butcher's, vegetables at the market, flowers at the florist's. But today's supermarket is truly a one-stop-show for many consumer needs. We discover shopping techniques to help shop smarter and faster, like...choosing the best time to shop...and whether to use coupons, buy the store brands, or opt for the generic ones. We look at how stores are organized...research comparison shopping...and find out how product placement influences what we buy and how much we spend. We also explore other shopping choices including warehouse stores, health food stores, specialty stores, and farmer's markets. Shopping may be a whole lot more convenient, but wise consumers know that making good choices means having all the facts. (16 min.) A Meridian Production.
#14497 Consumer Education - The Cambridge Car Buying System (Run time min.) DVD $79.95
Each day, thousands of unnecessary dollars are transferred from the pockets of novice consumers into the pockets of highly trained, professional car salespeople. This informative program portrays car buying as a three-act play and coaches buyers on how to most effectively act out their role in the drama: researching, negotiating, and closing the purchase. The key to saving thousands of dollars on every car purchase lies in learning how to be a smart consumer by entering the process as an investigator armed with relevant information and a total understanding of the roles played by buyers and sellers. Viewers learn what information they should have before walking onto a car lot: where to get this information; how to take and keep control of the sale; tips for driving away with the best car, price, and terms available. A Cambridge Educational Production. (38 minutes)
#14575 Consumer Education - Clothing Dollars and Sense (Run time 41 min.) DVD $79.95
Teenage students spend most of their earned income on their wardrobes, and young adults spend up to ten percent of their full-time income likewise. This live-action video helps develop the skills needed to make smart decisions when purchasing clothing. It covers the importance of planning for purchases and illustrates how to take a clothing inventory. It also explains how personality, climate, and income influence what clothing we buy. A fashion coordinator teaches our young shoppers Jennifer and Greg how to judge quality and workmanship. Is a designer label worth the price? Is fad clothing a wise choice? Follow along as they also learn about fabric identification and reading labels. A terrific video for anyone wanting to be a better clothes shopper. A Cambridge Educational Production. (41 minutes)
#14576 Consumer Education - Surviving the Checkout: Wise Food Buying (Run time 30 min.) DVD $79.95
Today's food buyer must be knowledgeable-not only to save money while shopping, but also to be aware of techniques used by stores and manufacturers to tempt consumers into purchasing their products. This entertaining video shows how to make wise food-buying decisions by pre-planning meals for the week using newspaper food ads and the food groups as guides. In a trip to the supermarket, new roommates Richard and Larry learn firsthand how to select fresh foods as well as how to read and compare labels, brands, and unit prices. They learn about open dating on products, USDA grading of meats, and the use of meat substitutes and extenders to save money. Throughout the store they become aware of the various display techniques used by retailers to encourage impulse buying. A summary of alternatives to supermarket shopping is also presented. This video is packed with useful information for beginners as well as the "seasoned" shopper. A Cambridge Educational Production. (30 minutes)
#30995 Consumer Education - Consumers: Know Your Rights! (Run time 17 min.) DVD $79.95
When are telemarketers legally allowed to call you? Can you return an item if you bought it from a door-to-door salesman? In a retail store, over the phone, at home, or online you have specific rights as a consumer-it's in your best interest to know exactly what they are! Presented in an engaging "news magazine" format, this program will provide students with an understanding of their rights as consumers and what expectations they should have when purchasing goods and services. Many important areas are explored, from how to interpret food labels to disclosure of your medical and financial information. Experts offer advice on how to deal with scams and fraud. A list of consumer advocate agencies and related Web sites is also provided for further reference. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. A Meridian Production. (17 minutes)
#8577 Independent Living - Apartment Renting 101: What Happened to My Security Deposit? (Run time 29 min.) DVD $79.95
This comprehensive video addresses all of the issues that need to be considered to find comfortable housing at a reasonable price. The program begins by examining the reasons to choose an apartment and how to determine what percentage of income should be allocated for housing. Beginning with a list of needs and wants, the video shows where to find available apartment listings (including on the Internet), what is covered in lease agreements, and how to document existing problems to keep from losing your security deposit. The program also covers the different options for finding furnishings and how to decide whether to move yourself or contract with a mover. Ideal for teaching independent living skills to teens or adults. A Cambridge Educational Production. (29 minutes)
#25665 Independent Living - Interior Choices (Run time min.) DVD $79.95
Most young housing consumers are likely to find themselves facing complex decisions about space, needs, energy, and how to complete their household interiors. Students should first consider the space and containers available for organization and storage within the home. When purchasing a major appliance, consumers should examine products comparatively with regard to space needed, warranties and service, energy efficiency, and maintenance. The impact of appliances on utility costs, when teamed with weatherization and conservation, is an additional concern for the interior design of a building or home. This video series explains how we can assess our own interiors to maximize space, make wise investments, and still use energy efficiently. A Meridian Production.
#26234 Independent Living - Roommates: Harmonious Living or Horror Story (Run time 19 min.) DVD $79.95
Financially, sharing a living space and expenses has become a fact of life for many, if not most, young adults. We've all heard horror stories about roommates-financial disasters, messy habits, complete incompatibility. How can you make sure your roommate measures up? This video covers the reasons for wanting a roommate as well as specifying how to choose the right person for you. Viewers also learn about practical matters like how to divide responsibilities fairly; how to handle food and personal purchases; issues of privacy, cooperation, and courtesy; and how to make sure everyone is financially responsible for paying rent and utilities on time. With a little planning and foresight, having a roommate can be a great experience-not a total nightmare! (18 min.) A Meridian Production.
#14619 Money Management - An Introduction to Intelligent Money Management (Run time 31 min.) DVD $79.95
Where did my last paycheck go? How can I save when I barely make it through the month? Why is my paycheck less than I expected? Many people enter the job market expecting their paychecks to bring them freedom and unlimited new possessions. In reality, what they find is an inability to control their finances and shock over the speed at which the paycheck disappears. This informative program shows viewers that the ability to control their finances influences more than just their bank balances. Viewers learn how to make the most of even a part-time or entry-level income as they establish lifelong habits that will lay the foundation for a sound financial future. Whether they dream of a new stereo or a new home, viewers learn how to create a budget, assess their disposable income, set short- and long-term goals, establish a spending and savings plan, differentiate between gross and net take-home pay, choose the right bank account, reconcile their check books, and use credit wisely. Simple organizing techniques save young people from making common and costly mistakes. A Cambridge Educational Production.One 35-minute video.
#14630 Money Management - Using Credit Wisely: Mortgage and Equity Loans (Run time 24 min.) DVD $79.95
Buying a home is probably the largest financial transaction most of us will ever make. Most of us take advantage of mortgage loans, which are loans designed specifically for buying real estate. Using Credit Wisely is a useful program that addresses first-time home buyers' concerns by taking viewers through the 9-step process of buying a home: 1) Research, 2) Determining your wants, 3) Finding a real estate agent, 4) Making an offer, 5) Signing a contract, 6) Applying for financing, 7) Processing the loan, 8) Insurance, and 9) Closing costs. Although buying a home may appear to be a complex transaction, most of the problems and pitfalls can be avoided by doing the proper research and planning. This outstanding program helps viewers take advantage of the many resources available to help them in assessing and financing their real estate deal. A Cambridge Educational Production. One 24-minute video.
#14632 Money Management - Your Credit Record: Keeping It Clean (Run time 22 min.) DVD $79.95
Whenever you establish credit by opening a charge account or borrowing through a bank, each transaction is reported to a credit bureau. This video explains to viewers that as they make payments, pay off debts, and apply for further credit, the bureau will continue to keep a complete record of their financial history. Viewers learn about a document called a credit report. A good credit report means individuals can quickly and easily get credit. This excellent program opens viewers' eyes to the seriousness of establishing credit and keeping their credit record clean. A Cambridge Educational Production. One 22-minute video.
#14634 Money Management - Positive Credit (Run time 23 min.) DVD $79.95
Looking for a car? Want to go to college? Want to start your own business? Are all of these ideas pipe dreams? Only until they come true. To make them come true, you need to know something about handling finances. Positive Credit is an information-packed program that teaches viewers how to make a budget, what savings and assets are, how to use credit, how to become eligible for credit, the ins and outs of credit ratings, and how to accept financial responsibility. Complete with interviews from credit counselors, financial planners, loan officers, and others, this program shows viewers how to acquire assets, establish collateral, and manage finances in a responsible way. A Cambridge Educational Production. One 23-minute video.
#14649 Money Management - Perils of Plastic: Handling Credit (Run time 34 min.) DVD $79.95
For young adults just starting out on their own, couples planning for the future, and anyone who needs help in learning to manage their money, one of the most important financial processes they need to understand is the use of credit. This program begins with a brief look at how credit fuels our economy and how advertisers entice consumers to go into debt to supposedly improve their social status. It also describes what credit is and why it is needed, the advantages and disadvantages of using credit, how credit is obtained, and how credit ratings work. Viewers also learn how to establish credit, how to use it wisely, the importance of good credit, and how it affects their futures. This informative presentation concludes with the danger signs of being over-extended and methods for dealing with the problem if it occurs. Give viewers the opportunity to avoid the dangers of credit downfalls and make informed decisions. A Cambridge Educational Production. One 35-minute video.
#14675 Money Management - The Road to Wise Money Management: Planning, Credit, and Your Paycheck (Run time min.) DVD $79.95
Adult financial life can be overwhelming. Among the most bewildering of adult responsibilities is money management. Balancing checkbooks, understanding bank statements, getting credit-all of these are complex and intimidating, but necessary skills. Join Kate, a recent high school graduate living at home, as she struggles to get her finances in order. Realizing that she knows almost nothing about finance, she asks for help. The first thing she learns is the importance of a sound spending plan that takes into account the different types of expenses-fixed, flexible, and periodic. Learn how to set short-term goals (for a stereo or a prom dress) and how to set long-term goals (for a car or a house). A detailed breakdown of taxes reminds viewers that they will not get all the money they expect from their paychecks and illustrates where the missing money goes. We follow Kate as she balances and reconciles her checkbook, thus demonstrating the basic principles of money management. Finally, students learn about credit: how to get it, the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of credit cards, interest, and finance charges. The program concludes with an explanation of the Truth in Lending Law. A thorough and entertaining introduction to the basics of money management! A Cambridge Educational Production. One 30-minute video.
#36544 Consumer Education - Get Smart: What Consumers Need to Know (Run time 38 min.) DVD $89.95
Get smart or get stung! This ABC News program gives new meaning to "let the buyer beware" as it exposes things that some advertisers, restaurant proprietors, and dentists would rather people didn't know about-like misleading before-and-after photos, questionable charges on the dinner bill, and risks associated with dental veneers. Ways to frustrate credit card/ATM thieves are also examined, as are approaches to dealing with legal but sneaky tactics sometimes used by police officers at traffic stops, sobriety checkpoints, and even a person's home. (38 minutes)
#25136 Money Management - Credit Card Cautions (Run time 30 min.) DVD $89.95
One of today's rites of passage, from teenager to young adult, is the credit card. Armed with a brand-new credit card, many older teens and young adults gain immediate buying power, but not always knowledge of how to use credit responsibly. This program guides viewers through a maze of introductory rates, finance charges, credit reports, credit repair, card safety, and purchase decisions. First-person stories from credit card users and abusers as well as a credit counseling expert help viewers understand how credit cards actually work. (30 min.) A Meridian Production.
#25493 Money Management - Get What You Pay For (Run time 20 min.) DVD $89.95
This entertaining program dramatizes, with comic effects, what happens to those of us who don't practice good consumerism. Many times, people can be taken in by shady service and sales persons, as well as products and services that promise results that are just too good to be true. Featuring professional actors, this program gives viewers some basic information to avoid being taken advantage of. Watch as a married couple make some basic consumer mistakes, and see how they are able to recognize and learn from them, with a little help from a representative of the Better Business Bureau. The comic approach holds the viewer's attention and ensures that the important messages about good consumerism hit home. (20 min.) A Meridian Production.
#30706 Personal Finance - Checks and Balances: The Basics of Banking (Run time 26 min.) DVD $89.95
Because teenagers have sources of income too, it's increasingly important for every young adult to master basic banking skills. That's where Checks and Balances comes in. This informative, practical, and entertaining video covers the fundamentals of checking and bank accounts, such as filling out a check correctly, maintaining a checkbook register, and reconciling a bank statement. In addition, the video presents up-to-the-minute banking techniques, including ATM transactions, debit cards, and online banking. Viewers will learn what factors to consider when choosing a bank, as well as how to identify different types of checking accounts. Correlates to the National Standards of Life Skills for Life Work. A Meridian Production. One 26-minute video, blank checks, workbook, and teacher's manual.
#37428 Personal Finance - Taking Credit: Understanding Loans, Credit Cards, and Other Debts (Run time 26 min.) DVD $89.95
Some people have a hard time qualifying for a loan, while others can walk into a bank empty-handed and leave with thousands of dollars in credit. The same goes for credit cards-although most consumers carry several, for an unfortunate few they are out of reach. But no matter how easy or difficult it is to borrow money, one thing is certain: paying it back is the real challenge. This program helps high school and college-level viewers understand the basics of financial credit systems, the best ways to obtain and manage credit, and how credit decisions can influence one's future. Focusing on credit cards, car loans, student loans, and mortgages, the program offers lighthearted dramatizations that illustrate good and bad borrowing and spending habits and highlight discipline as the key to a great credit rating and sustained financial health. Students will also encounter the four C's of lending-capacity, credit, capital, and collateral. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. Correlates to all applicable National and State Educational Standards including the NCLB Act. A Cambridge Educational Production. (25 minutes)
#25744 Consumer Education - Kick the Tires...Finding and Financing a Used Car (Run time 21 min.) DVD $95.95
"Too many miles...too much money...too many rust spots...and...can I really live with neon orange?" Finding, much less affording a reliable used car can be a giant exercise in frustration. There's so much to think about! Breathe a sigh of relief. This video provides clear-cut, specific information for the experienced as well as inexperienced car shopper. Don't know where to look? This video offers a number of options, some you may not have thought of, giving the pros and cons of each. It covers what to check when you find that special pre-owned vehicle that has potential-should you really kick the tires? And finally, this video discusses the financial part of the deal as well as the "legal stuff" to take care of when buying a car. A must for drivers of all ages to avoid future headaches. (21 min.) A Meridian Production.
#25822 Personal Finance - Managing Your Personal Finances (Run time 28 min.) DVD $97.95
Everyone should learn financial responsibility, and this video provides clear-cut fundamentals on budgeting, checking and savings accounts, loans, and consumer credit. Viewers discover how to develop good credit while avoiding financial disasters as well as how to handle personal income and expenses. A Meridian Production. (27 min.)
#11290 Personal Finance - Researching Change: Looking for Financial Opportunity (Run time 23 min.) DVD $129.95
"The way you make money in the investment business," says Jim Rogers, "is you look for change." In this program, Rogers first defines what it means to "go long" or "sell short" and then explains the importance of scrupulously researching new industries, government financial activity, seemingly invincible growth stocks, and disasters of all types to uncover promising investment opportunities. Case studies include Lockheed and Atari, while the daycare and airport security industries act as bellwethers of lucrative change. (23 minutes)
#11291 Personal Finance - Analyzing Supply and Demand (Run time 23 min.) DVD $129.95
In this program, Jim Rogers hammers home the essentials of financial analysis, focusing on supply and demand as it is reflected by figures found in balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and 10-K and 10-Q reports. Insider activity is also scrutinized as a determinant of a company's suitability as an investment. "In order to identify change, and understand change, and find investments, you have to understand the numbers," says Rogers. Beverly Enterprises, the nation's largest provider of post-acute healthcare services, serves as a case study. (23 minutes)
#11292 Personal Finance - Gauging Corporate Health, Part 1: Operating Margins (Run time 23 min.) DVD $129.95
In this program, Jim Rogers continues his instruction on the basics of company and industry analysis by investigating more of the numbers that determine the health of a business: sales figures, depreciation costs, operating income, and operating margins. Input/Output, a leading provider of seismic survey information to the oil industry, serves as a case study. "If we are looking at a company," says Rogers, "one of the things we want to know is how much money they really have-to play with or invest, to spend, to do with as they please." (23 minutes)
#11293 Personal Finance - Gauging Corporate Health, Part 2: The Price/Earnings Ratio (Run time 23 min.) DVD $129.95
In this program, Jim Rogers digs deeper into the numbers that indicate a company's investment value, focusing on the price/earnings ratio as well as other income, other expenses, pre-tax income, and pre-tax margins. Apart from contacting or even visiting companies under consideration, other sources of crucial primary data are suggested, including EDGAR Online, the SEC library, trade associations and journals, government agencies, and public libraries. Rogers' bottom line? "If you do your homework, you're going to be way ahead of most of the other people that are investing." (23 minutes)
#11294 Personal Finance - Interviewing the CEO, Part 1 (Run time 23 min.) DVD $129.95
When searching for financial insights, one of the best sources of information is the target company's CEO. In this program, Jim Rodgers shrewdly interviews the founder of Servotronics, an award-winning manufacturer of servomechanisms. After inquiring into Servotronics' background and assessing historical factors such as industry changes and economic trends, Rogers reveals his careful preparation by asking a number of very pointed questions-including why, in a robust market, are the company's sales so flat. In addition, a case study of MGM Grand Casinos as a purchase option prompts a discussion of the gaming industry. (23 minutes)
#11295 Personal Finance - Interviewing the CEO, Part 2 (Run time 23 min.) DVD $129.95
In Interviewing the CEO, Part 1, Jim Rogers demonstrated a master's approach to gathering firsthand data to assist in making an investment decision. In this program, Rogers' class puts theory into practice by taking part in an interview with the CEO and CFO of Tambrands, a Procter & Gamble subsidiary. A round of astute questioning exhibits the students' exhaustive market research, in accordance with Rogers' dictum: "Don't make any investment...unless you know so much about it that you know you're right." A case study of Jenny Craig and its marketing of the controversial diet drug Redux concludes the program. (23 minutes)
#11296 Personal Finance - Buy or Sell? Building a Case (Run time 23 min.) DVD $129.95
After a semester of intensive instruction, Jim Rogers' securities analysis class agrees that a deep knowledge of industries and companies can translate into big returns on investment. In this program, two of Rogers' students argue their cases for Ballantyne of Omaha, a leader in the theater equipment market, and Acuson, a worldwide provider of diagnostic medical ultrasound equipment. Is it really a good time to buy Ballantyne and sell short on Acuson? In closing, several students sum up the lessons they have learned over the course of the term. (23 minutes)
#14577 Consumer Education - Wise Buying Habits (Run time min.) DVD $159.9
Learning to spend one's money wisely can be an overwhelming responsibility, especially for young adults learning to live on a budget. This series is designed to assist in developing wise shopping habits in areas of most immediate concern to young people on their own for the first time. A Cambridge Educational Production. 2-part series, 30-41 minutes each.
#37088 Consumer Education - Media Literacy (Run time min.) DVD $179.9
The average person is exposed to more than 3,000 commercial messages each day-and probably will not recognize almost 80 percent of them. Use this timely and informative two-part series to deepen your understanding of media's influence and to train students to critically analyze media messages before accepting them. 2-part series, 31-35 minutes each.
#11513 Money Management - Money Management Series (Run time min.) DVD $211.8
Learning how to manage money is one of the most important-and often one of the most difficult-lessons of life. This timeless four-part series provides a concise introduction to personal finance. A Meridian Production. 4-part series, 11-15 minutes each.
#14629 Money Management - Consumer Credit (Run time min.) DVD $239.85
This informative three-part video series teaches viewers how to use credit, how to make a budget, and how to accept financial responsibility. Plus, it opens viewers' eyes to the seriousness of establishing credit and keeping their credit record clean, and addresses first-time home-buyers' concerns by taking viewers through the 9-step process of buying a home-from research to closing costs. A Cambridge Educational Production.
#11289 Personal Finance - The Art of Investing, with Jim Rogers (Run time min.) DVD $909.65
Whether trading in bull markets or bear markets, Jim Rogers believes that a cool head and a critical eye will always prevail. In this incisive seven-part series, filmed during actual M.B.A. classes at Columbia University, the renowned Wall Street wizard spells out the concepts that every investor needs to know. Over the course of the series, Rogers lectures his securities analysis class, defining key investment terms and grilling students as they defend their stock picks. No business library is complete without this powerful educational resource. 7-part series, 23 minutes each.
