Wise Consumer
Before buying something, a wise consumer asks themselves if they really need it or if it’s this.
What is a want?
This number shows how much an item costs per ounce, pound, or unit.
What is the unit price?
This is the total amount of money you earned before taxes or deductions.
What is gross pay?
This number on your paystub shows how many hours you worked during that pay period.
What are hours worked?
Getting 7–9 hours of this each night helps regulate mood and energy.
What is sleep?
A wise consumer keeps this in mind to avoid spending more money than they have.
What is a budget?
Comparing two similar items helps you decide if the quality matches this.
What is the price?
This term refers to the amount you take home after all deductions.
What is net pay?
This rate applies when you work more than 40 hours in a week and is usually 1.5 times your regular wage.
What is overtime pay?
Doing this type of regular physical activity can improve your mood, reduce stress, and boost energy.
What is exercise?
Before buying a big-ticket item, smart consumers do this to compare brands, prices, and reviews.
What is research?
These online comments from previous buyers can help you decide whether a product is worth the cost.
What are reviews?
This deduction is taken out to pay for retirement benefits for older Americans.
What is Social Security?
These deductions pay for healthcare benefits like doctor visits and prescriptions.
What are insurance premiums?
This means noticing your own feelings, thoughts, and reactions in the moment.
What is self-awareness?
When you buy something because you see it at checkout and didn’t plan for it, it’s called this.
What is an impulse purchase?
Choosing between store-brand and name-brand products is an example of this type of decision.
What is comparison shopping?
These letters (YTD) on a paystub show how much you’ve earned and paid in deductions for the entire year.
What is Year-To-Date?
This deduction is used to fund medical care for people 65 and older.
What is Medicare?
Writing down three things that went well each day is a habit known to build this positive mindset.
What is gratitude?
This term means the most affordable option that still meets your needs without paying for unnecessary features.
What is the best value?
When comparing two products, checking what’s actually inside them means reading this. What the product is made of/from
What are the ingredients (or product details)?
This type of tax listed on your paystub is determined by the state where you work.
What is state income tax?
This section on your paystub shows the total amount you’ve contributed to retirement accounts, like a 401(k), and may also include employer matches.
What are retirement or pension contributions?
Thinking about what went well and what could improve after a situation is practicing this skill.
Q: What is self-reflection?