Thursday, February 19, 2009

**Opportunity Cost & Production Possibilities Curve**

How does opportunity cost relate to production possibilities?

Draw a production possibilities curve:

What does a pp curve show?

Indicate a point on the pp curve where resources are underutilized:

Indicate a point on the pp curve for future growth:

Describe how education or lack of education might impact a pp curve:

**Use chapters 1 & 2 in the text for this.

**Factors of Production**

Identify & describe the Four (&sometimes fifth) Factors of Production:

How do these resources relate to maximum production of goods & services?

Use chapters 1 & 2 in the text.

Expanding the Money Supply

Through the use of a chart or table, explain how banks excess reserves are used to expand the money supply. You will use the terms 'excess reserves', as well as 'required reserves', 'deposits'.

(your text on p.409 may be of some help)

Internet Fraud

What is internet fraud?
Describe each of these in terms of the internet:
• phishing
• identity theft
• spyware
• worm/virus
• phoney auction
• fake solicitation
• free gift
• pyramid scheme
Briefly describe for each, how these should be combated.

Insurance Needs

• What are some typical types of insurance that young adults need?
• Any other insurance that you might need in 10yrs NOT listed above?
• What might be two types of risks that teens face:
o How could you reduce/avoid those risks?
• What is the average cost of an emergency room visit:
ß A renter’s property
ß A disabling auto injury
ß Childbirth including associated costs
o How can you hold down insurance costs?
o What’s the “small print”?
ß What is sometimes NOT included in an insurance policy?
o List what average insurance costs @month might be?
o Identify at least two strategies that you can implement to maintain a good credit history:
o Final thoughts that this information leaves you with?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Vacation Project

You just received a $3000 tax refund. You & a friend are going to take a vacation. Where will you choose to go? You may choose to go anywhere in the USA. You do need to pick a large city or other well-known vacation spot. It could be one of the large US cities, a beach area, a mountain resort, a location of historical interest.

Identify where your destination is on a map of the United States. You may fly from the Quad-Cities (Moline, Illinois), Cedar Rapids, or Chicago (O’Hare or Midway Airports). Use www.travelocity.com to find the best airfare.

What is the airfare for two? You now have _____ remaining.

You will be staying for 5 nights. Look for lodging at www.expedia.com, www.frommers.com, www.hotels.com www.fodors.com, www.ayh.com, www.freetrip.com

How much will it cost for 5 nights?
Are there any special deals available?

Check at a travel website for the location. Is there cheap public transportation at the location?
If not, you will need to check into a rental car at www.alamo.com, www.hertz.com, www.thrifty.com, or other car rental website.

What are the special attractions at the location you’ve chosen?
What are your other expenses?
For example, are you at Disneyland, Williamsburg, or a place with admission charges?
Itemize your expenses:
What would you anticipate being your highlights?
List expenses in chart or table form.
• Include a USA map with your location & a state or area map indicating the location
• Tell why you selected the location you chose.
• Show pictures or photos of your vacation
• Write a description of your potential vacation in a 1-2 page paper. (optional)
• **Create a “foldable” or a powerpoint.
• You MUST show evidence of planning, predicting, analyzing, etc
• This should demonstrate your best effort & thinking.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Check Out This Awesome Photo of Obama's Inauguration & the Crowd!

2009 Inauguration Photo - SUPER HI-DEF

This is absolutely the BEST in 'high definition'.....

Zoom in ('double-click' an area) ....and watch it focus. Then zoom some more... and wait for focus.

What a surveillance tool this is. !

This picture was taken with a robotic camera and weighs in at 1,474 megapixel. (295 times the standard 5 megapixel camera). It was a Canon that pulled together over 200 individual shots. Each zoom in takes a second to focus ...and then you can see some amazing reactions.

Bonus points if you find Yo-Yo Ma .... taking a picture with his iPhone. Cllick below:
http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c