CONSUMER MANAGEMENT
This project area helps 4-H members learn more about how to make smart fiscal decisions and how to improve financial literacy. The different exhibits provide a variety of learning experiences for 4-H members. Participants in this category will emphasize setting smart goals and keeping a spending plan.
All exhibits must be labeled. Label each item with the 4-H member’s name, project division, exhibit class number and years in the project before entering at county fair. All static exhibits must receive a purple ribbon at the county fair in order to be eligible for State Fair selection. State Fair Premier 4-H Science Award is available in this area. See General Rules in State Fair Book for more details. For scoresheets and other resources, visit https://go.unl.edu/ne4hconsumermanagement.
SHOPPING IN STYLE
*Denotes State Fair Entry
If exhibit is a poster, it should be 14 inches x 22 inches. For a three-ring binder, it should be 8.5-inch x 11-inches. Folders with or without fasteners should NOT be used and entries will be lowered a ribbon placing. Video exhibits be less than 5 minutes in length. Multi-media presentations and exhibits are to be uploaded to a video streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard copy QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or link on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing. Do not include the Shopping in Style Fashion Show Written Report in any exhibits.
The 8½-inch by 11-inch by 1-inch three-ring notebook must include the following information.
Notebooks for both classes must include a story to describe:
1. Include a budget. What amount do you have to spend?
2. Include a wardrobe inventory. Tell how the garment/outfit fills a void in the inventory.
3. Why did you need the item or why was the garment selected/purchased? What accessories were selected?
4. Physical characteristics of the individual. Refer to Body Basics discussion in project manual pages 16-18.
5. Compare the construction quality of the garment(s) selected and two other garments that were rejected.
6. What design features (color, pattern, fabric, etc.) affected your decision to select this garment(s)?
7. What is the fiber content, fabric structure and care?
8. Final cost of the outfit and estimate cost per wearing (cost of garment divided by estimated times to be worn for the life of the garment). Take into consideration the care of the garment. Include in your figures the cost of supplies (detergent, softener, etc.) for doing a load of laundry or the dry-cleaning cost for your garment.
Notebooks not meeting class requirements will be dropped one ribbon placing (project manual is not adequate).
Purple, $3; Blue, $2; Red, $1.50; White, $1
*C240001 Best Buy for Your Buck (Ages 8-13) — Provide details of the best buy you made for your buck this year. Build the ultimate wardrobe by adding to this entry each year by dividing it into Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, etc. Put the story in a three-ring binder or video, no posters (see general information). Provide details about: Why you selected the garment you did, Clothing budget, Cost of garment, and Conclusion or summary statement (s) stating your final comments on why you selected you “best buy for your buck.” Provide 3 color photos of you wearing the garment (front, side, back views).
*C240002 Best Buy for Your Buck (Ages 14-18) — Provide details of the best buy you made for your buck this year. Consider building the ultimate wardrobe by adding to this entry each year by dividing it into Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, etc. Put the story in a three-ring binder or video, no posters please (see general information). Provide details listed for those ages 8-13, plus include body shape discussion, construction quality details, design features that affected your selection, cost per wearing, care of garment, and conclusion or summary statement (s) stating your final comments on why you selected your “best buy for your buck.” Provide 3 color photos of you wearing the garment (front, side, back views). Do not include the Shopping in Style Fashion Show written report with narration form in your entry.
*C240003 Revive your Wardrobe – Take at least two items in your wardrobe that still fit but that you don’t wear anymore and pair it with something new to make it wearable once again. Create a photo story which includes before and after photos and a description of what was done. Put in a three-ring binder, poster, or video.
*C240004 Show Me Your Colors – Select six to eight color photos of you wearing different colors. Half should be what you consider to be good personal color choices and half should be poor personal color choices. Write a brief explanation with each photo describing your selections. Refer to the manual page 23 for more information. Entry should be a poster.
*C240005 Clothing 1st Aid Kit – Refer to page 73 of the manual and complete a clothing first aid kit. Include a list of items in the kit and brief discussion of why each was included. Put in appropriately-sized box or tote with a lid. No larger than a shoe box.
*C240006 Mix, Match & Multiply – Using this concept from page 32 of the manual take at least five pieces of clothing and create new outfits. Use your imagination to show various looks (i.e. on a clothesline, in a tree, on a mannequin). Include a brief discussion of each outfit which demonstrates what you have learned by completing this entry. Entry can be a three-ring binder, poster, or video.
ATTENTION, SHOPPERS!
Ages 8 and 9
Purple, $2.50; Blue, $2; Red, $1.50; White, $1
C250001 Clothing Wardrobe Inventory — List five items in your clothing wardrobe. What one garment would you add to your wardrobe that would help you to mix and match what you already have to extend your wardrobe? Explain what you need to think about and consider when you select this item. Consider creativity and style in your story. Your wardrobe inventory entry may be a picture poster, a video style show with explanation, a written story, an audio tape, etc.
C250002 Clothing Interview — Interview an older person and talk about the fads and fashion of the time when they were young or a person from another culture and find out how their dress and fashions may differ at school, special occasions, etc. Find out how fads and fashions have changed. How have they stayed the same? Or interview a person who wears special types of clothing for his/her job. Find out how these clothes differ from the ones they wear away from the job, what makes them different, why they are necessary to wear, etc. Consider creativity and style in your story. Include a picture of the person you interviewed. Your interview entry may be a picture poster, a written story, audio tape, video tape with explanation, etc.
C250003 Buymanship — Experience buying a complete wearable outfit for less than $75. Your entry must include the hang tags (if available), information from fiber content and care labels and a story about what you considered when you purchased the outfit. Consider creativity and style in explaining your story. Do not include the clothing as part of your entry. Your buying experience may be a picture poster, a video tape, a written story or an audio tape, etc.
Purple, $2; Blue, $1.50; Red, $1; White, $0.50
C250004 You Be The Teacher — Suggested ideas include: Sort before you wash, clothing first aid, fad or fashion, etc. Share what you learned in this project. May be poster (14 inches by 22 inches), notebook or small educational display.
Entries should be typed and then attached to a piece of colored card stock or colored poster board (limit the size of the poster board or card stock to 14 inches x 22 inches or smaller). You may use the front and back of the poster board. Page references in classes 01-06 can be found in My Financial Future Youth Notebook – Beginner. Page references in classes 08-11 can be found in My Financial Future Youth Notebook – Advanced. The My Financial Future Youth Notebook can be purchased at shop4-H.org.
Purple, $2.50; Blue, $2; Red, $1.50; White, $1
Beginner/Intermediate
*C247001 Write 3 SMART financial goals for yourself (one should be short term, one intermediate, and one long term.) Explain how you intend to reach each goal you set.
*C247002 Income Inventory — Using page 13 as a guideline, list sources and amounts of income you earn/receive over a six-month period. Answer the following questions: What were your income sources? Were there any steady income sources? What did you do with the income you received? Include your income inventory in the exhibit.
*C247003 Tracking Expenses — Use an app or chart like the one on page 17 to track your spending over two months. Answer the following questions: What did you spend most of your money on? What did you learn about your spending habits? Will you make any changes in your spending based upon what you learned? Why or why not? Include your chart in your exhibit.
*C247004 Money Personality Profile — Complete the money personality profile found on pages 21-22. Answer the following questions: What is your money personality? How does your money personality affect the way you spend/save money? Have a friend or family member complete the money personality profile. Compare and contrast (how are you alike how are you different) your money personality profile with theirs.
*C247005 — Complete Activity 8 “What Does It Really Cost?” on pages 39-40.
*C247006 My Work; My Future – Interview three adults in your life about their careers or jobs using the questions on page 51 and record these answers. In addition, answer the following questions on your display. What did you find most interesting about these jobs? Were there any positions you might want to pursue as your career? Why/Why not? What careers interest you at this point in your life? What are three steps you need to do now to prepare for this career?
Intermediate/Advanced
*C247007 — Interview someone who is paid a salary; someone who is paid a commission; and someone who is paid an hourly wage. Have them answer the following questions plus any additional questions you may have.
*What are some benefits of receiving your pay the way you do (salary, commission, or hourly wage)?
*What are some negative outcomes for getting paid the way you do?
*Does your pay keep pace with inflation? Why do you think this?
Summarize: Based upon your interviews which payment method would suit you the best? Discuss your answer.
*C247008 The Cost of Not Banking — Type your answers to the questions about Elliot on page 50.
*C247009 Evaluating Investment Alternatives — Complete the case study of Jorge on page 64. Answer all three questions found at the bottom of the page.
*C247010 Understanding Credit Scores —Watch the video and read the resource listed on page 71. Answer the following questions.
*Name three prudent actions that can reduce a credit card balance.
*What are the main factors that drive the cost of credit?
*List one personal financial goal that you could use credit or collateral to purchase. Discuss possible consequences that might happen with improper use of credit for your purchase.
*C247011 You Be the Teacher – Create an activity, story board, game or display that would teach another youth about “Key Terms” listed on page 62. Activity/display must include at least five of the terms.