Image: iStockphoto.com/Patrick Herrera
About This Quiz
During an economic crisis hundreds of thousands of people may be homeless, without jobs and deep in debt. However, there are still many people who earn enough to save and spend within their means. How can those more fortunate contribute to saving their country from economic ruin?
What is the cause of the current worldwide financial crisis?
buying homes above our means
spending money on credit
both of the above
The current financial crisis is the result of overspending by banks, government, corporations and everyday people. As a society, we have bought homes above our means and we have spent money we don't have.
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What percentage of Americans have decreased their spending or changed their investment plans in recent years?
36 percent
56 percent
86 percent
According to a recent survey, 86 percent of Americans have decreased their spending or changed their investment plans as a result of the financial crisis.
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What message is the American government sending to its people?
“Save, save, save!”
“Spend, spend, spend!”
The American government desperately wants its people to spend! In fact, 70 percent of American economic activity is the result of consumer spending.
“Save and spend!”
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What the rule of thumb when grocery shopping on a budget?
Buy unprocessed food.
Buy unprepared food.
both of the above
Processed and prepared food will always cost more than non-processed and unprepared food. For example, consider the price difference between shredded cheddar cheese compared to a block of cheddar cheese.
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What is the economic concern with saving money during an financial crisis?
loss of jobs
Low spending results in low production, and low production results in job loss. Further job loss simply perpetuates the cycle of low spending even more.
poor interest rates
both of the above
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What is the paradox of thrift?
Spending leads to personal debt, but improves the economic situation.
Saving decreases personal debt, but perpetuates an economic crisis.
both of the above
Paradox of thrift, first coined by Keynes during the Great Depression, involves the lose-lose situation between spending and saving in an economic crisis. Spending may increase your debt, but it helps improve the economy. Whereas saving decreases your debt, but further perpetuates an economic crisis.
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Why did both the Bush and Obama administrations provide big tax rebates to its citizens when there was a looming economic crisis?
to avoid public panic
to increase spending
The economy will falter if no one spends. This is why the government urges its citizens to shop and why both the Bush and Obama administrations provided big tax rebates to tits citizens.
both of the above
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How much was the average American saving in 2005?
below 1 percent
Saving was so unpopular in the United States that saving rates actually went below one percent in 2005. Not only were Americans not saving, they were spending their already accumulated savings.
1 to 5 percent
5 to 10 percent
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What was the average savings rate in the United States in 2009?
below 1 percent
1 to 5 percent
5 to 10 percent
Since 2005, the United States savings rate has skyrocketed to a decade high of 5.7 percent. But this was bad timing for the economy, as Americans should be spending in a time of crisis, not saving.
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Who should spend during an economic crisis?
everyone
only those not in debt
Despite the grim economic situation, millions of American have no debt and live within their means. These are the people who should increase their spending.
only those who are employed
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During an economic crisis, those that can spend, should “spend to save.” What does this mean?
Invest in stocks and bonds.
Buy products that help you save money.
“Spend to save” refers to buying items that will eventually help you save money. For example, buying a new home heating system will result in lower energy bills.
both of the above
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How do most millionaires live in the United States?
They have massive earnings and savings, living in luxury.
They have massive earnings and savings, living in modesty.
They have modest earnings but live well below their means.
Most millionaires do not live in the lap of luxury. In fact, most millionaires have modest earnings, but save wisely and live well below their means.
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Why does putting money into the bank help with the economic crisis?
It gives money to the banks .
The current economic crisis is largely the result of banks literally running out of money. It is crucial that those who can afford it, continue to pay their mortgages and deposit money into their savings accounts, providing banks with much needed liquidity.
It takes money away from creditors.
both of the above
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Why should the term “paradox of thrift” be renamed to “paradox of hoarding”?
Being thrifty involves spending wisely and helps, rather than weakens, the economy.
Taking money out of circulation by stashing it in your house is detrimental to the economy.
both of the above
Spending within your means and putting money into the bank through mortgage payments helps the economy. However, hoarding money under your mattress for when the financial world collapses just further perpetuates the current economic crisis.
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What are banks doing with their billions of dollars in government bailouts?
keeping it
Banks are actually “hoarding” their billions in government bailouts. Banks are still very cautious in granting loans and mortgages, which ultimately is not helping the economy.
slowly lending money again
quickly lending money again
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In 2009, what was the unemployment rate in the United States?
3.5 percent
6.5 percent
9.5 percent
The unemployment rate in the United States reached a staggering 9.5 percent in June 2009. Moreover, a growing number of unemployed Americans have simply stopped looking for jobs altogether.
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What should you do with your money if you have debt?
Create an emergency fund.
Pay off debt.
both of the above
Most financial advisers recommend paying off debt and investing in an emergency fund. Basically, you need to save to survive.
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According to a recent survey, what percentage of respondents believed that Americans will eventually return to their old spending habits of living beyond their means?
25 percent
50 percent
75 percent
People don't have much faith in the American population. Respondents in a recent survey predicted that 75 percent of Americans would return to old spending habits.
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Out of 46 financial professionals, how many believe that the American population has reached a new economic era?
23 professionals
33 professionals
43 professionals
Most financial professionals have an optimistic view about American's spending and saving habits. In fact, 43 out of 46 financial professionals surveyed believe Americans have reached a new economic era of saving and spending wisely.
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What money-saving supermarket products should you buy when you're on a tight budget?
Buy in bulk.
Buy smaller potatoes in a bag rather than large individual potatoes.
both of the above
There are hundreds of little supermarket savings tricks. Did you know it's cheaper to buy the smaller potatoes in a bag rather than larger individual potatoes? Also, consider buying in bulk, as long as the item has a long shelf life.
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You Got:
/20
iStockphoto.com/Patrick Herrera
