Consumer Economics Glossary

The unauthorized retrieval or disclosure of sensitive information that may be used for identity theft, to embarrass a company, or other nefarious intent.

A plastic card linked directly to your banking account (normally your checking) that is used to make purchases. It may look like a credit card, but your account must be funded with the amount of the purchase to be approved.

The capital owed to another person or a business.

The consumer who owes capital to a creditor.

A portion of the insured loss paid by the policyholder. The expenses the insured must pay before the insurance kicks in.

A shortage or deficiency.

A simultaneous decrease in the price of goods and services while the value of money increases.

A measure of how popular or necessary a commodity is and how many consumers want to purchase it.

A measure of an item’s use due to wear and tear or its potential of becoming obsolete.

Your earnings are electronically sent to your banking account(s).

The amount of money remaining after paying all of your household expenses.

The share of profits paid by a company to its shareholders.

The most cited stock index measuring price changes on the stock markets. It comprises 30 large publicly traded companies on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.

A good that is expected to last a minimum of three years.