ASSIGNMENT+7,+11.03.10

READ "WHO NEEDS TO EAT?" (HARD COPY OR ON WWW.DELICIOUS.COM/KATHY39420 UNDER THE TAG "HWREADINGS").

AMERICAN CONSUMERS ARE NOW REDIRECTING MORE OF THEIR DURABLE-GOODS SPENDING TO EYE-GRABBING TECHNOLOGY. THE ELECTRONICS BOOM ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN A RECOVERY, BUT THE TREND TOWARD BUYING ELECTRONICS, RATHER THAN OTHER GOODS, IS LEAVING ITS MARK ON THE .APPAREL COMPANIES ARE SEEING REDUCED SALES, AND TRAVEL SPENDING IS DOWN AS AMERICANS SEEK MORE OF THEIR ENTERTAINMENT AT HOME.

1. WHAT IS INFLUENCING THE INCREASE IN TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES?

2. HOW HAVE COMPANIES PARTNERED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TECHNOLOGY BOOM?

3. EACH FAMILY ONLY HAS SO MUCH MONEY TO SPEND, SO MONEY SPENT ON TECHNOLOGY MEANS LESS SPENDING ON SOMETHING ELSE. HOW DOES YOUR FAMILY ALLOCATE ITS RESOURCES? HOW MUCH IS SPENT ON TECHNOLOGY? HOME GOODS? CLOTHING? WHAT ABOUT VACATIONS? HAS YOUR FAMILY HAD TO MAKE ANY MAJOR SPENDING DECISIONS LATELYCHOOSING BETWEEN TWO WANTS OR NEEDS?