YouGottaKnow

This study group is intended to be a discussion. Each participant is welcome to bring ideas and questions, and is expected to help find answers, examples, and information.

For example, when we talk about headlines and how they are used to direct opinions, participants should bring something that has caught their attention. When we discuss forms, we will need items that can be filled out, such as driver's license applications, 1040EZs, or job applications. If we talk about formal or traditional events (such as weddings), participants can bring in examples in which they are interested, and do the research to find out what appropriate attire and behavior would be.

Participants may use this group as an opportunity to create a personal folder for themselves with items such as their birth certificates, Social Security numbers, and medical histories. (Blank forms can be shared, but private information is not to be turned in!)

Possible topics:
- How to check validity of sources.
- How to read headlines.
- How to identify biases or agendas.
- Getting your message across.
- Following instructions.
- Email literacy.
- Online communication.
- When & how to double-check yourself.
- How to survive lectures.
- How to fill in a survey or application.
- How to take a multiple choice test.
- Paperwork for traveling abroad.
- How to get road service.
- What is required or expected at special events - cultural, religious, traditional...
- Personal paperwork - birth certificates, travel documents, medical histories.
- Dealing with sticky situations (and using poker faces).
- Types of literacy (cultural, critical, functional...).
- How jobs are advertised. Headhunters. Resumes.
- How gambling works, and lotteries.
- How not to be scammed.
- How to differentiate between cause & effect and correlation.

As I created this list, and brainstormed about it with others, I also jotted down many topics that relate to personal finances. We could and may discuss some of these during this group, especially those which are currently important to participants. However, I believe it would be useful to have another study group in the future that would be focused just on these topics.

Personal finance topics - maybe another group:
- Bank fees.
- ATM fees.
- Loans - simple interest vs. amortized. "Zero Down" loans. Fees.
- Mortgages. PMI.
- Credit card interest & fees. Cash out fees & interest.
- Credit card "rewards".
- Credit versus debit cards.
- Store credit cards.
- Building a personal credit rating.
- Memberships & ski passes - yearly fees, extra fees, cost vs usage patterns.