Comparison Shopping (Cadette badge)

The Comparison Shopping badge is part of the Financial Literacy badge set introduced in 2011.

For the badges released in 2011, scouts must complete all of the activities listed to earn the badge.

Step 1: Learn to comparison shop
Think about something you want to buy in the future—maybe a TV, clothes or computer. Go online (with permission) and find at least three places that sell it, and write down the website, cost and any discounts or coupons. Share with your troop what your item is and what you found.

Step 2: Find out how to use online reviews
Online reviews are a great way to comparison shop. Discuss online reviews and how to sort through them to get the most helpful information. Do a review debate on a product your troop is interested in buying. Each nd ve reviews on different sites about the product. Read the product reviews aloud, and vote on whether or not you would buy the item based on the reviews. Discuss how the reviews impacted your decisions.

Step 3: Check out the fine print
Learn how to read the ne print and know there are small costs and fees, like taxes or shipping, attached to many purchases. Fill out the online comparison chart on the back of this page and research additional costs different websites charge.

Step 4: Investigate how to avoid online fraud
Learn how to be on the lookout for fraud online by knowing if the sites you visit are secure, what information is safe to give out, the safest way to pay online and if the website is a legitimate business. Do your own research on the links below.

• money.usnews.com/money/personal- nance/slideshows/10-ways-to-avoid- online-scams

• paypal.com

Step 5: Know how to manage our online shopping
Sometimes shopping bills can creep up on us. Only buy items one day a week, or one week a month. Keep a log of items you like and want and write down the details, like store and cost—but don’t buy it! Also note whether the item would have been a planned purchase or spontaneous decision, and whether you’ve seen fancy or enticing advertisements for the item. At the next meeting, add up the costs of everything you logged, and discuss what you learned.

Additional Resources
http://www.girlscoutsem.org/content/dam/girlscouts-girlscoutsem/documents/BB_MM_Cadette_Comparison_Shopping_Badge.pdf