Students learn consumer literacy through state-led program

The Delaware Department of Justice is sponsoring the 2018-2019 season of LifeSmarts, a national scholarship competition and educational program for middle school and high school students that tests knowledge of real-life consumer issues and aims to create a future generation of consumer-savvy adults. Coaches can now register and create teams, and students may register and compete online.

LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, and operated at the state level by volunteer coordinators. Deputy Attorney General Gillian Andrews of the DOJ’s Consumer Protection Unit leads the program. This year, the program celebrates its 25th anniversary season.

“We are thrilled that Delaware is part of LifeSmarts’ 25th year of bringing invaluable consumer literacy lessons and scholarship opportunities to teens in our state,” said Andrews. “I am consistently impressed with the level of knowledge and information the competitors gain, as well as the resounding sportsmanship of the students.”

LifeSmarts focuses on five main content areas: consumer rights and responsibilities, personal finance, technology, health and safety, and the environment, with students quizzed on their knowledge of these subject areas during the online competition, which runs through February 16, 2019.

Last year, students answered more than 3.5 million consumer questions about credit reports, recycling, nutrition, social media, state lemon laws, and everything in between, including:

• What is the proper way to dispose of used motor oil?
• Your creditor may say you are in arrears if you fail to do what?
• What holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in January, and honors one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders?

For more information, and to learn how to register, visit LifeSmarts.org.