Americans have what many describe as an over-abundance of material goods available to them. Indeed, some international students find the amount of choice overwhelming, even in food and drug stores. Billions of dollars are spent on advertising to convince consumers which product is the "best." It is a good idea to "comparison shop," taking time to look at the different components of a product to determine the best value.

Consumers are awarded certain rights under the law to avoid being "scammed" (taken advantage of). Despite the legal recourse to which consumers are entitled, it is important to use "common sense" and to become an educated consumer.

1. "You can't get something for nothing" is an expression that is particularly relevant in New York City. Be very careful about merchandise offered at a greatly reduced price, especially if it is sold on the street. It may be damaged, stolen or misrepresented in any number of ways. As another expression states, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

2. Whether paying for goods or services, obtain a receipt. You only need to keep some receipts for a short time. For example, retain a grocery store receipt until all the food purchased has been used. Other receipts, such as one for a computer purchased, should become part of a permanent record. It is a good idea to create an organized record keeping system.

3. Consider the implications of how you pay for an item. The advantage to paying cash is that there is less paperwork for you and the merchant. On the other hand, personal checks and credit cards create a "paper trail" of merchandise purchased, which is handy in case a receipt is lost. In New York City, many stores will not accept personal checks as a form of payment. And of course, when using a credit card, there is interest accrued if charges are not paid in full each month.

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