The purpose of the study reported here is to assess the causal relationship among communication, money management practices, satisfaction with financial status, and quality of life. The data used were collected in 1986 through personal interviews. The sample size is 123 interviewees, and the unit of analysis is the household's money manager. Results show that the money managers who are more knowledgeable about financial matters, and those who are highly indebted, communicate more about money matters and report more money management activities. Satisfaction with financial status is caused mainly by economic factors (net worth and savings). The demographic factors that influence satisfaction with quality of life are marital status and household size. Satisfaction with quality of life is also predicted by income and satisfaction with financial status.

The purpose of this study was to test hypotheses derived from the systems theory of family resource management in the area of family financial management. Money managers in 123 households in central Iowa were interviewed during fall 1986. A path analysis model based on multiple regression analyses was tested. The typical household money manager was a married, 49-year-old woman in a two-member household with a median after-tax income of $20,760. Money managers who were more knowledgeable practiced more recommended planning and implementing behaviors than less knowledgeable money managers. Households were more likely to have a higher level of net worth if the money manager used optimum planning practices and were more satisfied if the money manager used recommended implementing practices. Because this study suggests that money managers who use the principles of financial management do achieve greater net worth and satisfaction, educators should target their efforts toward the identified competencies.

The primary objectives of this study were to examine changes in credit card usage and the amount of debt between 1982 and 1986 and to identify factors influencing the amount of and changes in consumer debt held by households. Personal interviews were completed in 1982 and again in 1986 with the money managers of households in a small midwestern town in the U.S.A. The sample consisted of the 123 households that were represented both in the 1982 and 1986 surveys. Paired‐samples t‐tests were used to identify changes over time. Significant differences were found between 1982 and 1986 total household assets and total amount of debt. Regression analysis indicated that significant predictors of the amount of consumer debt burden were age, net income, total assets, and the degree to which managers felt comfortable with debt. Younger money managers were more likely to make larger monthly debt payments and have more consumer debt. Households with larger incomes and higher levels of assets also had higher total debt. Significant predictors of change in debt burden over the 4‐year period were change in net income and total assets, with year‐end savings being negatively correlated with consumer debt.

In Oaxaca, Mexico, some Indian villages have long-established weaving traditions. Originally, craftspersons wove textiles for their own use or for local trade. These textiles were replaced by commercially produced items. To survive in a changing world, some entrepreneurial weavers turned to production for tourist and export markets. Craftspersons, based in home workshops in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, provided examples of entrepreneurs who developed tourist and export markets. These entrepreneurs were studied to understand how production and marketing were adapted to these new clients.