Anyone who has ever haggled over the price of a used car, a stereo, or even an old lamp at a garage sale knows about the opposing interests of buyers and sellers. Buyers always want to pay the lowest possible price, while sellers hope to sell at the highest possible price. With buyers and sellers at odds, how can a market system satisfy both groups?
In a free market system, supply and demand work together. The result is a price that both sides can agree on.
Write down how much you feel you should be paid for an hour of doing each of the following tasks: washing dishes, sweeping floors, baby-sitting a neighbor's child, and bagging groceries at the supermarket.