Final answer:
Money serves as a unit of account, helping Hubert compare the prices of a laptop and vacation; as a store of value, allowing him to save for these purchases; and as a medium of exchange when he pays for the laptop with a check.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hubert's decision-making process showcases the different roles money plays:
- Unit of account: Hubert can easily determine that the price of the laptop ($1,299) is more than the price of the vacation ($750) because money provides a common measure of value, which simplifies the comparison of the prices of both items.
- Store of value: Hubert has $1,537 in his checking account, which he has likely accumulated over time. As a store of value, money has allowed Hubert to save and keep value until he decided to use it for purchases such as his laptop.
- Medium of exchange: When Hubert writes a check for $1,299 for the laptop, money acts as a medium of exchange. It is an agreed-upon method for settling transactions, making trade easier compared to barter systems.