private int checkPrice(){
		System.out.println("Checking price...");
		//get current price
		String ask = "";
		String bid = "";
		try {
			json = readJsonFromUrl("https://www.bitstamp.net/api/ticker/");
		} catch (Exception e) {
			// TODO Auto-generated catch block
			e.printStackTrace();
		}
		try {
			ask = json.get("ask").toString();
			bid = json.get("bid").toString();
		} catch (Exception e) {
			// TODO Auto-generated catch block
			e.printStackTrace();
		}
		
		//parse JSON data into float format
		this.tmpAsk = Float.parseFloat(ask);
		this.tmpBid = Float.parseFloat(bid);
		
		//check prices currently in Model by getting the collection of values
		Map <String, Float> curvalues;
		curvalues = m.getPrices();
		
		float curAsk = curvalues.get("curAsk");
		float curBid = curvalues.get("curBid");
	
		if ( this.tmpAsk != curAsk || this.tmpBid != curBid){
			
			//if price has changed and temporary price values don't match, change price in Model
			
			//initialize a new values map, pass to Model
			Map<String, Float> values = new HashMap<String, Float>();
			values.put("curAsk", tmpAsk);
			values.put("curBid", tmpBid);
			
			System.out.println("Price changed, updating Model..");
			m.setPrices(values);
		}
		return 1;
	}