How to Teach Your Kids About Money

Reader Comments

Back to blog

It is hard, and it is one of those things that there is no easy answer too. I don't think it is a Republican or Democrat issue. I think all politicians are getting further and further out of touch, and they make programs for the now. They don't think ahead about future ramifications of many programs.

For example: Economic Stimulus package or No Child Left Behind.

On a side not: Kimberly I love the Alpha Consumer articles.

Neil

Neil of MD 11:28AM June 12, 2008

Thanks, Neil and Kimberly, for pointing out that a "conservative" government for years has SLAPPED AND BETRAYED the most financially conservative people in the country----the FDIC-insured savers. Fed Funds rates held arbitrarily below inflation by creating funny money (from this air) is very, very, very dishonest. In many ways this created the bubbles in tech stocks, then houses, now oil and other commodities.

Schools, in order to teach proper economics, would have to fly directly into the faces of their Republicans who have been controlling them for several years.

Little wonder they don't. In the first place, most public school teachers are clueless. In the second place, administrators and school boards would oppose any of them violently if they even TRIED to tell kids the truth about economics in 21st-century America. Might fit the "facts, but wouldn't fit the local "politics".

Daniel David of NM 11:16AM June 12, 2008

You make a great point, Neil. It's hard to be motivated to save -- and to encourage kids to do so -- when we don't have great role models and are not rewarded with high interest rates.

Kimberly Palmer of 10:16AM June 12, 2008

Some of it is the governments fault. I hate to say it. They keep lowering the interest rates it becomes less and less fruitful to save(savings accounts and CD's) Plus, how do we get people to save when the government spends money they don't have and continues to bail out companies and people who make bad decisions. Those of us that spend conservatively get screwed for doing the right thing.

It get's frustrating.

Neil of MD 9:25AM June 12, 2008

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about making smarter financial decisions. She’s the author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back.

advertisement

Latest Video

advertisement

rounded corners

Slideshows »
10 ‘Digital Utilities’ You Need Every Day