PBN Blog Blast: Love Means Never Having to Pay Full Price

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The Parent Bloggers Network has teamed up with the folks at Capital One to get the word out about how parents (like me) are talking to kids about budgeting and finances.

Or, not.

Capital One and national consumer advocacy group Consumer Action sponsor the Moneywi$e eLearning tool, which includes a section all about talking to kids about money.

[cringe]

Or, not -- because, my parents never "talked" to me about financial responsibility and I turned out okay, sort of.

Then again, all four of my kids are well aware that their grandparents were immigrants and aren't afraid to tell their friends, either.

I, on the other hand, hated my funny-sounding last name (yes, I feel very ashamed whenever I admit it, out loud) not to mention, being teased for wearing "Shoprite specials," instead of more popular brands (like, Adidas or Puma) that all the "cool kids" were wearing back-to-school.

Would I have I felt differently, if my parents sat us down and said:

"We're broke and, if it wasn't for your grandmother, you wouldn't be wearing any sneakers, period."

Thinking back on it now, I feel it safe to say, probably not.

"Kids should never have to worry about money."

Because, even though my parents STILL insist there are certain things that you just don't discuss with your children, kids have this funny way of picking up on this sort of stuff, anyway.

"Didn't you want to go to college, Mommy?"

Of course I did -- although, my guidance counselor thought perhaps I would make a great secretary, or something -- but, my brother was enlisted in the Army and, well, my folks were seriously in debt, up to their eyeballs, already.

Guilt runs deep in Hungarians, too.

"Yeah, but I wanted to start earning some money, right away."

I still remember the excitement of receiving my first paycheck and spending it all on my parents.

"I bought Mama a name necklace and Papa a clock radio."

Today, I believe the best way my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I can "talk" to our children about money is by "doing" exactly what both our parents did, or didn't do.

So, we head straight for the clearance racks, first...make our kids put half of whatever money they receive (i.e. birthday, holidays, etc...) in the bank...and not feel ashamed to admit that they may just have to "work" their way through college.

"Just take the check and shut up about it, already."

Because, they know, that if it weren't for their grandparents, they wouldn't be wearing sneakers, anyway and that my parents seemed to have done just fine, with me, speaking a little funny, like they do and all.

"It's for the kids back-to-school shopping, not you!"

Or, maybe not.

Comments

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In June, I start begging my mom to get my daughter school clothes!

Posted by: Keyona | August 21, 2009 at 01:43 PM

You are so right.

I live in a town where name brands RULE and I hate it. My kids are going to know I got through college with grants, I wore Shoprite clothes and life can throw you a wicked curve ball so don't squander money. Yep, I'm going to be one of those parents, which is hard. I want to give them everything, but with finances what they are, not gonna happen.

Posted by: Mold on the Wonder Bread | August 21, 2009 at 05:40 PM