| It is very important to notice that the | | | | overdue rates at the video store. That |
| current generation of young people is getting | | | | planned movie date the succeeding night. Not |
| more and more involved into a lot of things | | | | to mention the real responsibilities. Payment |
| which were either nonexistent or possible in | | | | for rent electricity, heating and water |
| the past. Besides the usual late night | | | | bills... not to mention tuition fees. And |
| drive-in movie or mid-afternoon soccer | | | | nothing but a limp, twisted wad of money |
| practice, today's technologically savvy | | | | intended to last for the rest of the week. It |
| youths can write a letter, talk to a friend, | | | | is but human to succumb to the pressure of |
| listen to a playlist of more than a thousand | | | | spending while there is money to spend it |
| songs, update a social networking personal | | | | with. Even matured, responsible, emotionally |
| page, and send a letter of application to a | | | | stable adults fall for it, so why should |
| favored university, all at the same time, and | | | | young people be blamed for it? The real |
| all this while squeezing a stress ball with | | | | problem is the lack of education, both from |
| one hand. It obviously shows that for today's | | | | adults and friends. The spending habits that |
| youth, a whole world of opportunities lies | | | | start early on in life carry through to |
| within their reach. But with opportunity | | | | adulthood. A teenager who spends sixty |
| comes corresponding responsibility. And, more | | | | dollars on a fad shirt now may spend several |
| often than not, there is money involved. Now, | | | | hundred for another later on in life. These |
| more than ever, today's generation of | | | | so called little things tend to stack up and |
| ecoboomers needs to know how to manage their | | | | become a huge financial crisis. It is better |
| personal finances, wisely and responsibly. | | | | for young people to learn how money does and |
| That responsibility is emphasized even more | | | | does not work as soon as they gain their |
| for those enrolled in a university. Take the | | | | freedom in college, as soon as they get their |
| case of an average college student. The day | | | | student driver's license, before they |
| begins at around midnight with either a late | | | | graduate from high school. The earlier, the |
| night out together with friends with boxes of | | | | better! Because in the real world of credit |
| pizza with a lot of six packs, or a full | | | | cards and mortgage payments, anyone who does |
| blown house party with beer kegs and the | | | | not know how to stretch, squeeze, scrimp and |
| works. Night wears on, and the next morning | | | | save money for all its worth ends up in |
| reality kicks in with a vengeance. All those | | | | financial trouble, to say the least. And it |
| wasted money on beef jerky and nacho chips, | | | | is very disheartening to splurge all day with |
| now nothing but crumbs on the filthy floor. | | | | nothing to answer for it but candy wrappers, |
| There's laundry to do. Papers to finish. Food | | | | pizza boxes, dirty laundry and old magazines. |
| that was stocked up for the week is gone from | | | | Young people should learn more about taking |
| the previous night's party. There's a trip to | | | | care of personal finances, while they are |
| the nearest store to restock. If there is a | | | | still young and ready. |
| car involved, there's gas to think about | | | | |
| (since there are practically no convenience | | | | Thomas Winn is a freelance writer for many |
| store within reasonable distance from a | | | | small financial blogs. With years of |
| university; for stores within campus, | | | | experience as a financial advisor, Thomas |
| customers pay more than usual for this extra | | | | enjoys managing finances. Other than his |
| privilege of 'convenience'). There remains | | | | advice, Thomas recommends a new financial |
| the day ahead. There's lunch and dinner. The | | | | site that provides financial advice. |