The problem is we all feel invincible and that we have plenty of time when we are young and foolish. I really have come to understand the expression, “f I only knew than what I know now . . . ”

However, we need to accept that we can’t change the past only the here and now . . .

Starting today is better than starting tomorrow.

I find that it’s actually more comforting to face reality and know I’m doing something about it though.

The key is educating people from the time they are kids about financial responsibility and choices.

Even today, when there is SOOOO much valid information available on and offline, it is still hard. Because most people either learn at home, or not at all, since schools rarely teach this, either grade, high or college. We’re talking practical stuff, as you and The Simple Dollar’s Trent explore.

There’s a lot of need to understand the emotional underpinnings of our financial choices. You and Trent and others have done a great job.

But if kids don’t see good modeling from friends, parents, and those they are exposed to on a regular basis (and this applies to all socioeconomic levels) AND get really good classes on this, which most don’t, most will only learn thru painful and costly trial and error.

We need to get this info out to schools, make learning about it fun. Find multiple ways to communicate with all ages.

And not limit the “teachers” to people like Suze Orman who had the audacity to say that teachers didn’t make enough and weren’t empowered so that they couldn’t teach finance.

(I expected somebody like you or Trent to do an article on this. Refuting her comments. Maybe you did and I missed it.)

Sometimes, people don’t even know they are being ostriches because they quite literally don’t know what they don’t know.

I was raised at a time when there was no discussion of money. All you had was what you observed. And even as an adult in my 20s and 30s, there was not the kind of articles and coverage about these issues. Anywhere. (And I certainly learned nothing from my family.)

We can’t assume that even today, with the prevalence of more info, that kids are any more interested or informed.

We have to bring money to their level and find creative ways to expose people to financial issues and concerns.

I remember when I was in my 20s and I told my brother: Do well in school and I’ll pay for college for you (at that point I made enough to do it).

He laughed and said: Hey, a plumber makes X$ an hour. Who needs college?

Well, he’s now in his 30s. Never went to college and is stuck with his work options.

Has learned the hard way and thru his spouse how to manage money but he feels it’s too late for him to ever really do well, given his lack of experience (and opportunities).

He is everyman for many people. It breaks my heart how different it could have been if he had been exposed to counter-influences (our parents were horrible role models about money).

I’m still trying to encourage him to find ways to use his unique knowledge to create his own business opportunities.

FYI: By real financial education, I don’t mean instilling a sense of entitlement in kids or unlimited opportunity “fantasies” when it comes to work/career, etc.

We’ve had enough of that misleading garbage.

Much is possible, but when the average “poor” kid thinks that the only way to make it is to be in TV, sports or Wall Street, that isn’t realistic.

a. don’t worry about things you can’t control – like the past – and do the best you can right now.
b. send this post to your young