| The reason we spend a fortune educating kids in | | | | other things that ate up her check. She had a painful |
| grades K through 12 is to prepare them to become | | | | but practical lesson on the difference between things |
| independent upon graduation. Some will go on to higher | | | | that you want and things that you need. |
| education others will enter the workforce. Education | | | | The fact that we are in one of the worst debt crisis in |
| through high school is supposed to prepare a person | | | | our history can in part be blamed on not educating a |
| to be able to get employed and earn money. | | | | consumer economy on how to consume. With money |
| Unfortunately, we don't spend any time instructing | | | | for education at all levels declining, it is highly unlikely |
| them in how to handle the money. Currently there are | | | | that this important life skill will see any increase in |
| only 7 states that require completion of a personal | | | | state's curriculums. |
| finance class as a requirement for graduation. | | | | On solution that Oregon has come up with is the use |
| According to the National Council for Economic | | | | of volunteer teachers. Members from the business |
| Education, 43 states have set standards to include | | | | community volunteer to teach during "study hour". The |
| Economics as part of the high school curriculum. | | | | class hold no formal recognition but at least the |
| However, only 23 states have actually implemented | | | | students are exposed to some basics. |
| those standards. Personal finance is typically a | | | | It is going to take creative solutions and the |
| component of and Economics course. | | | | volunteerism like Oregon's to make any impact in |
| It's not surprising then, when a high school junior got a | | | | turning out graduates who do not immediately go into |
| part time job in a Minneapolis mall thinking she could | | | | debt. |
| save up to buy a car, found herself living paycheck to | | | | By the way, Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford" is |
| paycheck instead. Having money she never had | | | | actually a SNL video starring Steve Martin and is a |
| before, she found herself buying clothes, lunches and | | | | good lesson regardless of the "student's" age. |