Yes! Some people were never taught at home about basic personal finances and so they cannot pass on any knowledge to their children. I think learning how to reconcile a checking account, why debt can cost so much more in the long run, how to set up a very simple budget, and how to save are important things for kids to know before they head out into the real world.
After reading all the varied experiences and comparing them to my own experience with TJ's, my conclusion is that the different markets vary significantly from each other. I find the NYC, West Side market has mostly packages of pre-wrapped in plastic vegetables (i prefer to pick my own amounts and sizes from stores that offer open bins or stacks). Yet some of the photos of other locations appear to have more of the open type displays of produce than at the store near me. The prices were also no big bargain and higher than a the Fairway store about 2 blocks away, though many comments suggest TJ's is a less expensive alternative. Maybe it is true for comparisons to the average chain super markets but compared to Fairway... well there is no comparison. The quality of Fairway produce, the selection and the price of both produce and other groceries is far superior.
Yes, the terms and concepts should be taught. However, teachers should stay away from teaching that there is a "right" and "wrong" way to manage personal finance. Hopefully, by learning the facts, students will be guided into making choices that fit their personal circumstances and needs.
On the surface it looks like a good idea to teach personal finance in schools. However, I observed a 6th grade class in which personal finance was taught for several weeks. I disagreed with many of the teacher's preferences about proper handling of finances. There is rarely consensus on the *best* financial approach to someone's life. Do you want your children learning from a school teacher how to spend and save money? Keep in mind that not all teachers are wise and in their 50's. Many are young (20's/30's) and have never purchased a home or even have children. This approach assumes that there is a best/correct way to handle finance and that a teacher has that knowledge.
Also, finance is a very complicated subject that was simplified to a ridiculous level for the 6th grade. The generalizations worked for the projects that the students had to complete, but wouldn't work for the real world.
Wouldn't you rather point out the wisdom you've learned from life to your children yourself?
For southern hemisphere people (Aussie, NZ etc) http://www.campionandcurtis.com/seasonal.html
This has a simplified list and downloadable list of seasonal vegies and fruit by seasons
Yeah....all I can say is that the article is 'spot on'. I love TJ, unfortunately, I
live in a town (El Paso, TX) with no TJ....and terrible grocery stores in
general. Are you listening, Trader Joe? El Paso is ripe for the taking.....
(a Whole Foods would be great here, too)
I like these ideas, but from a pedagogical point of view, mandatory pulled out workshops and classes are unlikely to stick. I would rather see more regular treatment of these things built into math and government coursework, and maybe even discussion of certain things in reading or social studies classes (e.g. why are the pioneers making their own clothes). A few worksheets and discussions a year for 12 years is going to have more chances to stick than a required one-day workshop (read: you're going to make me spend my Saturday doing something and I'm going to pay as little attention as possible). Then at such point when you might have counselors coming around talking about jobs and scholarships and so forth in high school (we had assemblies and homeroom visits and career days for this), there will be a connection there to hang onto.
I think they should be able to incorporate elements of personal finance concepts into math classes. I would be totally in favor of having the schools teach kids that $$$ does not grow on trees or spit out from an ATM at will.
I've actually found there to be just as many organic items as non-organic. They usually have one of each type of item. I mostly eat organic. If you haven't been there in a while, you may want to revisit.
ABSOLUTELY!!!! Especially, about how a budget works, how not to live paycheck to paycheck, how to balance a checkbook, how to pay yourself first, how a credit card really works and how long it takes to pay it off, if paying only the minimum amount, what a credit score is and how it can mess with your life....I didn't have any of this, when I was growing up and my parents were far from being personal finance role models. Here, I'm in my late 30s and through reading many, many personal finance books and blogs have I figured these things out.
Absolutely, but it should be integrated with course material from kindergarten to grade 12, always building on what was learned previously. The important thing about financial education is to teach it in an applied manner. Make it fun, make it interactive and make it memorable and kids will remember it. The biggest hurdle in teaching kids is giving teachers enough confidence to teach the material. If teachers don't know it, they won't teach it and it won't have an impact. A sinlge course in high schools isn't a bad thing, but at that point, it's too little, too late. And again, the quality of the instruction is only as good as the effort the teacher puts into it.
Of course it should be taught in school. It was taught to me when I was in the 4th grade back in 1974. Mrs. Truesdell taught all of her classes but was the only teacher of mine to do it. She didn't teach us anything fancy but the basics of how to manage our household money, write checks, save for emergencies, look for the best deals and saving for a down payment for a house. I think that we were very, very fortunate.
I was also fortunate that Economics was offered in high school.
This was long before credit and debit cards were prevelent. The fast and easy refinancing of houses, the 0% down loans and only interest loans.
We do our children a diservice if they are not taught at home. I believe that because money is still a taboo subject in many homes; it should be taught in schools to help ensure that high school graduates are prepared to go out into the world.
I live within my means but not keeping these promises is fine. why keep your hair grey and feel like crap about yourself? I think you should be gentler with yourself especially if you can afford it.
YES! They don't have to be financial planners or have a degree in finance, but teach the basics. Some parents don't even know how to budget their own ledger. We have economics classes which are way over the kids' heads. Why not teach practical real life subjects that every child will eventually encounter?
How many kids do you know use physics and calculus? Not as many as the kids that take those classes, but they are taught in our schools. Our financial literacy in this country is oh so sad. My neighbor works for customer service for those pre-paid cards. Many of the customers don't even realize that they have to fund the card in order to use it. And those are adults! So many adults have no idea that you're supposed to live within your means.
If we want things to change, then let's start with the kids. Let's teach them that if they do make $10/hr and work 20hrs/wk, then that $600/month car payment doesn't make sense when there are taxes, insurance, maintenance and gas to pay for. Get them while they're young in hopes that we change this country's financial future.
With everything I just read about TJ's, I can say the same about Aldi stores as well. Everything.
Absolutely! It's so important. I have a whole list of things that "I wish I had known" that I will be sure to teach my two girls.
Yes! Some people were never taught at home about basic personal finances and so they cannot pass on any knowledge to their children. I think learning how to reconcile a checking account, why debt can cost so much more in the long run, how to set up a very simple budget, and how to save are important things for kids to know before they head out into the real world.
After reading all the varied experiences and comparing them to my own experience with TJ's, my conclusion is that the different markets vary significantly from each other. I find the NYC, West Side market has mostly packages of pre-wrapped in plastic vegetables (i prefer to pick my own amounts and sizes from stores that offer open bins or stacks). Yet some of the photos of other locations appear to have more of the open type displays of produce than at the store near me. The prices were also no big bargain and higher than a the Fairway store about 2 blocks away, though many comments suggest TJ's is a less expensive alternative. Maybe it is true for comparisons to the average chain super markets but compared to Fairway... well there is no comparison. The quality of Fairway produce, the selection and the price of both produce and other groceries is far superior.
Definitely. Avoiding a financial meltdown through proper education would've saved me a whole lot of heartache.
Yes, the terms and concepts should be taught. However, teachers should stay away from teaching that there is a "right" and "wrong" way to manage personal finance. Hopefully, by learning the facts, students will be guided into making choices that fit their personal circumstances and needs.
On the surface it looks like a good idea to teach personal finance in schools. However, I observed a 6th grade class in which personal finance was taught for several weeks. I disagreed with many of the teacher's preferences about proper handling of finances. There is rarely consensus on the *best* financial approach to someone's life. Do you want your children learning from a school teacher how to spend and save money? Keep in mind that not all teachers are wise and in their 50's. Many are young (20's/30's) and have never purchased a home or even have children. This approach assumes that there is a best/correct way to handle finance and that a teacher has that knowledge.
Also, finance is a very complicated subject that was simplified to a ridiculous level for the 6th grade. The generalizations worked for the projects that the students had to complete, but wouldn't work for the real world.
Wouldn't you rather point out the wisdom you've learned from life to your children yourself?
yes because it is as equally important as geometry, trigonometry, and english.
I can't imagine what a good argument against teaching kids about the ideas of want vs. need, saving, how to write check, etc. would look like.
So, in a word...YES! Teach it!
For southern hemisphere people (Aussie, NZ etc)
http://www.campionandcurtis.com/seasonal.html
This has a simplified list and downloadable list of seasonal vegies and fruit by seasons
Yeah....all I can say is that the article is 'spot on'. I love TJ, unfortunately, I
live in a town (El Paso, TX) with no TJ....and terrible grocery stores in
general. Are you listening, Trader Joe? El Paso is ripe for the taking.....
(a Whole Foods would be great here, too)
yes yes and triple compounded interest yes! Why I would sign away my next paycheck just to have had a personal finaince class back in the day!
Yes, because no matter what job they prepare for in the future, they need to learn to handle their own money.
I like these ideas, but from a pedagogical point of view, mandatory pulled out workshops and classes are unlikely to stick. I would rather see more regular treatment of these things built into math and government coursework, and maybe even discussion of certain things in reading or social studies classes (e.g. why are the pioneers making their own clothes). A few worksheets and discussions a year for 12 years is going to have more chances to stick than a required one-day workshop (read: you're going to make me spend my Saturday doing something and I'm going to pay as little attention as possible). Then at such point when you might have counselors coming around talking about jobs and scholarships and so forth in high school (we had assemblies and homeroom visits and career days for this), there will be a connection there to hang onto.
I think they should be able to incorporate elements of personal finance concepts into math classes. I would be totally in favor of having the schools teach kids that $$$ does not grow on trees or spit out from an ATM at will.
I usually try to get there right when they open at around 8:30 AM. The shelves are usually stocked, and not many people are there.
Yes. There sushi is pretty bad. And their greens just aren't fresh (but I live in Michigan, so maybe it's just the distance).
I've actually found there to be just as many organic items as non-organic. They usually have one of each type of item. I mostly eat organic. If you haven't been there in a while, you may want to revisit.
ABSOLUTELY!!!! Especially, about how a budget works, how not to live paycheck to paycheck, how to balance a checkbook, how to pay yourself first, how a credit card really works and how long it takes to pay it off, if paying only the minimum amount, what a credit score is and how it can mess with your life....I didn't have any of this, when I was growing up and my parents were far from being personal finance role models. Here, I'm in my late 30s and through reading many, many personal finance books and blogs have I figured these things out.
Yes, yes, yes. My daughter is completely clueless when it comes to managing money. I wish I had a finance class at an earlier age.
Most definitely it should be taught but it would be best if it is integrated with current subjects like reading, math and social studies.
Absolutely, but it should be integrated with course material from kindergarten to grade 12, always building on what was learned previously. The important thing about financial education is to teach it in an applied manner. Make it fun, make it interactive and make it memorable and kids will remember it. The biggest hurdle in teaching kids is giving teachers enough confidence to teach the material. If teachers don't know it, they won't teach it and it won't have an impact. A sinlge course in high schools isn't a bad thing, but at that point, it's too little, too late. And again, the quality of the instruction is only as good as the effort the teacher puts into it.
Of course it should be taught in school. It was taught to me when I was in the 4th grade back in 1974. Mrs. Truesdell taught all of her classes but was the only teacher of mine to do it. She didn't teach us anything fancy but the basics of how to manage our household money, write checks, save for emergencies, look for the best deals and saving for a down payment for a house. I think that we were very, very fortunate.
I was also fortunate that Economics was offered in high school.
This was long before credit and debit cards were prevelent. The fast and easy refinancing of houses, the 0% down loans and only interest loans.
We do our children a diservice if they are not taught at home. I believe that because money is still a taboo subject in many homes; it should be taught in schools to help ensure that high school graduates are prepared to go out into the world.
I live within my means but not keeping these promises is fine. why keep your hair grey and feel like crap about yourself? I think you should be gentler with yourself especially if you can afford it.
YES! They don't have to be financial planners or have a degree in finance, but teach the basics. Some parents don't even know how to budget their own ledger. We have economics classes which are way over the kids' heads. Why not teach practical real life subjects that every child will eventually encounter?
How many kids do you know use physics and calculus? Not as many as the kids that take those classes, but they are taught in our schools. Our financial literacy in this country is oh so sad. My neighbor works for customer service for those pre-paid cards. Many of the customers don't even realize that they have to fund the card in order to use it. And those are adults! So many adults have no idea that you're supposed to live within your means.
If we want things to change, then let's start with the kids. Let's teach them that if they do make $10/hr and work 20hrs/wk, then that $600/month car payment doesn't make sense when there are taxes, insurance, maintenance and gas to pay for. Get them while they're young in hopes that we change this country's financial future.