do you think money management courses should be offered in highschool?

Absolutely! I think a lot of kids start receiving credit card offers when they go to college, and end up with a huge amount of debt before they even graduate. I definitely think there should be budgeting courses, debt management courses and of course the typical accounting courses.

YES YES YES!! I think this is SOOOOO very necessary for kids. I mean, they teach all kinds of poetry and literature and things that don't matter in todays world, like Romeo and Juliet - they have to learn and receit and all... what the heck is the point?!?! But teach them how to balance a check book, how to earn interest, how to keep receipts, how to do all kinds of finacial things that can help them later in life - I can triple guarentee you that being able to receit lines from a shakespear play or know what happened millions of years ago - is not going to be advantegous to them in the furture. I homeschooled my son his spphmore/junior high school years - well, it was home school through the high school its self... and they taught him about balancing a check book, interest accrued and payment and things like that. HIs other friends graduated and couldn't balance a check book or even have a clue as to financial issues.

Personally, this is an excellent idea. Money management and mock marriages, child rearing, etc. really needs to be taught so then they can decide and learn for themselves what it is like out here in the real world, and actually help teach some kids a little more responsibility as well. Back in the day when a lot of us that are at least 35 or older can remember Home Economics and Health classes that taught a little more responsibility and stuff that most kids ever learn at school anymore. Then it bleeds in to as they get older they are Lazy, and know nothing about life and still expect everything to continue to be handed to them never wanting to work for anything as well. Or constantly in trouble, or continuously ruining their credit without a Care in the world as well.

I think even primary school should start to offer basic financial management classes. The kids should have the concept of how to manage their own financial even when they are young. I plan to educate my kids about the financial management when they are young, so that they will understand "money" better and won't simply request to buy stuffs. It's good for their future too.

It couldn't hurt. They don't teach a lot of the practical stuff, at least in the US. It's still almost as bad as it was when I was in High School. I opened a checking account when I was a teenager to hold money I made babysitting and working in a bookstore. Only nobody ever showed me how to write a check. I had to ask the woman standing in line in front of me at the bank. Later when I was in college, a friend took me aside and asked me to show him how to write a check. he was so embarrassed, he made me promise not to tell anybody that he'd never learned to write a check. Kids should be taught stuff like that in school.

Money management is a necessary life skill that is more important now than ever. I sure could have benefited from some instruction in that area when I was a teenager. I did not know what I was doing and did some damage that took years to correct. I think high schools should offer education in handling a budget, balancing a checkbook, using credit responsibly and long term planning. It could help a lot of people, and should be a part of the base curriculum, not just offered as an extra.

Hi cher, I think that would be a great idea, as credit cards are ruining too many lives today. Interest rates are very high on some cards and they are far too easy to get. I know that many young people have dreams of being independent and making their own decisions, but I think such a course would help them make the right ones. I'm not saying that we have to get rid of all credit cards, but we need to understand when we really need them, what we can afford and how to choose the one best for us. Great post. Blessings

I do think it's a good idea to teach kids money management and to even require that everyone complete a course at school. Two ways parents can teach kids how to manage money is to set up 1 or both of these systems: one is an allowance system, the other is a work for pay system. I meet many parents who try to "blend" these 2 together and it just doesn't work. I'd include a regular "pay day" for the allowance system. Allowance is given for no reason once a week while work for pay must be earned. For the work for pay system, I'd make a list of tasks the child can do around the house and the amount I would pay them. Post the list on the fridge. The kid has to ask a parent FIRST before doing the task, to make sure the task needs to be done at that time. When the kid completes the job and passes parent inspection, the money for that job is paid. A parent can also set a "rule" that for all money earned, the kid must bank in his piggy bank 50% of it. The other can be spent as he/she wishes. No "free" money should be given to the kid if either of these systems is instituted. (well, other than the allowance system, which in essence, is free money, not to be given for any task done). If the money is contingent on a task, then it't work for pay.

My son's high school has a course in "leadership and citizenship" which is a vague collection of lessons for everyday life. They have dedicated a 4 week portion of the course for money management. It's incredible that a lot of high school kids don't even know how to balance a checkbook. I think its a necessary survival skill these days to learn some kind of money management so the next generation might have a chance to stay out of debt.

Definitely, yes. This is so important in a society where investment means growth for the future and where the economy dominates everybody's life. Young people do need to be taught how to handle money early in life. When they grow up it will be sound training for whatever they do.

I think some high schools are teaching that among many other "life skills" in a course that took the place of Home Eonomics. I can't remember what they call it, but they basically set up a "household" and they have to run it (on paper of course). I don't think it's primarily the school's place however. Parents need to start teaching their children at a very young age to manage small allowances, or gift money etc. instead of allowing them to spend every penny they get on "stuff and junk", and teaching them to save a little (insist on it). Teaching these things is just like teaching them to talk. If they mispronounce a word you keep helping them til they can say it right. Managing money is the same. They want what they want, but parents should still be in control to a certain point in their child's spending habits. As far as the 15 year old that doesn't know how to manage money, I've got some grandchildren in their 20's that are in the same boat and parents are still helping them financially. I think that's just wrong!

i guess money management should be added to every school curriculum.. you know, people nowadays doesn't know how to spend their money wisely and i must admit that i used to be one of them.. now that i have my own place, i've learned how to prioritize things... it's important that we supply our basic needs and necessities like food, water shelter, clothing?(not really).. and investments like home furniture and appliances..

I sure do. My daughters think money grows on trees. Yes it really should. I think it is hard at that age too. Children should be taught this, especially about dept and things as it is so tempting to get into. Having the knowledge to budget their money should be taught at an early age. My 20 year old cannot manage her house. I am fed up bailing her out. I am teaching her by telling her no more help. She is going to learn the hard way. Good discussion. This needs addressing in Schools.

Yes definitly. The sooner you understand about how the world works the better.

its good idea i think cause it will teach them to know the meaning of money, not only by spending them out. by having money management skill, i believe they more wisely to expand their money. avoiding spend budget with credit card is wisely thing to do since all of us know about the risk of credit card if not spending wisely

I think this should be a required course in high school. It never hurts anyone to learn as much as possible about managing money, adults included. We have three daughters, who are all grown now, but one made a total disaster from her life financially. She just happens to be the most educated also. She's exceptionally bright, has a great career but can't find her way out of a paperbag when it comes to handling money. Over the last few years, she has managed to get herself in such a bind that I had to bail her out too many times to count. She's stable now but did learn the hard way, via me. So again I say money management courses should be required, not just offered, in high school. Very good discussion.

Hi Cher, I think this an excellent idea. In fact money management was covered in Home Econmics when I was at school. We would be given a budget and lived in a flat attached to the home economics room for a week and we used to have to plan meals, go shopping for the ingredients and still be within budget. This was daytime only we went home from school at night but it was a great exercise. Huggles. Ellie :D

Oh yes so very much in deed. You leave school and get offered all these credit cards/store cards etc and no one really expalins that you have to pay it all back properly, hence so many young people being in debt etc. Roll on the day they do it and very quickly please.

defintely money managemnt courses should be there in the high school. Till high school person becomes well educated and can decide between good and bad things. Hence, from the beginning only they get to know how to make saving and future plannig. Knowledge should be given regarding credit cards, debit cards , ATM.. Most importantly information regarding internet banking. She might be using internet, could be warned regarding giving information of bank accounts and all on net. !

Quite frankly I think most people do not know how to manage their money wisely. I am surprised this life skill is not taught. It is one thing that will be used even after leaving school and for the rest of their lives.