Lessons in Money Pay Off (as seen in the Joliet Herald)

When I was a kid, my dad would come home with his paycheck and we'd go to the bank to make a deposit. At that time, he'd also take some cash out for the week. At the store I'd see money exchange hands and change being made. Dad would sit down twice a month to write out checks to pay the bills. I was taught that money "in" had to at least equal money "out."

Today, most parents have direct deposit and a debit card. There is no weekly trip to the bank or cash exchange at the store counter. Instead of writing checks to pay bills, bills are now deducted automatically from a checking account. Over the last two generations, the tactile experience of handling money has changed and the way we teach our children about money has not kept pace. This, I believe, has played a major role in today's economic environment.

How many times has your child told you, "Just go to the money machine and take out money" or "Just use that plastic card in your purse, Mommy?"

I did something three months ago that I should have done with my son several years ago. I took him to the bank where he opened a bank account with the money he had been saving in his "money container" located in his room. Last week, I did the exact same thing with my six-year-old. We have now had conversations about why a bank pays interest to people, about balancing the money that comes in to the money that goes toward monthly expenses and about why we can't just "buy whatever we want." It's truly been an education for both of my children.

We are told to talk to our children at a young age about the dangers of drugs and alcohol because those conversations at young ages have a tremendous impact on deterring drug use later in life. I say, why not talk to them about the dangers of money? Why not talk to them about the dangers of credit cards? Why not explain to them about balancing a household budget or living "within their means?"

It's time that we give children the responsibility of handling their money with their own bank account. It's time to talk about the household budget with the children. It's time to teach our kids responsibility when it comes to money and maybe, just maybe, we can avoid another economic crisis like the one we've been experiencing.

Please Don't Advertise to Our Kids... Realistic?

A letter writing campaign by the Boston branch of the "Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood" is asking Toy Company executives to cut back on marketing toys directly to children.

Here is what the Toy Industry Association had to say in a statement on the matter: "children are a vital part of the gift selection process. If children are not aware of what is new and available, how will they be able to tell their families what their preferences are? While there is certainly greater economic disturbance going on now, families have always faced different levels of economic well-being and have managed to tailor their spending to their means."

I was watching an old Planet of the Apes commercial tonight that was promoting action figures. Kids hand their hands on them making them move. Today, I've seen commercials of Barbie walking on her own (which is NOT something that the Barbie doll can do.) This, in my mind, is false advertising. The product is not being represented for what it truly is.

Sometimes, as a parent, we have to say "no" to our kids. It's a fact of life. That responsibility clearly falls upon our shoulders, as parents, as something we have to do. Some parents have trouble telling their kids "no" and really need to get over that. Toy companies shouldn't get too defensive, either. Parents are just looking for a little help with money being so tight this year. Toy makers also need to remember that it is the parents who ultimately make the purchasing decisions.

I think this is a great opportunity to sit with your child after one of these commercials and talk about it. Does the ad mention a price? Is the product properly represented in the commercial? Is the toy appropriate? Kids will nag. This is a GREAT opportunity to engage them in conversation. We don't do enough of that with our children as a society. Had we only talked to our kids about money a generation or two ago, we might not be in the financial crisis we are currently in now.

Wal-Mart Employee Trampled by Herd of Salivating Consumers

I've done the whole waiting in line during the wee hours of "Black Friday" to grab the elusive $9.95 scanner or to get one of the other many great deals (with limited supplies). I get the mentality. I've lived it.

So, I'm not surprised that a man was trampled to death by a herd of salivating, price-savvy consumers in a Wal-Mart in New York State. Police are going through security footage to try to find the ones responsible. Other Wal-Mart employees tried to save the man, many of them being trampled as well, although not fatally.

When the store had to close due to the death, shoppers were irate.

I, personally, find this disturbing.

Looking for a Birthday Gift for Me?

With my December birthday just right around the corner, there is only one thing that I think would be awesome to have. Many of you know just how big of a Knight Rider fan I am and the next item on my list has got to be the coolest.

If you can't see the video, click HERE.

If any of you see this on sale anywhere, let me know. I'm not ready to fork over the $269 for it, yet. But, in an act of Christmas craziness... you just never know.

53,000 Citi Jobs - Gone by Early 2009

Take any city or county. Go to http://factfinder.census.gov/ and find the population of that city or county. Then, deduct 53,000 from that population number.

This is just one way to look at it.

While there is no doubt that this move is essential for the health and well-being of the company, it certainly gives us focus on the employment death toll that is probably just beginning. Seven Goldman Sachs senior executives, including the CEO, are not taking bonuses this year. Other financial institutions of this magnitude will probably follow suit. But, giving up the big executive bonus won't save many jobs... not 53,000 of them. Not 5,300 jobs. Not 530 jobs. Probably not even 53 jobs. But, the one thing that it will do for Goldman Sachs is to give the public a reason to respect them and, dare I say, admire them for this action. The benefits will be reaped in the future by Goldman Sachs.

To them I say - Good job!

Gov. Palin is Absolutely Correct

There are a lot of things being leaked about Governor Palin, such as her thinking that Africa was a country, and not a continent. The leaks are coming from none other than aides to John McCain.

Palin has refered to them as "jerks" and has even said that these people need to put their name to these claims. I couldn't agree more. If these things are true, then the aides "leaking" these claims ought to have the courage to give us their names. I get so sick of "anonymous sources say..." There seems to be a lack of credibility when you hear those three words together.

This attack on Sarah Palin has the fingerprints of trying to make her the reason McCain lost the election. Could there be someone, perhaps another 2012 presidential hopeful for the Republican Party, out there attempting to diminish Palin so that she will not have a chance in 2012? If so, who? Or, is this really just McCain aides pointing to Sarah Palin as the reason John McCain lost?

Either way, I think it is time the media left Sarah Palin alone. Yes, I am defending her. The election is over, it is time to move on.

The Dawn of a New Day

I decided that it was time to get back into the swing of things with the blog. I was going to wait until the beginning of 2009, but figured it was time to get back into it. So, let's begin.

It is an amazing time to be an American. John McCain was right. The voters spoke and they spoke clearly. It feels as if we are coming out of some very dark times and we can only hope that brighter days are ahead. I watched McCain's concession speech and thought, "where was THIS John McCain during the campaign?" Why he choose to cling to the weak Obama associations, Joe the Plumber, and the "spread the wealth" talking points we may never know. I'm sure his campaign manager instructed him to do this. Bad move.

Some very interesting news has surfaced about Governor Palin. It turns out that her wardrobe exceeded the $150,000 previously thought. I'd like to know when the wardrobe will be turned over to charity. The other item that Fox News reported was that Palin, at the very beginning of her short relationship with John McCain, did not know that Africa was a continent (she thought it was a country). Where is "Jay Walking" (the Tonight Show segment) when you need it?!

There was the McCain camp being upset that she was talking to a foreign leader... which you may have heard turned out to be a prank from a Canadian radio station. There are also reports that she answered her hotel room door in a towel when two McCain staffers paid her a visit during the Republican National Convention.

There is no way to know if some of these things are actually true or not. The answer is probably somewhere in the middle. But, even so, that still scares me.

Just think... she could have been Vice-President... or even President had something happened to McCain... America dodged a bullet on this one.

We now have the first black president. America has come a long way since the days before when another man from the state of Illinois, Abe Lincoln, went to Washington to be our President.

Blog Suspended

In the spirit of Senator John McCain, I have made a decision to suspend my blog for awhile. I really appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with you. There will be a time when TheRantings blog starts up again... In the meantime, stay strong, be kind to one another, and when the need arises.... RANT ON!