Do your kids know how much your healthcare costs?
December 15, 2010
“I sat in on a group of teens to discuss healthcare a few months back. We watched Michael Moore’s movie, Sicko and then had a open discussion. These kids were all amazed at how folks that HAVE insurance are screwed by health insurance conglomerates (sp)!! They are didn’t know alot about the healthcare (coverage or lack thereof) in their own homes. They were very interested in the cost for them to be cover by their parents, if their family had insurance. The kids that were getting to the age where they would have to get their own coverage were very worried, if they could afford it and if the insurance companies would disqualify them (b/c nowadays this happens OFTEN)! I think that students should be exposed to the conversation/dialogue just so that they are aware b/c in the long run, it will affect them as individuals and as folks that end up caring for the boomers and us X’ers.”
OK, I don’t know where I got this quote. And I apologize for that. I found it way down in my pile of things to do for this blog. If it is yours, please let me know.
But, yeah. Do your kids know how much your healthcare costs? Do you have health insurance? Do they know that you do or don’t? Do they know what it costs you to go to the doctor each time? Do they know what it costs your insurance company each time you go to the doctor? DO YOU?
This is a great discussion to have with your kids. And a great thing to teach them. Especially in light of the discussions we have been having in this country over the past year. It’s important to prepare our kids for adulthood by teaching them about the cost of healthcare. And to help them get smart so that they, as a generation, can find new, innovative solutions for our country.
Justine
My friend Heidi and her first job out of college
March 20, 2009
My friend Heidi graduated from college in the spring of 1983. For you young kids, that was a time of a really bad recession, when unemployment rates were higher than they are now and when it was very difficult to find a job coming out of college.
Heidi recently wrote me her story in response to one of our posts. I loved what she had to say. I thought it had great insight for the parents who read this blog, as well as the teens who read it, who are thinking about their futures.
“I remember the 70s recession well although not as well as the 1980′s market place when I got out of college and unemployment was rampant and banks and home builders were failing. My first real job was at a savings and loan in Texas in the department where they managed and resold all the foreclosed properties! Sound familiar?
“Three or four years ago I was telling people not to make risky real estate investments because the economy reminded me of the 80s. But then I went and bought a house in Phoenix! I guess I should practice what I preach! I think many of the kids, including my son, that were born in the late 80s through the 90s have been exposed to much excess and have become a bit spoiled. It’s like many of the 20 somethings these days just don’t want to work!”
Thank you, Heidi!
Justine
Lessons from a Recession
February 19, 2009
Yesterday, Sue Shellenbarger had another fantastic article in the Wall Street Journal titled, “How Growing Up in a Recession Can Shape A Child’s Future.” You may find the article in the links in the right had column of this page, or at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123491027420603457.html.
In this article, Ms. Shellenbarger discusses the many different ways that our children may be impacted by a recession. I think this is good reading, because it can help you, parents, to anticipate the outcomes for your kids. And to better plan what you want your children to gain from this unprecedented time. For you teens (another big part of our readership), you can read this article and think about what you want to learn from what is happening now.
This article made me think about my kids. It made me think that I am so glad that my kids know how to earn money. If worse comes to worst, my kids know how to make a buck. They could actually help support the family. My kids all have healthy savings accounts, another important asset that could help the family in a real crunch.
This article also reminds me of my own childhood. I was a teenager during the 1974-1975 recession. My brother died suddenly. My dad lost his job. We had to sell the house that my parents owned and move to a rental house in the next school district. I didn’t want to change schools, since I knew we would be moving again when my father found a job again. So I rode my bike three miles each way every day to be able to stay at my old school. I worked my butt off to try to normalize my life in a very difficult time.
I learned a lot as a kid in that recession. I think this recession can also be a great learning experience for my kids.
Justine
