I was part of a workshop for teenagers last weekend at Sacramento City College. A facilitator, Michael Lee, who teaches at American River College and works for Golden 1 Credit union asked this question: “What is important to you?” He also asked “what does money do for you and the adults in your life?” At first the answers were as expected. “I can buy things.” “It makes me happy.” “I can buy presents, and we could go on a vacation”. As the room grew silent, the adults sitting in the back of the room began to join in. One by one each adult added their words: stressful, complicated, workaholic, struggling, unhappy, divorcing, bill collectors, bankruptcy and I wish I had more because there is never enough.
The teens were excited and hopeful about money and acquiring more money. The adults were sad, struggling and unhappy when they were talking about money. This got me thinking. How come the relationships with money were so different between the teens and the adults? Wouldn’t it be great if talking about money was not taboo? I would love to know how many adults discuss money with their children, explaining how and why financial decisions are made for the family.
Larry Burkett, a noted financial author, says, “Money is either the best or the worst area of communication in our personal relationships.” I am curious, do you believe this statement is true? What has been your experience with money, relationships and communication?
