USA Today ran a front page story recently on the impact of financial illiteracy. It raises the issue of how not learning money lessons before you head out to the workplace can cause additional stress and challenges, especially in a down economy. A recent PNC financial survey finds that young adults, around age 20+, have roughly $45,000 in debt, and unemployment for 18-24 year olds stands at 12.4%, above the national average of 8.2%.  Sobering stats.

If you have someone in your life heading into this tough climate, start helping them now to network their way into a job.  Show them how to use the connections in their lives and yours to get employed.  If you have a child in your life that is even younger, years from this battleground, start teaching them about money now so they can avoid adding crippling debt to their list of challenges as they launch into the adult world after college. Continue reading