For those who have “rising juniors” or even “rising seniors” in high school, the topic of what college to choose will consume a great deal of your time and emotion. Yes, I said emotion. It’s a balance between what they want, what you want for them, and what you can afford or feel is right to invest.

In this podcast I share with you my own experience when it was my time up at bat and what I have learned from other parents over the last 20 years when we talked about the big college decision.

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My daughter Allison’s first job was at a shoe store. She quickly realized that it was hard to make money at $1 a pair of shoes sold on commission(!).  She then moved on to waiting tables at a local restaurant. At the start of this summer job, we talked about how much she would save. She was not inclined to save, so I let things ride until after the summer was over.

Do the math

Just before she was to go back to college, I invited her out to lunch to talk about how much money she made over the summer. We talked about what was left to head back to college with to cover her “expenses” that we did not cover. Just for fun – mine alone, mind you – I did the math for her. I showed her how much money she had made – and what was left.

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It’s here – summer and the “peak wedding” season.  In this podcast, we asked kids how much they think a wedding costs and who they think should pay for it.  Their answers may surprise you!

Discussing the costs of a wedding, who pays for what and how much to spend can be an awkward and an emotional conversation after the engagement happens.  (Saying “no” to your daughter standing in front of you in the dress of her dreams is a gut-wrenching moment for any parent or guardian.) But painful conversations and disappointed expectations between the bride and groom-to-be and their families can be avoided.  The key – start well before the couple are ready to head down the aisle – way before (earlier than you might think).  In this podcast I offer for some ideas to help your family with that conversation.  Here are a few highlights:

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Have you ever discussed your family money values with your kids? Do they know what it means to “keep up with the Joneses”? Have your kids ever asked why your house is so small compared to their friend’s house? Or maybe they ask why your family stayed home for Spring Break instead of going on a trip together?

In this latest podcast, kids are asked what it means to “keep up with the Joneses” and what it means to be “rich.”  Listen in for my tips that follow on how to discuss your family money values together and answer the question your kids may have asked already, “Are we rich?”

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