Today's Dr. Phil: I am truly shocked

[barbeml]

Today's topic was college grads whining that they are in debt, Mommy & Daddy are no longer paying for everything and they do not have "totally awesome fun jobs."

Talk about people who need a reality check. None of these kids seems to have gotten any parental guidance on how to live day to day. Some did not know how to write a check or what it costs to maintain a car.

Some were $60,000 in debt! Monthly budget items ranged from "the bulk of my income goes for alcohol" to "I spend $2,000 per month on clothes." They interviewed a bunch of other college kids on the street who said they thought the average salary they would get for their first job was $100,000!

Why aren't parents talking about this important stuff with their kids today? My parents always discussed household finance, good credit habits etc. with us, and there was even a class in High School called "Single Survival" that taught us everything from opening a bank account to managing credit.

Yikes!

 

[Bob Slydell]

Welcome to the real world!

 

[Deb in IA]

They are the kids who got limo rides for their 5th grade graduation . . .

 

[Jolie C]

It's going to be a big shock when reality kicks them right square in the teeth...

 

[Beth76]

I just turned it on. I'll have to comment when it's over. I've watched for two minutes and I'm shocked already. These are the same kids who parent's have to give them "everything".

 

[goofy4tink]

You know...my dd, 27, keeps telling me that she wants my life...sahm, nice house, new car, DVC.(well, maybe not the DVC). I keep telling her it's all about paying your dues. Do they (the youngsters) think that we (the oldsters) got our lifestyles at the age of 19??!! Man, a lot of sweat and tears went into my getting where I am now. In fact, still sweating and crying at times! They really are clueless.

 

[snoopy]

Well, we had parents (or in some cases grandparents) who survived the Depression. We were taught how to stretch a dollar and never take money for granted. Today's generation has baby boomers for parents -- they weren't taught those same life skills.

Just a guess, anyhow.

 

[Mishetta]

Ditto to what Deb in IA said!

 

[Sirius]

They just don't get it do they?

I wish I had recorded it to show my HS Seniors.

 

[tmq2766]

These people were probably picked up in a limo when they graduated from grade school. (Just being sarcastic)

 

[CEDmom]

Because their parents were too busy renting limos to pick them up from 5th grade graduation (another thread) to have time for such trivial stuff as basic life skills .

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by tmq2766
These people were probably picked up in a limo when they graduated from grade school. (Just being sarcastic)

That's so funny that we posted the same answer.

 

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by CEDmom
That's so funny that we posted the same answer.

Great minds think alike, CEDmom!!

 

[Hillbeans]

LOL at the limo comments

As a whole, I find that the "guests" on the Dr. Phil show tend to be "extremists" (ie, the dumbest, clueless, etc).

With that being said, i've known many kids who don't know the first thing about a checking account. In today's world, there are people living in a dump driving BMW's instead of saving money for a "rainy day". We live in a world wanting instant gratification.

My mom always taught my brother and I about money. We had savings accounts from a very young age. I'd love to drive around a fancy sports car, but i'd also rather save money for my son's college education and for the day I retire.


Edited to add - Where are these $100,000K jobs.....!!! Talk about fantasyland.

 

[2bemarried]

Thank goodness my parents taught me how to survive in the real world. Even if I did get sick and tired of hearing dad say "welcome to the real world". Some of these kids are spoiled brats. sheesh

 

[Miss Jasmine]

That's because these are the kids whose parents went to the teacher and complained when they didn't get an "A", or the kids who parents always ran out and got them whatever they asked for, or the kids whose parents went and complained when their child got in trouble at school, etc. etc. etc. Face it, there are a lot of kids being raised out there with the "gimme" and "I deserve it" mentality.

 

[barbeml]

I agree that Dr. Phil's guests are generally on the extreme end of any issue, but this kind of attitude-- "the world owes me a good time...for free"--is what I saw a couple of years ago from three 20-somethings I worked with for a few months. That trio was pathetic--all living off their parents (proudly contributing nothing at home--financial, chores or otherwise) and spending their salaries on music, movies, "partying" and cars.

I hope Mom and Dad have plenty socked away for these parasites to live off when they are gone, because they are going to have a tough time getting along without help!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

BWAH! I'm glad reality is smacking these kids in the face.

For my first job out of college I was paid about $19,000 a year. I quickly realized that I needed to go back to school and make an effort to take the next step.

The only people I knew who had even remotely good jobs out of college were the ones who went straight into their family's business.

It was back to law school for me! Now I am in debt from law school, but it's sort of a badge of honor.

 

[Beast]

There are many valid points here. But I was wondering one other possible answer.

In defense of some of their parents....

How many kids just think their parents are "blowin' smoke" when they try to teach them about lifes realities? Most kids think they know everything anyway and won't even bother listening to someone who's "old".

I'm starting to think anyone under 30 is just totally brain-dead. There are exceptions of course. (But not many).

 

[onecoolmama]

I didnt see the show...but

My cousin is graduating from Tulane. When she graduates, she will be 80k in debt. If she chooses to go to med school she will be over 125k in debt.

I went for 3 years. I was on full scholarship, but I had to pay for room/board. I came out paying 400 a month in Student Loans. My first job was well, waitressing. But then, I worked as a leasing consultant and moved up to assistant manager before I stopped to have kids. I never made more the 30k!

DH went to York University in Toronto for 1 year. If he had stayed there, he could have graduated debt free. But he decided to go to UPENN and we owe a lot for that decision.

We had no idea how hard life was...and we learned the hard way. But now I am 27 and Dh has an excellent job (for being 27) and we are very fortunate. I think people in this area realize how much it costs to live here. That is why all of my cousins still live at home! LOL!!!