Why are we so slow to learn about money? It is an old saying that we have all heard before: “We get too soon old and too late smart.” Sadly, there is all too much truth in that line, and nowhere is this more apparent than when it comes to money.
I think it is an interesting question to ask why this is so. Someone asked me just today in so many words. The way they asked it was to question why no one ever taught them about money when they were younger. Now, they explained, they thought it was too late to save them from a dismal old age.
At least a part of the answer is one that grows out of the Great Depression that shook the world back in the 1930’s. My parents experienced that time while they were fairly young, but it affected them significantly.
I can remember them telling me when I asked questions about money as a child that they had to worry about money too much when they were growing up and they didn’t want me to do the same. They wanted me to enjoy my childhood.
Fortunately for them, they learned from their parents how to manage money. Unfortunately for me and my generation, we did not. As a result, we now live in a world where most people are almost totally inept when it comes to money management.
There are many lessons to learn from this. Learning about money is important at any age. Most of us need to get some remedial education to whip us in fiscal shape. And we need to educate our children in the basic skills of money management that will help them succeed in life.
It is never too late to learn about money. In truth, learning about money is is one of the most valuable things a person can do at any age.
