Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you'd made different decisions when you were younger? Jason Ryan Dorsey, a corporate speaker and author of My Reality Check Bounced!, says that these days many 20-somethings take far more than four years to graduate college. Many of them live above their means, letting credit card bills add up and often being unable to find jobs—perhaps because their standards are too high, he says. Jean talks to Jason about what we can do as parents to get our kids off to the right start:
Give your children a cash allowance. When that last dollar is spent, don't offer any more.
Under any circumstances, don't give them a credit card. Children look at plastic as just that, and they don't see the bills that come with it.
Send them out to get a job. They will certainly hesitate before spending the money they've earned themselves.
Jason also has advice for people in their 20s who are on the job hunt:
Watch technology. If you're looking for a job, take down any personal webpages. By the same token, be sure to keep your cell phone message appropriate.
Dress professionally in the workplace. If anything, go in overdressed and over-prepared.
Present the same image on paper. Whether you're e-mailing your resume around or sending it through snail mail, keep cover letters formal and check for spelling and grammar errors.
