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Kids and Money... The 3 C's.

By
Mortgage and Lending with First Class Financial Services NMLS#162476

Critical. Control. Credit.  Critical is #1. Control is 1.1. Credit is #1.2.  (All close in line is what I am trying to say)  

I have talked to my son about all of these since he was a toddler.  Little did he know when we were talking about how inappropriate it was for him to be throwing a fit while begging for candy at the grocery store, that we were really talking about his credit report.   "You cannot get future great stuff without doing the right thing right now" 

Critically think first, practice some control and know that credit is like breathing.   Re-read that last sentence.  If we all jumped out of bed, said "Goodmorning Day" and adopted that as our new mantra... where would we be? 

So many clients come to me with the dream of home ownership only for me to tell them that their credit score it too low to qualify.  They have worked their butts off, they have spent years saving the down payment money, they have changed their lifestyle to handle the new dream mortgage payment but skid...... no dream home for you.  Their credit score is too low because last December, when they bought a new big screen TV instead of making the credit card payment,  they forgot... "You cannot get future great stuff without doing the right thing right now"  I have to also remind them that their credit score plummets and is like climbing Mount Everest to get the score back up again.   THAT conversation is why I write this blog.  Although titled "Kids and Money", sometimes my 44 year old clients need to be reminded of the lessons they should have learned with they were 4.

Critical. Control. Credit.  Start with YOUR kids when they are 4. 

Having a dream is good, owning one is better!

Posted by

Leslie Nilsen, Owner

First Class Financial Services, proudly mortgage lending since 1999!

602.294.9288(O)

602.294.9830(F)

www.fcfs.net

MB#0902810

NMLS #162494

AZDFI Loan Officer # LO-0911453

Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

When my children became teenagers they were always wanting the latest labels and newest fads. I put them on a clothing budget provided annually at back-to-school and that changed their attitudes.

Apr 12, 2011 05:05 AM
Leslie Nilsen
First Class Financial Services NMLS#162476 - Phoenix, AZ
First Class Financial

Vickie

Don't even get me started on a BUDGET :)... Ill let everyone work on the Critical.Control. Credit part for a bit... budgeting seems like such a foreign term to so many people, it boggles my mind.  The class I taught to 8th graders we gave them a $10 an hour job and showed how much they would make on a monthly basis.  We then asked if they wanted to move out of Mom and Dad's house.  Of course, we got a unanimous YES... they we started breaking out how much they would spend on everything.  Every year inevitably the kids spent $3000 and made $1700... they were shocked! What? Where did all my money go?

Starting your kids on a budget at teenagers is a mother's gift that can never be re-paid.  I don't know if they have thanked you but I will for them.  THANK YOU MOM!

 

Apr 12, 2011 05:25 AM