Episode 6: MONEY
“Americans...believe many things that are obviously untrue. Their most destructive untruth is that it is very easy for any American to make money. They will not acknowledge how in fact hard money is to come by, and, therefore, those who have no money blame...themselves. This inward blame has been a treasure for the rich and powerful, who have had to do less for their poor, publicly and privately, than any other ruling class since, say Napoleonic times.”
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Why is it so hard to talk about money? Our very real cultural taboo when it comes to talking about money is a cause of serious anxiety, stress, and shame. And family units are hardly exempt from the serious lack of communication and openness in this arena, in fact, you might be hard pressed to find someone whose parents really taught them useful skills and knowledge growing up, when it comes to financial literacy.
In this episode of The Talk, I hope to explore some of the reasons we are so reticent when it comes to talking to our kids about money. I start by examining (along with my parents, Shari and Craig) a bit of my own relationship to and knowledge about money management.
I also chat with Melanie Hopkins, a financial consultant, writer, educator, and mother, about the ways our educational systems and predatory money management companies have enabled a lack of useful financial literacy. And about some ways we can start making money and family finances part of natural conversation with our kids.
And I round out the episode speaking with Clayton Craddock about the ways his upbringing, his career as a freelance musician, and his experience as a single father have shaped his relationship with money throughout his life, and about why he plans to never retire.
