Financial advice
Colleen Taylor, New Farm QLD
Date: 20 April 2008
I would like to see introduced into the school curriculum a compulsory course that will prepare young people in managing and understanding the procedures involved in administering their finances and learning to cope with the many facets of modern life.
I have a daughter who is 27 years of age and she tells me of the terrible predicament her friends have found themselves in regarding university loans and home repayments which most can't afford. Why young people are not educated either by their parents or the schools in todays climate is inexcusable.
The course I suggest should emphasise saving; banking; the stock market; higher education loans; buying a home and all the costs incurred such as stamp duty, electrical, gas and water supply as well as home insurance and furnishings; living on a one and two family income and what occurs when a couple decides to start a family which may result in managing on one income; costs that are involved in bringing up a child; medical insurance; writing a will; purchasing and running a car etc.
I believe that many of today's problems are due to young people not fully understanding the rapidly changing society that they live in. Such a course would prepare them to successfullly and happily survive within it.
