Teenagers: a lack of regard for money

Over the past several months I have come to the conclusion that teenagers have a lack of regard for money -- especially when it comes to what we know as "small change" meaning cents, nickels, dimes and quarters.

I've been in parking lots when teenagers exit their cars and small change falls out of their pockets and onto the parking lot and they don't seem to care -- and seem to be oblivious to it -- even though it made enough sound for me to hear it.

I've gone through drive-thru windows for fast food restaurants when teenagers short changed me a dime or a few cents or even a quarter. And when I called this to their attention I was given a response like "you want the change?"

My girlfriend over the weekend bought her 17 year old son a new bedroom set. On Sunday I helped her move out his old furniture and behind and under his bed there was about a dollar's worth of change covered with dust bunnies because it had been there for so long. As I picked up the change and gave it to my girlfriend I commented about how many times her son asked for a couple of dollars to make a "run" to the Wendy's or McDonald's nearby.

And on my girlfriend's clothes dryer and washer there is more change that came from the teenager's pockets.

Don't the kids know that when you have a quarter here and a quarter there and throw in a few dimes and nickels and cents that it makes a dollar? And when you add up a dollar here and a dollar there -- you can have some real money?

I also told my girlfriend that I love when her son has his pals over on a Saturday night. Because when I walk her dog Sunday morning there is loose change all over the sidewalk and driveway and on the road in front of her home. What do they do -- intentionally throw it to the ground? Yes, the streets of this part of America are paved with money.

Teenagers, and young people in general, are typically terrible with money.

I wasn't like this as a young person, but I was unusual in that regard.

It doesn't surprise me that they laugh at loose change, especially with how many teenagers these days are spoiled by their parents.

My son is only 4 right now, but when he gets older, I will make sure he understands to respect money.

When I first moved to Chicago I saw a homeless man in a wheelchair approach some tourists for money. When they gave him some spare change from their pockets he threw it back at them.

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Originally Posted by Nash

When I first moved to Chicago I saw a homeless man in a wheelchair approach some tourists for money. When they gave him some spare change from their pockets he threw it back at them.

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I've seen that too. But my most vivid recollection about giving money to someone was when I was in high school and I had to go to Washington DC for a meeting of the Student Council presidents from all over the USA. My father got me a ticket on the Metroliner train from New York City to Washington and the ticket was for the "club car" which had the big seats -- sorta like first class. He gave me a dollar bill to tip the porter as I left in Washington.

There was a distinguished looking older lady getting off the train ahead of me and I clearly noticed what she gave the porter -- ten bright and shiny new PENNIES. He still graciously helped the older lady down the steps onto the platform, still smiling and wished her a good day.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Teenagers, and young people in general, are typically terrible with money.

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As the resident "Young Person", I agree..I throw all my money away in the casino, based on what some old guy said was a "good gamble". LOL