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Midnight Writer

(25,397 posts)

14. Basic money management. Making a budget, setting up savings, how to pay bills, how to shop, how to invest.

Reply to debm55 (Original post)

Wed Mar 18, 2026, 11:31 AM

Mar 18

In my High School, we learned this in a Physical Education class taught by our redneck football coach. He did this on his own, not as part of school policy.

He taught us basics such as how to write a check properly, budgeting and saving.

I found it to be a great help as I transitioned into adulthood. It was also a good starting point for further education in handling personal finances.

I've never been much of an earner, but by using very basic savings and investing (nothing fancy, nothing exotic) I have been able to enjoy a comfortable retirement without a lot of money worries.

A lot of the people I worked with, who made the same pay, ended up in dire financial straits. I am grateful to this bombastic football coach who saw and acted on a need that the curriculum overlooked.

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debm55

22 replies

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Highlight:

What should be taught in schools but isn't? I think auto mechanics-just basics. changing tires, adding air to tire. [View all] debm55 Mar 18 OP

In California, many ( or most ) offer what used to be called auto shop. quaint Mar 18 #1

Thank you very much, quaint. Around here it is taught in auto shop. Both I thing all students should be required to take debm55 Mar 18 #3

Financial responsibility. Polly Hennessey Mar 18 #2

Agree. Thank you very much for sharing with us, Polly Hennessey. debm55 Mar 18 #4

Also, return to teaching how to make change; it helps to make money real. quaint Mar 18 #18

How to function without electronic devices. Ocelot II Mar 18 #5

Yes, I agree with that, Thanks Ocelot II. Going to change OP debm55 Mar 18 #7

Used to be taught. FalloutShelter Mar 18 #6

Thank you FalloutShelter. for sharing with us. I had 700 in my HS in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. debm55 Mar 18 #8

Something like Home Ec FullySupportDems Mar 18 #9

Thank you very much for your suggestions, FullySupportDems. There are so many things that we don't know when leaving HS. debm55 Mar 18 #12

And so many life lessons we learn the hard way FullySupportDems Mar 18 #21

Students should have to pass the citizenship displacedvermoter Mar 18 #10

I agree.with you . Thank you very much for sharing with us. displacedvermoter.Excellent idea. debm55 Mar 18 #11

My dad taught me all of that before I was 12. sinkingfeeling Mar 18 #13

Thank you very much for sharing with us. sinkingfeelling. My dad really had nothing to do with his kids. He worked and debm55 Mar 18 #17

Basic money management. Making a budget, setting up savings, how to pay bills, how to shop, how to invest. Midnight Writer Mar 18 #14

I'll second this. My parents stressed about saving our money but forgot to tell us what to do with it Deuxcents Mar 18 #15

Thank you very much for sharing with us. Midnight Writer. That was terrific information to be taught. debm55 Mar 18 #16

Basic auto stuff is a good start sorcrow Mar 18 #19

Academics, critical thinking, trades & recess :) TBF Mar 18 #20

Home/Office management halobeam Mar 19 #22