As credit tightens, because of the massive losses in the financial sector of the economy, student loans will become harder and harder to get - leaving few options. Learning the hard way will become that norm – as the likely return of “on the job training” as new businesses try to fill the void.
Perhaps the most important thing Americans need to learn is ‘Financial Management’ – as most of the population doesn’t even know how to balance a checkbook anymore. All we know is how to spend money, as shown by the negative savings rate and record trade deficit of the last several years. If the government wanted to help the nation recover faster – the best thing they could do is offer financial classes in every community. They could rely on the churches and use public funds from the ‘faith based initiatives’ to start personal financial classes at churches around the country.
Churches are where people are probably going to go anyway, as they look for help any where they can get it. Churches will be flooded with people needing financial help, and they will be more than likely directed to the leading Financial Ministry in the country, Crown Financial Ministries. Crown Financial Ministries offers financial planning courses at local churches across the country with its large network of volunteers and leaders in every state. If you need help with your finances or budget, you can visit their website and look for a local church where they offer courses. http://www.crown.org/
In the book, "Why We Want You To Be Rich", Robert Kiyosaky and Donald Trump – two to the most successful men in the last decade, also believe that financial education is needed.
"Both men blame the lack of financial education for the United States having gone from the richest country in the world to the biggest debtor nation in history so quickly."
Education is a Personal Responsibility
America needs to stop shopping and start reading. The average number of books read per adults has declined for 30 years -- yet we wonder why jobs are being eliminated. Education is a personal responsibility. The only way to gain an edge and keep it is to continue to read books throughout your life. The few books you read in college will only get you your first job, but you quickly learn how much you don't know. It can be overwhelming, but the truth is that we all need to put forth extra effort (after work) to stay competitive in the global economy.
Education results in an insight that can replace fear, and greatly enhances your chances of success. Education is how a business finds leverage to produce a profit. Without studying an industry for years, it is very difficult to find a competitive advantage that can be use to outperform its competitors.
Homeschooling Teaches Personal Responsibility for Education
The basis for Homeschooling teaches children three important things,
1. How to read (2-6 years old)
2. How to learn from reading (6-12 years old)
3. How to love to read and learn (13-18 years old)
These basic concepts of learning from reading are the results of surrounding children with books, which is exactly what happens in a homeschooling family. Most homeschooling families use the public library to constantly influence their children with new exciting books creating an environment of books within the home so that they cannot possibly get away from their influence.
Homeschooling also teaches children that their education is their responsibility. As children get older, they are introduced to more and more independent study courses and workbooks. They also become familiar with the concept that education costs money as they see their parents budgeting and shopping for their curriculum each year. Many students in the public schools do not understand these things and see going to school as a burden rather than an asset to their future.
My own children are very grateful they are homeschooled and realize the privilege that they have. The concept of free government education has over time reduced the value of education from a privilege to a right. Far too many children and parents today believe that a good education is their fundamental right and that it is someone else’s responsibility. Education is a personal responsibility and homeschooled children that learn this at a young age are much better prepared for the future.