Apparently, it is the ‘Ipod’ generation – never knew I was an Ipod (insecure, pressurised, over-taxed, debt ridden) – who are going to suffer most in the credit crunch.
The Guardian article claims that we’re going to be struggling to pay back our debts, find it hard to come by credit and there will be an ever more growing distrust between us and ‘them’ – being the government, banks, institutions etc.
Well, how did we end up in this mess? Part of it has to go back to our education. Were we ever told about mortgages? About housing? About tax? About anything financial at school? No, we had plenty of sex education lessons but when it came to ’soft’ options like general studies they wasted the opportunity to teach everyone some useful and proper lessons from independent bodies.
You can’t rely on the mortgage lender (who gets a £500 kick back for providing you with a mortgage) to give you unbiased, professional advice about a product that you know nothing about.
My girlfriend and I recently tried to buy a house, and it was scary, confusing and nearly ended in disaster. All we had to ask for advice was Google and our parents. We had no idea about how the system worked (for anyone in a similar position, then Shelter has a fantastic resource for first-time buyers and much better than the directgov website).
So, Mr Ed Balls, instead of worrying about SATs tests why not make everyone more empowered and informed on really important things like finance by introducing some ‘life lessons’ in options like general studies at A-level. Then hopefully we won’t end up here again.
On a communications note there is surely the need for creating a fantastic government resource with practical advice for young people about things that ‘will soon matter’. The web is our natural playground, so give me the advice to my inbox at the time of my choosing. Don’t make me go to a citizens advice bureau which is only open from 9.15 AM – 3 PM (I have to work full-time remember, I’m debt-ridden and pressurised). Why not have a virtual advisor that I can ask questions to from my desk, or text a question to from my mobile? And don’t rely on the private sector to do it for you – I won’t trust their advice, even if I do now own a stake in them as a tax payer.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
You have some valid points Ed, but ultimately people have to learn the hard way.
The main problem is not having the latest communication tools used at their disposal, nor is it not being taught this. How did other generations cope? Easy they learned the hard way and I frankly think we should too.
Its the fact that we have become a ‘throwaway society’, turn our noses up at reusable materials and utlimately waste things and money.
I think there are no lessons for this because its hard to judge what will happen. People can’t have everything on a plate. Lets work for it.
Sorry Ed, but I disagree.
Recessions are inevitable after boom times and this is thanks to estate agents selling houses at ridiculous prices, amongst other elements to the economy that are so vast its impossible to list them all. If land and houses were fixed in price, people wouldn’t be so greedy and estate agents (scum-bags) wouldn’t be charging something that is often treble its worth.
Its hard to summise this in a few paragraphs but ultimately, people need to sit tight, stay at home for a few years. It may suck but there is no point in getting involved in the market when it could sink further.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Steve, you make some valid points as well. I agree, people do need to sit tight but at the same time – if people were buying houses for three times their value, how do they know what the value of the house is? No one tells you at school/college the steps involved in buying a house, the research you can do yourself etc. You’re just thrown out there and expected to know it!