It was only about 4 years ago that I was a teenager and never really thought too much about how my driving affected others. With technology on the rise and touch phones such as the iPhone becoming increasingly popular, teens are spending more time paying attention to anything BUT the road.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to single out the teenage population as many other generations have fallen prey to distractions while driving as well (smoking, eating, multi-tasking, texting, etc.). But in my opinion, it is best to target a population before the bad habits continue even further.

The statistics for teen driving are extremely scary and there has to be a way for parents and others to correct the path of destruction before it gets any worse. According to AAA, car accidents involving 15-17 year old drivers cost society more than $34 billion dollars! These expenses include medical and property damages as well as other related costs for 2006 alone!

So, how can you keep your children and others safe?

Here are a few tips:

SET AN EXAMPLE – Don’t show your kids what it is like to drive by e-mailing on your Blackberry or always being on the phone. Teens will learn quickly from what they have seen their parents or other family members and friends do.

SEATBELTS – I know that when I was younger I hated my seatbelt and didn’t really truly understand what it was there for. Explain to your children when they are young the importance of seatbelts and how they can be life-saving. Hopefully it will become a routine they don’t even have to think about. I automatically put on my seatbelt regardless of how long the trip.

INSURANCE - Car insurance is expensive no matter what. Put a teen behind the wheel and the price can skyrocket your rathes…sometimes by 50% - 100%! You don’t want to have to pay higher rates just because your teen is not being safe or smart behind the wheel. Make a deal with your teenager. Make sure they are following all your rules before you hand them those keys to your car! Give them the information they need to keep their insurance rates low. Some of these things include having a safer car, keeping your driving record clean (no tickets or accidents), or even doing well in school! Depending on your policy, your child could be awarded just for being a good student.

DRIVERS TRAINING CLASSES – There are tons of extra classes outside of the basic drivers education that offer teens a greater variety of learning such as driving in the rain, sleet, and snow. Skills such as what to do if you are broken down on the side of the road are also often taught. These classes can range anywhere from $60-$200 but may be extremely beneficial.

CURFEWS – In some towns there is a mandatory curfew and teens are not allowed to be out driving around past 10:00pm. However, even if your town does not have a curfew, often times it would be best if your teen had to be home at a certain hour so you knew where they were. I suggest letting them know that they can bring their friends home too (if it is feasible for you). This way they aren’t all driving around doing nothing. I know when I was in high school if we couldn’t find anything to do we would just drive around with our friends. Now that I look back on it?…How dumb and a huge waste of gas!! Make sure your teens have a trip with an actual purpose in mind.

TALK – Don’t just hand your teen the key to the car as soon as they get their license. Lay down the ground rules and make sure they understand. Tell them not to become another statistic. Maybe read them some of these…

• In a survey conducted for AAA, it was found that 15-17 year olds were involved in about 974,000 crashes that injured 406,427 people and killed 2,541 in one year alone (SCARY)!

Reader’s Digest reported some more surprising statistics:

• 87% of teen deaths involve distracted drivers (this includes radios, eating, texting, talking on your cell, etc.).
• Adding 1 passenger increases the fatal crash risk by 48%. A second passenger increases the fatality risk by 158%.
• Speeding is a factor in 35% of crash deaths involving young drivers.

All of these statistics are really scary and get you thinking about what you might be able to do to prevent this from happening. Obviously you aren’t going to have complete control over what happens…but at least you can take a step towards making things safer on the roads.

Photo: Wally Irwin

Related Articles:
Driving Costs Add Up
How to Save on Gas with the Internet
Some Surprising Ways to Use GPS to Save
How to Save on Car Insurance

By Chelsea P. Gladden

Co-workers Christian and Bobbi first bonded over their mutual tragedies. Bobbi had lost her father unexpectedly and Christian had survived a car crash that left his wife and 7-month-old daughter dead and his three-year-old son with brain damage. Having one another during their grief proved invaluable.

Eventually, the two fell in love and were married. Bobbi started working part time from home to help care for her stepson Austin who, in addition to brain damage, had autism. The Snows soon wanted to add to their family and were given the gift of their son Josh. It wasn’t long after his birth that they were then pregnant with Blake.

During this second pregnancy in 2006, the family was told that Josh had autism. While the news is devastating for any parent, they were ready to do all that it takes to get Josh the treatment he would need.

While tending to sessions for both sons, their third was eventually also diagnosed. Their strength of character kept them strong as they moved forward with the cards they were dealt.

Working closely with ABA, a form of therapy that has helped children overcome Autism, the future looked bright and the two younger boys were looking likely to enroll in kindergarten and live Autistic free lives.

However, in March, the Regional Center, which funds children with disabilities, inexplicably stopped covering treatment for Josh. Bobbi and Christian have been faced with an $11,000 a month bill in order to continue the treatment– which stands a much better chance the earlier age its received — that has shown vast promise for curing Josh.

Clearly, saving for the unknown is always a good idea but no family could ever anticipate a sudden $11,000 a month bill that could change the course of their son’s life. I chose to write about it because I had just received a moving email from Christian describing their plight. Bobbi and Christian are one of the nicest couples I have ever met and Bobbi is my amazing sister-in-law’s sister.

Their courageousness in the face of adversity has reminded me that there’s more to saving up for a new car, house or paying off the credit card debt, but instead to set aside in my Geezeo budget a fund to contribute to people in need of services you can’t put a price on.

Want to join the discussion on savings? Visit It’s It’s Time to Budget and Couples & Money. To learn more about the Snow family, visit: http://www.fightagainstautism.com
And get creative with your money making. Visit The Top Ten Most Searched Stocks on TheStreet.com.

Quick: think of the five people with whom you spend the most time. Got your five? Good.

They say your net worth reflects the average to your five closest friends. Your friends will tend to have similar financial situations and outlooks as you. Change your friends and you’ll change your financial outlook and behavior… and possibly your net worth.

That’s in part because we tend to associate with people of similar socio-economic and educational backgrounds. It’s comfortable and familiar. Alternatively, maybe it’s because statistically you spend a lot of time from people at your job or in your field.

But it could also be because most of us react to the subtle pressures to fit into a particular group. We aim a little high to fit in, or, aim a little low. This includes how and why we spend our money.

Recently I became friendly with someone and it got me thinking about friendships across “economic divides”. Not divides that exist between countries but divides here in the United States. My new buddy’s economic outlook is staggeringly different. Could we be friends? Would it even be wise to be friends? Here’s what happened.

My new friend happens to be a high-school dropout, single mother on welfare. A common creative interest brought us together and I enjoy her company. Being a high-school dropout, single mother, or welfare recipient doesn’t automatically condemn you to a certain economic class. We’ve all heard of the CEOs who rose from similar hard-scrabble beginnings.

But being these things sure does make it harder to escape a particular economic point-of-view. What was missing in this case wasn’t talent or ability. It was the vision to see any other way of life.

How do you change your view? You change your friends. Sounds deceptively easy.

For example: yesterday my new friend told me that in order to keep health and other benefits for her child she can only earn $300 a month. (!) My internal, judging reaction was: “What can you do with $300 a month? Get yourself some education and a job!” I realized after the conversation how much I had minimized about my own (economically-generated) experiences, interests, and spending in an attempt to make her feel comfortable.

Is it wise to downplay ones own achievements or aspirations to fit in or be polite? I think not…

Yet: I’ve experienced instances where my self-described “middle class” aspirations are seen in much the same light. I’ve had friendships wherein my economically-different friends view my choices and behaviors as similarly lacking vision. I’ve seen wealthier friends do exactly the same down-shifting with me.

Isn’t it just easier to hang out with people who are a lot like you? Have you had experiences with friendships economically very different than your own situation?

Geezeo is a place where you can choose online friends who share your economic goals. As my parents advised: “Choose your friends wisely, because you end up just like them…”

I have always heard, that in order for us, as adults, to be able to truly enjoy life, we have to make sacrifices - sometimes, to our future.

And then there is the flip side, you have to sacrifice your current life to be successful, build wealth, and be comfortable when you are older - with the possibility of retiring when you are still young enough to enjoy it!

Is there ever a balance? Can’t we do both? Of course! But that in itself is a lifestyle change.

You need to rediscover what is most important in your life, and make a new list of priorities. Most of the time, when you do, you will discover that most of those things don’t cost a lot of money. Here is some of my list: Playing with my boys - regardless of where, enjoying peaceful time reading a good book, drinking some lemonade, or taking my dog for a walk. Those things cost little to nothing for me to do.

To go along with the above, we have to remember that people are what’s most important, not things. My focus from my list above includes doing things with my kids, having time for myself, and enjoying time with my pet. If we focus too much on the things we get for ourselves or the people in our lives, then we will definitely spend a lot of money.

Splurge - only sometimes. If you can force yourself to wait for something that you don’t really need, sometimes you will realize that you no longer want the item anyways. But remember that it is okay to treat yourself some of the time.

Slow down! If you look at how fast time goes by, you will realize that you need to really determine what things are most important. For me, I’ve realized how quickly the last three years have gone by. My boys are getting older every day. And it won’t be long until the oldest is in school. I won’t be able to spend as much time with him and so I need to make sure I am setting aside time now! He won’t remember most of the toys we have bought him over the last few years. But he will remember the time we spent together. And that really is priceless!

Utilize Geezeo to help get yourself on a course that allows you to be happy and content, now and in the future! Go ahead and set some goals so you can have a plan to make it all work!

How many times have you moved? How do you prepare financially?

I haven’t actually counted them all but I’m guessing 25, or, roughly one a year. Why so much? As a kid my father was in the military, then in a career that moved us. But, the majority of these moves have been my decision during college and after graduation. In other words, smaller moves across town. In the large cities I’ve moved thanks to roommate changes, housing changes, job changes, life changes. In a few days I’ll move from New York City to a rural town.

Many consider moving to be symptomatic of an unstable financial life. This may be true for some. Still, if you’re apt to stay “like a rolling stone” (either one that gathers no moss, or one that keeps rock’n), here are some tips to make the move easier and keep your wallet in check.

Note: most of these are for small households — moving is easier with fewer people and less stuff.

1. Expect the unexpected. Budget time and well as a little cushion for things you didn’t expect. Some examples might be cleaning supplies you want when you move in, or cash to order in pizza when you’re tired and haven’t unpacked your kitchen stuff. (Geezeo’s mobile phone feature keeps you connected your bank balances while you move. Check it out.)

2. Pay for as much as possible in advance. Moving trucks are cheaper on Mondays, for example. Hiring a professional moving team is some of the best money spent in my opinion.

3. Transfer or close accounts to prevent late fees or other fees. Your mail will be delayed. You’ll be thinking about other things. Don’t let the “small things” fall through the cracks so that you end up getting “dinged”. Update your address — particularly with your outstanding creditors! While you might feel you deserve a break from their reach you’ll be sorry to discover late fees if you didn’t update your address.

4. Plan ahead and move yourself (if possible). I realize this option isn’t for everyone but the fittest and thriftiest. If you move yourself make sure to be realistic about the time involved. You don’t want to be laid up in bed and away from work your first few days at the new location.

5. Talk to local shops for packing material (if moving yourself). Who wants to pay for boxes? Sometimes you must in order to get a clean box. However, the best source of boxes I found in the city were empty “Fresh Direct” boxes. They stack nicely and are very clean.

6. Hire your friends to help you move (if moving yourself). A nice meal after the van is packed is a good way to keep your moving expenses in check and spend some time with your friends before you leave. You’ll miss them more than anything else!

Related, check out our interview with an actor who moved across the country and what financial issues he discovered.

Think back to when you were a young child living at home with your parents. You were able to observe how they did things, what worked, what didn’t. Think of all the things you have been through since you have been on your own as well. All these things have a direct impact on the person you have turned out to be right now. And surprise, it will continue to be that way!

Financially speaking, these experiences could be both positive and/or negative. Positive ones, you should keep, bring forward into your life and continue to use them. However, what should you do with the negative ones? They can be used too, so don’t throw them away just yet. Why not? Well, these negative experiences show you what not to do. So hopfully you won’t make that mistake in the future.

Knowing what influenced you when you were younger will help you out. You will know if these things are good or bad and what you should do with them.

One way to find out how much you were influenced by the past is to sit down and think about these questions:

~What messages or “sayings” about money did you hear from your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other important people in your life?

~How has your attitude about money changed from your childhood, and even in the last 3-5 years?

Use your experience and knowledge to the benefit of others, or ask for some advice yourself, in groups such as It’s Time To Budget and 20 Something, Money Nothing.

I am currently a senior at Boston University and I feel like my money just keeps walking out the door! Not only am I in a little bit of a “senior slump” so to speak (finding it hard to do any type of school work), but I am also spending more money than I have in previous years!

With Spring Break just around 2 weeks away here at BU, I’m finding it necessary to buy a new wardrobe. Now, I’m telling you that if you saw my closet as it currently is…you would agree with everyone else in my life that I don’t need any new clothes! But, I believe in “seasonal depression” and when I walk into all the stores that have all the bright colored spring clothing lines in and with the snow still falling outside…I can’t help but spend my money! I mean everyone needs a little pick me up right?

So, with a new closet and still being in my little “senior slump” I am also finding it hard to say “NO!”…and instead everytime I might even think about saying “No” a “Yes” comes out of my mouth instead. So when my friends are going out and I really don’t feel like spending the money, I go against my gut and go out anyways! I mean nobody wants to be left out…especially not their senior year of college! Don’t get me wrong…I love going out — but at the same time all my money lately has gone towards take-out, going to restaurants, drinks at bars, and cab rides! That being said, my weekends are filled with a lot of great memories to take with me!

Even as I complain about spending this money, I realize now that I just can’t stop (ok, so thats an exaggeration…I could stop if I REALLY tried, but I’m not sure I want to). I mean this is what I saved some of my money for right? The Spring Break trips, the going out on the weekends. And I am one out of two of all of my group of friends that has a job!…and I’m special because I hold two jobs! So, although I may be spending just as much as everyone else, I am also bringing in some money which is keeping my bank account from disappearing completely.

Don’t go around and say that this “Hannah girl” said it was okay to spend all my money! Because thats not what I’m saying at all. Just don’t let money control your life. I think that I have come to the realization that this is probably one of the last times that I will get to spend my money like this…and have so much free time to do so. So before I reach the real world and get a full-time job, I want to say that I remember having a lot of fun (although I’m hoping that some of this fun will continue on…)!

Also, I am open to any advice that anyone might have for me (from either those that are currently in their own “senior slump”…or those who have been there before…or those that just have any old opinion whatsoever!) :o)

Have you ever thought this? Or wondered why every time you go out to eat with you-know-who the bill, plus tip, comes up short? Or maybe you’ve got another awkward social money moment? This is the book for you.

“Isn’t It Their Turn to Pick Up the Check: Dealing with All of the Trickiest Money Problems Between Family and Friends — from Serial Borrowers to Serious Cheapskates” by Jeanne Fleming and Leonard Schwarz takes a humorous yet helpful turn on what to do about all sorts of problems.

For example (page 90):

We can’t afford to return a favor.
When you need to reciprocate a rich friend’s generous hospitality.

Advises Fleming and Schwarz:

“Stop thinking you can’t reciprocate, because you can. Your obligation is not to treat your friend to something of equal value, but to treat him to something thoughtful that he’ll enjoy…[The] point here is not to that you need to match [his] hospitality dollar for dollar. Rather, it’s the disparity in your resources doesn’t free you from your obligation to entertain [him] as thoughtfully as he’s been entertaining you.”

For me, this book brought up some sticky situations I hadn’t even considered. For example, what do you do if your neighbors intentionally annex part of your property to make theirs look more valuable? Or other neighbors keep their homes such a mess it draws down the value of your own?

More comforting was the realization of how common it is to have great financial disparity between relatives. Turns out it’s pretty common to have rich aunts or poor cousins (or vice-versa) all in the same family. What kind of tension can that bring? How do you handle it? And even if no one likes to talk about it, what happens when one adult sibling makes considerably more or less than the other?

What are your money problems? Confess them publicly or privately in Geezeo’s Money Confessions. Or, write D. Expert, our resident expert on all manner of monetary b.o. His advice stinks but he usually finds the right person to answer your question. Finally, don’t overlook the Geezeo groups — there are a lot of patient ears just waiting to hear your perspective on most things social or financial.