Making Stupid Mistakes - What Can Parents Do to Help

I just heard about a young man who quit high school. I cannot fathom why any young person in this day and age would do that. Do they not realize that one cannot get a decent job, if any, without an education. A college education is now a requisite for any decent paying job.

I know we all have heard about the successful person who made it without going to college, but they are few and far between. Why would you reduce your chances at success and even a decent life by giving up on education.

The young man I was referring to above, quit school, and is working as a door to door salesman. I wonder if that's what he wants to do for the rest of his life and if he is even making any money. He is also renting a house with his girlfriend. He thought he had it so bad at home. It may have seemed bad, but what about when he has go crawling back to mom and dad because his grand plan did not work out.

Parents do have some responsibility here. They must instill a respect for education in their children. Education alone will not guarantee success of course. They must also instill a good work ethic. Hard work and education also does not guarantee success. Responsibility, a degree of risk taking, self-confidence, creativity, curiosity, integrity among other qualities add to greater odds of achieving success in one's life and career. Too often, I see parents who hold children back by their own failures and inadequacies.

Hope for a better life for your children and help them get there not by giving them financial handouts but by giving them a strong character and mental attitude.

Networking and Friends

I just read an article about how to network and the jist of it seemed to be that if you want to be good at networking, be a good friend. Do things like care about people, help others, listen to what they have to say, find out their interests. It was enlightening and makes me want to do something for all of my friends and colleagues.

By the way, the best time to practice this is when you don't need anything. People can see through you when you are being nice just so you can get something from it. Also, don't pick your friends based on what you think they might do for you in the future. Everyone has their own network of people they know that they could get you in touch with as well as provide valuable lessons and insights. It is even best to not have all the same kind of friends, for instance only ones in your profession. It is good to get other views. Broaden your horizons and mind.

I'm New to Blogger

I'm new to blogging, but want to give it a try. I would like to eventually do some things that would allow me make some money blogging. Please send any comments on what you or others are doing to make money blogging.

I plan to post about making and saving money and other personal finance issues, career and life changes, antiques and collectibles, maybe an occasional commentary in the political area. I know it is kind of diverse, but so are my interests. Do you think it is best to create blogs for different areas of interest?

My story is that I recently left the corporate world to work for a small part time not for profit. I was burnt out by the politics, crazy deadlines, stress, power struggles and drama of the corporate climate I was in. I transitioned to a part time position where I have less stress and less hours so that I have more time to pursue my other interests. I am an accountant by trade, but would eventually like to do some other things. I also have a small antique business on the side and do some accounting contract work. I am happy I made the change but sometimes have pangs about it, like feeling like I am a loser because I left a good paying job for something that is a lot less and feeling isolated from my profession. I also miss friends and the collabortion with my peers. Please let me know if you have made a career change and how you are doing with it.