Is this *really* that common? Oprah...

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Registered: 03-19-2003
Is this *really* that common? Oprah...
14
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 9:45am

I happened to catch the Oprah show with Dave Ramsey on it.

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Avatar for endomagazine
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Registered: 11-09-2004
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 10:21am

Hello,

Personally, I know that me, my brother, and my sister did not get credit cards until we applied for them on our own in college. My sister graduated from high school 2 years ago, so her experience is pretty recent. Store credit cards were not unusual items for some of her friends, but more commonly, her friends had a small checking account and debit card where their allowance would go. Personally, I thought having a checking account and keeping track of spending (without interest worries) was a more responsible way to learn to manage money.

I definitely learned that credit cards could be seductive, especially since credit card tables were set up in the student center during orientation week. "Sign up and get a free t-shirt" and other such offers were common.

Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke

Got Dot? Why Not? It Pays!
http://www.website.ws/runsamok/show

Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke

Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2005
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 10:22am
I didn't catch the Oprah show, but I have a 15-yr-old daughter, and she definitely does not have a credit card. I don't know of any of her friends that do either. I had enough problems with credit on my own, and I wouldn't dream of giving my child one without any responsibility of paying for it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 11:13am

My kids are 14 and 12. I couldn't imagine even in a few years, them having a credit card.
They know the reason they can't the "things" they want is because we have to much credit card debt.

I have taken all cards(major and store) out of my wallet, so there is no chance of using it.

Dana

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2002
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 11:13am

My jaw is still on the floor. I am in my twenties now, but when I was 18 I had alot of credit cards but they were all in my name only. I worked 20 hours a week while in high school (since the week I was 16) and bought my own clothes, contact lenses, makeup, etc. My parents didn't have money and even if they did, they raised us with values as I am sure many people here have been raised and how their own children are being raised. (my credit was outstanding until after college! Not anymore though)

These sound like spoiled kids but the problem is the parents are without backbones and enabling them. They are teaching them to keep up with their friends. The first thing I would do is have a family outing to the soup kitchen and have the whole family volunteer on the next holiday dishing out food to the homeless. Seriously. Wow.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2001
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 11:14am

In general, I regard Oprah as completely clueless about anything to do with real life.

In fact, she's been known to represent urban legend as fact...and by doing so, in one case, the urban legend became self-fulfilling prophecy because kids heard about it and said, hey, let's do that!

Oprah (IMO) should be banned from the air.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 11:35am

Is it *really* that common for 16-17 year olds to basically have *that* much freedom (or LIMIT even - I know when I did get mine, I think my limit was about $600) with a credit card that basically you could go out to eat to lunch every day and charge it (or charge Starbucks or shop at Macy's?????).

In their neck of the woods I believe it is commonplace. I also believe the mother when she said all their friends live like this. Did you see their house? It looked to me like they are from a well-to-do area--I'm not saying this is what SHOULD be going on by any stretch. I don't think I've ever spent $300 on clothes for myself in one year let alone one month. I think they are definately in the keep up w/ the Joneses' neighborhood.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 11:56am

in one case, the urban legend became self-fulfilling prophecy because kids heard about it and said, hey, let's do that!

I'm not sure I follow......what are you referring to?

In general, I regard Oprah as completely clueless about anything to do with real life.

Well, I wouldn't say clueless. Before she came into her $$ and her current lifestyle--she was one of us. In fact, she was dirt poor--no toliet,etc. I'm not sure it's fair to call her clueless as I'm sure anyone whose been broke/dirt poor will tell you that they don't forget those times. We are pretty comfortable but still late at night, I'll have a mini panic attack wondering which utility bill is past due and I didn't pay and if they'll shut it off in the morning. Now, that hasn't ever happened but I remember the anxiety that comes with "I hope they don't shut me off before payday" and still get those feelings--even knowing that all are paid to date. I think she remembers being broke and knows overindulgence when she sees it. She'll even say she's able to overindulge herself and in this case, we all know the $$ is there to back it up. But, I bet she's saved a penny or two also.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2001
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 12:22pm

The urban legend that Oprah promoted as fact was the "Rainbow Party".

And while Oprah *may* have been dirt poor at one time, she *is* clueless about real life now and I don't think she has a geniune appreciation for what she has because she really didn't have to work to get it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 12:45pm

the "Rainbow Party".

Sorry that doesn't help--I still don't know what you're talking about.

And while Oprah *may* have been dirt poor at one time, she *is* clueless about real life now

A little of course, she has a lavish lifestyle which she can afford. A small % of the US population can afford to live that way. Plus the whole celebrity issue so I'm sure that affects her view of the world a little bit.

and I don't think she has a geniune appreciation for what she has because she really didn't have to work to get it.

Totally disagree......I doubt you've watched the show much. She very much is in a position to appreciate what she has EARNED and the finer things which she PAYS for--she's also able to appreciate the fact that most people don't live this way and cannot even afford to put food on the table--she is very generous w/ her good fortune. Did she work to get it? Well, YES. But not in the physical laborous way which you are probably referring to--most high profile people don't do 'slave labor' and make that kind of $$. Our society rewards celebrity,etc so you can't really blame her for taking a paycheck for what she is paid to do. Society dictates what she is/has been paid---is she overpaid--of course, just like NBA players, etc. When we stop worshipping the celebrity status the pay rate will go down. Sorry didn't mean to get a social issue involved here but that's where my response lead me. Just think you are misguided in your thinking about Oprah and so you know I don't worship her but can respect someone who lives responsibly w/ their good fortune and gives some of it away.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2005
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 3:11pm
I certainly didn't have access to credit cards when I was in high school. While it may not be "common", it isn't exactly uncommon. We had custody of a teen relative recently (she's not here any longer) and my stomache would turn whenever she made a rich new friend. While most of her friends didn't live that lifestyle, many of them strived to and a few did.

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