Ask a college freshman what he or she is excited about, and the list might range from the lack of a curfew (宵禁) to the unlimited dining hall pizza. What is likely not on the list? Learning how to make smart financial decisions. And that's too bad, say experts, as that's exactly what all students need to focus on.Millennials (千禧一代) are not very savvy (精通的) about money. In fact, a recent study, which surveyed 42,000 college freshmen across the U.S., found that since 2012 students are less likely to follow a budget, pay credit card bills on time or buy only the things they need."Most of these kids come from homes whose parents don't possess any kind of plan for the money except planning their next vacation or doing Christmas." says Jim Chilton, CEO of the non-profit Society for Financial Awareness. "When these young folks hit college, it's a wave of indecision... as they punch in quickly Mommy and Daddy's cell numbers to find out how they're going to get by."Millennials know they're in for some pain. They face higher levels of a student loan debt—two-thirds of recent bachelor's degree recipients have outstanding student loans, with an average debt of about 27 ,000 , 15,000 two decades ago—and face lower levels of wealth and personal income than Baby Boomers at the same stage in their lives, according to a reportSo parents should talk to their children about finances—and the sooner the better. The choices they make can affect their lives for years to come, so it's critical that they make informed ones. For starters, teach them how to budget, explain the complicated details of having and using a credit card, and encourage them to ask if their college offers a financial literacy course.Many Millennials aren't as financially savvy as they'd like to be—mainly because no one has ever taught them about personal finances. It's never too early to start.

Ask a college freshman what he or she is excited about, and the list might range from the lack of a curfew (宵禁) to the unlimited dining hall pizza. What is likely not on the list? Learning how to make smart financial decisions. And that's too bad, say experts, as that's exactly what all students need to focus on.
Millennials (千禧一代) are not very savvy (精通的) about money. In fact, a recent study, which surveyed 42,000 college freshmen across the U.S., found that since 2012 students are less likely to follow a budget, pay credit card bills on time or buy only the things they need.
"Most of these kids come from homes whose parents don't possess any kind of plan for the money except planning their next vacation or doing Christmas." says Jim Chilton, CEO of the non-profit Society for Financial Awareness. "When these young folks hit college, it's a wave of indecision... as they punch in quickly Mommy and Daddy's cell numbers to find out how they're going to get by."
Millennials know they're in for some pain. They face higher levels of a student loan debt—two-thirds of recent bachelor's degree recipients have outstanding student loans, with an average debt of about 15,000 two decades ago—and face lower levels of wealth and personal income than Baby Boomers at the same stage in their lives, according to a report
So parents should talk to their children about finances—and the sooner the better. The choices they make can affect their lives for years to come, so it's critical that they make informed ones. For starters, teach them how to budget, explain the complicated details of having and using a credit card, and encourage them to ask if their college offers a financial literacy course.
Many Millennials aren't as financially savvy as they'd like to be—mainly because no one has ever taught them about personal finances. It's never too early to start.