Credit, “My Super Sweet 16” and the Price of Consumerism

Credit cards are prominent fixtures on MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16.”

The show chronicles the ups and downs leading to a girl’s 16th birthday party, which is typically lavish. Oftentimes, the girls come from affluent backgrounds. The pampered gals bat their eyes while asking for earrings or clothing worth thousands of dollars. The camera pans to the parent swiping a credit card.

But what kind of message does it send? The message can be especially misleading to teens and children. Nothing is wrong with parents providing extra gifts for their children. However, a lifelong lesson in financial responsibility will serve the teen better than a brand-new BMW. On “My Super Sweet 16,” money is spent on a fantastic venue, top-notch entertainment and other perks. Thousands of dollars are spent on just one night of fun.

When people are getting everything they want as teens, they may have a hard time adjusting to a reduced standard of living as an adult. Perhaps, their spouses don’t make as much money as their parents. They may rely on credit to keep up their standard of living, possibly destroying their marriage because of arguments about finances.

Most people’s lives are not as they are on “My Super Sweet 16.” Parents can offer their children tips to serve them well in the future.

• Make your teen establish a weekly or monthly budget with his or her allowance.
• Encourage your teen to save for certain items, like a car, clothes or a video game.
• Resist the urge to give them a credit card. Credit cards should only be used for emergencies and teens may be too young to understand that concept.

Today’s teen should study the economic plight of past generations. For example, the ravages of the Great Depression left little for material items, which today seems to be tied to self-worth. People who survived the Great Depression learned the value of hard work and saving money. Items were conserved for use over and over again.

What you wear and what you drive shouldn’t define you as a person. But that’s not the message being sent today. People lined up around the country recently to purchase the iPhone. Car dealers bombard you with advertisements to upgrade your vehicle. Frugality isn’t chic, after all.

If you are in financial trouble because of overspending, you can get help. You can lower your credit card debt and learn how to keep budget properly. Budgeting and saving money isn’t sexy enough to be packaged and sold through the airwaves. But it will help you in the long run.

Author bio: Brian Williams, a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, has 11 years’ experience writing and editing at daily newspapers in Texas. Learn more about Credit Solutions. Credit Solutions is your alternative to debt consolidation.