Teenage Consumers

That first love is like a drug. You feel like you can’t live without each other and that the world will be all right if only you can be together. So goes the romantic, often fated, teenage relationship. If you’re new to dating or even blind in love, how can you be sure what you two have is a healthy relationship?

First of all, be aware of what entails an unhealthy or abusive relationship. Abuse doesn’t always mean physical trauma; it comes in the form of name-calling or keeping you away from your friends and family. Recognize the warning signs early and seek help if you can’t break it off by yourself.

Healthy relationships thrive on trust, mutual respect, and equality. To trust someone, they have to be honest with you. This honesty must go both ways to have a trusting relationship. You also need to know that you can count on each other in times of trouble, sadness, or problems that extend beyond the relationship. If one of you is too busy to support the other, it may be time to move on.

Without mutual respect, your boyfriend or girlfriend wouldn’t like you for who you are. Never try to change for someone or be dishonest with yourself if you think it will improve the relationship. This is unhealthy.

At the same time, you need to be aware of the fact that you each have different tastes, different hobbies, and a different set of friends. While every relationship involves compromise, never give up being who you are for someone. Both of you will need your space once in a while.

Learning Financial Responsibility

NEW YORK - MAY 20: In this photo illustration...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Most teenagers are not concerned with personal finance. It only becomes an issue of interest for teens working part-time jobs after school wanting to save money for a car. By the time you enter college, it’s a good bet you’ll be more concerned than ever about your finances.

Making mistakes is a part of learning—they lead to more experience and wisdom, but making financial mistakes isn’t necessary if you’re smart about it. Remember that you don’t always need that expensive accessory or that extra outfit. Fitting in shouldn’t come at a cost of going deep into debt.

Be responsible with credit cards. Try to get in the habit of only spending what you can pay off in a month. Completely paying off your balance monthly will make your credit score skyrocket, making it easier to qualify for bigger things in the future (like a house or new car).

Keep track of the little things. A movie night doesn’t amount to much, but it will if you’re splurging on 3-D features every week. The same goes for buying lunches at work or indulging in a mocha frappe every morning. Figure up how much money you can save every month by avoiding those habits. It doesn’t mean you have to give them up completely—treat yourself only once in a while.

If you need help managing money, don’t be afraid to ask. Seek out advice from relatives or even responsible friends or older siblings. They may offer invaluable insight that can get you back on track in no time.

Are You in a Healthy Relationship?

Learning Financial Responsibility

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