Even though teens and tweens pack a large financial punch, they don't always make the smartest decisions about money. Some markets have come to count on that ignorance in their advertising. For example, take the Rushcard being promoted by celebrity Russell Simmons. This pre-paid debit card charges for things a typical bank card does not charge for:

· Rushcard Activation Fee: $19.95
· Rushcard ATM Cash Withdrawal: $1.95
· Rushcard ATM Balance Inquiry: $.50
· Rushcard Bill Payment: $1.00
· Rushcard Inactivity: $2.95
· Rushcard Refund via Check: $5.00

Some would say this is the price you have to pay for having bad credit. But is it the best possible answer for someone trying to dig themselves out of a financial hole?

If your parents were never taught how to handle their money, there's a good chance you're just as clueless about financial matters. Financial literacy isn't often taught in schools either. Credit, savings, and identity theft generally don't get preference to math, history, and science. Maybe that's why our country is in its current financial crisis.

Take the subject of payday loans. This industry has seen great growth in the past few years. This is despite having astronomical interest rates. It's a huge problem, and teens and young adults leave school without even knowing how to balance a check book, much less understand the value compounded interest.

Even worse, many get credit cards at an early age that are quickly maxed out and never paid off. The huge interest payments on all that money, 20 percent or more, keep them in financial bondage.

Rather than seeing growth on their money, young adults find they are slaves to high interest rates, rather than making money on investments. So, while young people need to learn to read, write, and do math, financial literacy is very important too.

Right now the world has had too much change in too short a period of time. Few economies are truly stable. The best way to take control of your future is to take control of your money. It's not too late to learn what you weren't taught in school.