Our society is one where much of the value put on people is because of "stuff." It's really sad, that children and adults alike place so much of their self esteem in what they have and can afford. I LOVE "thrifting" (our term for hitting the thrift shops and seeing what steals we can find.) I recently ran into a friend of mine in one consignment shop, and she hung her head in shame and said that she usually doesn't run into anyone she knows at these places. And here I was on cloud nine because I found brand new mini-blinds in the box for under $3!
Our society is also teaching, if you can't afford it put it on credit. It's obvious that you will be rich later....
I have friends who can't afford their mortgage payment who just bought all new flooring for their house, went on a lavish vacation and bought a new water system... all on credit. Now they can't pay the mortgage bill OR the credit card bills. She calls me, and asks for help putting together a budget, and when I point out she's paying $65 a week to get her house cleaned, she's offended.
She's a stay at home mom with three kids. To her it's a status thing. I'd love to get my house cleaned but I'd rather put that cash into savings and do it myself.
We don't teach our children to save. We teach them to spend.