“When it comes to managing money, children get their first lessons at home. According to a new AICPA poll, 68% of American parents give their children an allowance. Most Americans (81%) say that allowances teach children financial responsibility. Children have seen a 16% increase in their hourly rate when factoring in the hours spent on chores.”  I would probably been better off had I been assigned ‘chores’, but it wasn’t to be and since I was an only child, I had absolutely no concept of ‘keeping house’. I was in for a rude awakening and here in my single room, overlooking our rear patio, I have learned to ‘pick up after myself’ or get lost in a maze of detritus. What interests me the most about the AICPA poll is the fact that children have seen an increase in their hourly wage. All us retired folk have only seen costs rise and there isn’t any increase in income, or if there is it isn’t 16%, that’s for sure. From where I sit today,I think that our nation should pinch pennies, too. I also think it would be a good thing to change the locks to the door of every federal office. It certainly couldn’t be any worse. That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.      AMEN