by Tanta on 4/14/2007 03:21:00 PM

Sure, you're going to say it's my fault for ceasing to watch Maria Callas videos and turning to today's newspaper instead.

From my very own local paper, the Washington Post, on the subject of "Kids Get Money-Smart":

It's not only parents who are worried about the temptations young people face -- it's also the financial institutions that will need those children as customers in the future. Banks, investment firms and credit unions are spending an increasing amount of time and money on programs and Web sites that teach kids the ABCs of money management. Both A.G. Edwards and Wells Fargo have recently unveiled online games that allow kids to role play and learn about personal finance and banking.

"They have a cradle-to-grave marketing strategy," said Eli Jones, a marketing professor at the University of Houston and an industry consultant. "If they can create responsible spending and investing at an early age, then they're building a customer for life."

Money-management education is also taking off in the nonprofit realm, as child-focused organizations increasingly stress the importance of financial responsibility. And then there is the growing stream of money-wise DVDs, toys and books -- some aimed at youngsters just out of diapers.

"Most kids, all they know is spending," said Lori Mackey, founder of Prosperity4Kids, which created and sells a system for parents to teach children about saving and investing. "We have to help them understand that when you invest your money, it will be there in the future for you, and it will grow into huge amounts of money. And when you tell them that, they get all excited."

Now, if you will excuse me, there appears to be a crowd of just-potty-trained little tykes somewhere who have not yet learned that nothing worthwhile can be learned about finances unless you buy a financial-education-themed toy first, and since once they've learned that, the excited little beggars are going to be prime candidates--as it were--for an Option ARM someday, I need to invest in them.

You all can just play in the comments. Nicely.