Salukigirl - your parents raised you the right way. Even if I won the lottery, I don't want my children to feel they're entitled to get everything they want and i don't think thiink it's good to always be instantly gratified all the time.

I was watching Good Morning America and the topic was - should teenagers be allowed to use a credit card or debit card. My first reaction was "no" from my husbands own recklass use of them. But then they started to explain that you can get them a card with limits and one where you have to pay the balance every month, like American Express. They said it's important they pay off the balance themselves and sit down with a parent to discuss the statement and balance their bank account. So I changed my mind near the end of the show, that it's a good idea to give them a low limit card to teach them, how to use it properly. I think they should teach finances and relationship communication in schools.

I think the mistake is having credit cards and not knowing how to handle them. I think it's extremely important parents teach their kids how to handle finances, like your parents did for you. I don't think your BF's parents are doing him a favour paying for his insurance and cell phone. When you get married I don't think his parents will continue this and then you'll be the only one who knows how to balance your budget. He'll need to learn how to cut down his spending and you'll have to be on his back about it.