The Saturday Weekend Review #50: Should rich kids get off easy in the legal system?

BEING RICH MAY MEAN POWER BUT NOT LOVE

 

I don’t know what it’s like to be rich with money but I do know what it’s like to be rich in love having both my parents teaching me right from wrong.

Drinking and driving is a huge problem all over the world and sometimes we have to learn the hard way even if it means we lose our own lives from the silly decisions we make or end up behind bars for taking someone else’s life.

I was reading a Yahoo article about a rich kid (well he has rich parents) from Texas who was drinking and driving with blood levels 3 times the legal limit (yes 3 ) who killed 4 people and injured 9 who were on the side of the road helping another motorist. The defense for his case said it was due to ‘Affluenza’ and so the teenager was only given probation.

What is affluenza you are asking? Good question…..they say it’s the failure of his parents to set boundaries for him. So in other words they are not that great at parenting.

Affluenza, a portmanteau of affluence and influenza, is a term used by critics of consumerism. The book Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic defines it as “a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more”.

The rehab center where he will be going to is more like a spa for the rich at $1200 a day with sports, yoga and massage and the people are upset that the judge obviously agrees with the defense that since he’s gotten off in the past there was no reason for harsh punishment this time around.

He’s a teenager and the only lesson that he has been taught is that if he messes up his rich parents influence may get him out of anything he shouldn’t have been doing. Being wealthy seems to have gotten him his ticket to luxury whilst learning his lesson about why drinking and driving is bad and the lives he’s claimed because of it.

Sometimes children of rich parents go hog-wild while the parents are off busy doing what they do to get rich and forget about their family. This teenager was given whatever he wanted, did what he wanted and raised himself according to his psychologist. I’m not shocked one bit but another reason why work life balance is so important.

Money can make people greedy and they keep wanting more and more and sometimes life falls by the waist and it’s only when something goes wrong they try to pay it off to make it go away.

Remember the movie, Remember Me starring Robert Pattinson… another case of rich kids parents coming to the rescue but forgetting about love and lessons along the way until it’s too late. You only have to look at the rich kids of Instagram to see how out of control many of them are.

They say this is a better fit for the child because they will be able to watch him over the next 7 years and if he breaks his probation that he will be sentenced to 10 years in jail.

The parents wealth seems to be from the facts shielding him from the harsh punishment that should be a reality kick for this kid.

Sometimes people don’t learn unless they learn the hard way. I’m betting the kid is breathing a sigh of relief he practically got out of this one but will her learn, likely not.

Whether it’s the parents spoiling children or in this case allowing them pretty much a slap on the wrist only shows society how flawed the system truly is.

How would this case have turned out if he was from a poor family? I’m betting different because money talks and how far the money took this case no one will really know but what is obvious is that this child is getting off pretty easy for his actions.

I’m not a parent and I don’t envy parents because it’s a tough role but what I do know is that if we teach our children wrong from right and instill values in them they might be less likely to do things that land them behind bars.

I’m not saying that’s always the case but not teaching them anything may have even worse consequences for them. I also don’t know if this would have had the same ending if in a Canadian court of law but either way kids need to learn and sometimes it may be the tough way, rich or poor… we are all human.

Do you think having rich parents influenced the judges final decision?

How do you teach your children right from wrong?

 

Canadian Budget Binder this week

 

If you missed any of my posts from the week here is the list of posts you can catch up on reading!

• How to purchase the right home appliance the first time?
• November 2013 Net Worth update (+1.35%) The end of year clock is ticking
• The grocery game challenge Dec 9-15: How not to miss in-store weekly specials and deals
• How to get what you pay for when buying online
• Sticky honey cream roulade with stuffed raspberries and cranberry
• PF Weekly Grab a Brew #50: Do you get a Christmas bonus or do you rely on a budget?

 

CBB at home and the blog

 

This past week has been so busy for me with training and being back at school for it has found me studying again and doing more testing. When you work in a role with constant change it’s imperative that you are educated on the best technology around and that is my life I’m afraid but I love what I do.

This next week I am off and away again for a couple of days so I’ve been busy prepping the blog and finishing up loose ends here for Christmas. All we really have left to do is bake which really isn’t baking it’s just making our festive holiday balls that we make every year.  You can find all of my recipes in my recipe index that I will be making such as peanut butter balls, coconut balls and snow balls.

The snow has been coming down the past few days so shovelling has now been factored in to my time. It’s amazing how some people forget to factor in the winter warm up the car and shovel before you leave regime. Although we have a double garage and I park both vehicles inside I still have to get up earlier in the morning to shovel so those people using the path have ease of walking in less than optimal conditions.

I’m currently accepting a couple of guest posts from personal finance blogs only. If you think you’ve got what it takes to write a minimum 1000 word blog post shoot me an email and lets chat.

 

Fan deals and inspirations 

 

Submit your Brag or Inspiration

If you have a brag that you want me to share email me at canadianbudgetbinder (@) [yahoo] [.ca] or fill out my contact form by Friday each week to have your brag considered for the Saturday post.

The holiday season is upon us and as we know there are families all around us who struggle and food banks and other organizations are always looking for donations. Coupons have helped many people that we know to donate so much to these organizations who in turn help those in need.

It warms my heart when I see how people open up their wallets and their stockpiles to give to the less fortunate. I know that anyone who needs to use these services are touched by the generosity of those who give and want to help out.

This Christmas if you can give what you can to help someone or make someone smile take that opportunity, giving is an amazing feeling inside.

If you want to start using coupons or learn more about where to order Canadian coupons I have all the resources here for you at Canadian Budget Binder from some of the hottest coupon and savings websites in Canada.

• Where can I find Canadian Coupons?

Learning about saving money in your grocery budget using coupons, finding deals and learning about rewards points, scanning code of practice etc are all tools that you should know about.

You can read all you need to know in my grocery game challenge post every Tuesday where I share some of the hottest blog posts for savings in Canada.

 

Christmas donations

 

Every year at my work staff identify families in our own school that are “in need” to help out for Christmas. Each department usually takes a family or two to buy for and everyone tries to contribute.

Because I am a couponer I choose to donate items rather than money as it is better for my budget. I can donate hundreds of dollars worth of items for next to nothing. The products I donate go to whichever families need them the most.

I save items that I purchase through the year with coupons for free or nearly free, 50% pink sticker items, or free samples mailed to me in a large box to donate at the end of the year.

I also ask my dentist every year if he has anything to donate as they always seem to have samples for their patients.

This year he was able to contribute over 30 small tubes of Crest Pro Health, over 10 tubes of Pronamel for children, approx. 12 children’s and 15 adults toothbrushes.

Pictured is what I was able to donate for the 2013 year. Missing from the picture is two boxes of All Bran cereal.

I feel good being able to contribute to this every year as it helps a great number of people out and I can easily incorporate it into my budget.

 

Making a difference

 

Making a difference is a part of this post where I share a personal finance blog that I interact with daily and has made a difference in my life.

I have asked the blogger to introduce themselves, their blog and how they want to make a difference with their blog for the fans and for themselves.

Today, I bring you my good friends from 2 Copper Coins. If you would like to be featured please contact me today.

Hello, my name is Krista and my husband Jon and I started 2 Copper Coins, we are thrilled to be featured by Canadian Budget Binder.

We started our blog after realizing some of the challenges facing our peers in similar vocations. Jon and I hope to build careers in helping professions working for non-profit organizations.

We realized those headed for lives of service were falling victim to the fallacy that low income is synonymous with an inability to save, pay off debt, live comfortably and be generous.

Knowing this was not true we brainstormed ways we could share our belief that anyone can live simply and secure their financial future if they’re willing to put in a little effort. From this conversation 2 Copper Coins was born.

The title 2 Copper Coins comes from the biblical story in which a wealthy man puts his money into the offering coffer at the Synagogue and impresses those around him with his generosity.

A poor woman follows him with just two small copper coins, placing them in the same coffer. Christ points out to those snickering nearby that this woman made a greater sacrifice, for these two coins were all she had.

There are obvious connections to this story and our belief in generosity. We also feel it’s important to remain open about your finances with those around you as both a way to release the idea that your income reflects your value and as a way to invite your community into your financial journey.

What we hope to offer our readers is both the invitation and the support needed to be generous with our income. Whether we’re making ‘pennies’ or millions, we have a lot (financially and otherwise) to offer the greater community and we should never let uninformed financial decisions hinder that contribution.

If this sounds like a conversation you would like to join, please swing on over to 2 Copper Coins and share with us.

The more diverse our audience the richer the conversation becomes.

-Krista

 

Blog post sharing

 

I really appreciate when other blog owners recognize my hard work at Canadian Budget Binder and share my posts with their fans or even mention my blog on their blog or website.

Here are the blogs that did just that this past week, so please head over and check them out. If I’m missing you it’s because I didn’t get a ping back so please send me an email and I’ll add you next Saturday.

• My Own Advisor
• Staying on Budget
• Suburban Finance
• The Frugal Farmer

 

What is a blog carnival?

 

Some fans have asked me just what is a blog carnival so a little explanation is due here for anyone reading for the first time or for my long-time fans. A blog carnival is where a blog or website hosts what we call a carnival of blog posts from around the web.

Most blog carnivals have a theme and certain rules for submitting which must be followed. If you are a blogger and would like to learn what blog carnival directories I submit to each week you can find the information in a previous Saturday Weekend Review post that I wrote.

 

Carnival Glory

 

A big thanks to these pages for accepting my blog posts and sharing them in the following carnivals………..

• Aspiring Blogger Finance Carnival #21
• Carnival of Money Pros – Bite the Bullet Investing
• Yakeezie Carnival– Fat Guy Skinny Wallet
• Financial Carnival for Young Adults-Fitnancials
• Carnival of Financial Planning- Frugal Rules

 

Every week I get thousands of people visit Canadian Budget Binder because they did a search online and found my blog. Here are a few of my favorite searches that may have even brought you here and you’re reading this, right now.

• smarter, better looking, richer- bla bla bla
• budget losers – haha.. so harsh
• do you need to wait to put ornaments on a tree until after you put it up-  I’m probably still laughing at this one
• you don’t need people- well i disagree but to each their own

Are You New To Canadian Budget Binder?

• Follow Me on Social Media:  Twitter, Facebook , Pinterest and Google+
• Check out my new Free Recipe Index
• If you like FREE then click this link for my FREE Excel Budget Spreadsheet and all my Free Money Saving Lists!

 

Related articles

• The Saturday Weekend Review #45: Outrageous online pricing deals gone wrong
• The Saturday Weekend Review #46:Gay lifestyle lands no tip from customer
• The Saturday Weekend Review #47: How two children share their views about rip-off prices for used toys
• The Saturday Weekend Review #48: How your name can affect your salary
• The Saturday Weekend Review #49: Managing the kids Christmas list

Photo credit: “Cash In Hand” by James Barker freedigitalphotos. net

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