"In this country, we expect people to know how to read and know how to write, and they spend 12 years of school learning that, or more," John says. "They become an adult, and we expect them to be financially literate, but there is no training, and the information they get is typically coming from a source that doesn't have their best interests in mind," like a credit card company or advertiser pushing a product.

"We expect people to just somehow have this chromosome that says, 'You're financially literate.' It's not there. ... Financial literacy is something we have to train ourselves to, and parents have to do it, too."

I edit stories on financial topics every workday, and I feel like I'm still not setting the best example of financial management for my children. But I'm going to keep trying, and I hope other parents out there will, too. We can all improve. If you have some tips on teaching children about money, please send them to me. I'd love to share.

Or, if you have financial questions, please send those, too. You can reach me by e-mail at gkratz@desnews.com or by regular mail at the Deseret Morning News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.

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E-mail: gkratz@desnews.com