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When my boys were younger and received a check or two from logistically distant relatives, I said, "Whoa," scooped up the checks, and opened little savings accounts for them.

When they began raking in puberty money -- monies acquired by mowing, babysitting or telling relatives that money would be a great birthday gift -- I said, "Whoa," and we created some ground rules: Checks had to be deposited into the savings account; cash could be used for shopping.

When the boys began singing the free credit report commercial jingles on road trips, I said, "Whoa," and we began discussing how to treat the money they would earn when they got older: While you're living at home, put at least 60 percent of your money in savings; when you head out into the world, put at least 10 percent of your money in savings; and ALWAYS live within your means -- if you don't have the money for it right now, don't buy it.

One of my teens now works regularly. He approached me with what he considered a sizable check and stated firmly yet respectfully, "I want to open a checking account so I can have my own debit card."

"Whoa," I began.

He cut me off with the rest of his request: "I also want to open a savings account and put about 60 percent of this check into it."

We headed to the bank after school. We opened his accounts and he ordered his debit card. While we were completing the paperwork, the bank representative and I expressed the same, stern look as we walked through the process with my son.

ME: "Whoa, you need to read all of this fine print."

BANK REPRESENTATIVE: "Whoa, you need to understand the fees and penalties if you make a mistake with your account."

ME: "Whoa, you better NOT make a mistake -- an overdrawn account affects BOTH your credit scores and mine."

MY SON: "When do I get my debit card?"

ME: "Whoa, I have to do this two more times when his brothers are ready."

Hubby and I put a lot of work into teaching our children how to be responsible with money. We started the lessons early and used as many teachable moments as possible. After spending over a decade intentionally instilling sound financial habits in my children, my stomach was still a bit queasy as my son and I left the bank.

Driving us home, my practically grown child -- when did THAT happen? -- assured me he was ready for financial responsibility. He promised that he would not head to college in a couple of years and rack up tens of thousands of dollars in debt in time for graduation. He would save, be smart and become financially independent.

My youngest thought his big brother was really cool for opening his first checking account.

"Whoa, if you want bank accounts like your big brother, you will need to be smart -- not like these big corporate guys banking -- no pun intended -- on the government to bail them out. Until you are an adult, I am your government and I won't bail you out. I will let you suffer the consequences and learn your lessons so you won't grow up like those greedy, corporate buffoons who are wrecking our economy."

"What?" my youngest asked with a perplexed look on his face.

"Maybe we should turn off the news for a while," Hubby interjected.

Maybe I did get a little carried away. Then again, the current status of the U.S. financial industry as well as the U.S. economy are excellent examples of what can happen when you are not responsible with money.

Each day, as I read my morning paper and watch the evening news, I have to wonder if anyone -- parents, teachers, professors, bosses -- ever said, "Whoa!" to the CFO's and CEO's who made the decisions that got us here. And what about the folks who jumped in over their heads with mortgages they could not afford -- did anyone ever think to say, "Whoa!" to deals that seemed too good to be true?

Even more poignant, did I say, "Whoa!" enough to my children over the years, and provide enough guidance and information to prevent them from developing and living with a set of their own money woes? Have I instilled in them the capacity to securely grow their own wealth?

Because let's face it, they will have to be at least financially stable enough to provide for not only their own families, but also for Hubby and me based on our most recent 401(k) statements.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.