Last month we organized a group of students from the Virginia Tech MBA program to visit with local Roanoke companies. It was quite the experience for them and it was documented in this online article.

We must do more of this to educate students on the opportunities that exist in Roanoke. If your company or student group would like to participate in the future, then please let me know.

I read an intersting article in this month’s Fast Companyon Aaron Patzer’s company Mint.com - a site to help young adult manage their money. In this article, it said that on average Americans under 35 spend 16% more than they earn. Wow!

Mass materialism, image building, consumerism, keeping up with the Joneses, brand affinity, access to credit all contribute to this issue. From this statistic, it is becoming a problem. Why can’t we live within our means? Why can’t we differentiate between needs and wants? Why?

Perhaps we must create a local program in the region to better educate young adults on these personal finance issues or at lease drive them to Mint.com. Any thoughts are recommended?