Congratulations Mom and Dad. You survived the teenage years! You and I both know, you deserve a damn medal just for that. You taught them what they need to know to thrive in the world, and now they are off to college. But did you teach them proper financial management? Managing a college student's cash flow is imperative to the habits they establish for life and keeps you away from having to have unpleasant discussions with them and bridging their shortfall.

No, I am not a Human Resource guru, an industrial psychologist, a professional career strategist, or a personnel recruiter.  I am a business person who over the past 20 years has hired well over 1,000 people, counseled the careers of more than 100 persons of all ages, and coached the interviews of dozens with a perfect success record.  Impressed?  Don’t be.  I gave you this background only to illuminate the origin of my advice in the lines to come.