Free is bad.

I'm just cruising around the web looking for something to write about. I stumbled across this article about making University free. I'm really 50/50 on this one. Obviously everyone deserves a chance at education and leaving school burdened by debt is terrible and a hardship for certain. But if education is free where would its value lie? I'm willing to bet that a lot less people would finish or take classes seriously if they didn't feel financial pain of paying for them.

It's often true the only thing that helps people become money managers is having to deal with debt. I've become addicted to a show called Til debt do us part. It's fascinating how these couples have no concept of debt or responsible spending. By going in their homes and showing them how to live within their means Gail Vaz-Oxlade is teaching them a life lesson that will benefit them forever.

How about we have free financial planning courses in university or free budget building lessons or income expense sheet reading? Getting handouts never helps anyone. Look at our EI or Social Assistance set up. Like they say;

"Teach a man to fish...."