The trend is not only affecting our personal lives, it has crossed over into how people run their businesses and how our government operates.

This year alone, it is estimated that our national debt will skyrocket to an unprecedented $7 TRILLION. This number continues to rise at a rate of about $2 BILLION a day and each citizen's portion of the debt reaching roughly $24,000.

We have become a nation of debtors. We are increasingly no longer able to differentiate between "wants" and "needs." Our demand for instant gratification is stealing the money that we will need to live on tomorrow so we can buy the new gadget or car that we are longing for today. Adding to this frustration is the fact that the amount of money Americans are saving has fallen to a historical low while bankruptcy is on the rise.

My father always used to say growing up on the farm that, "if you are not part of the solution then you must be part of the problem." I have carried this concept through to the Treasurer's office and together we have come up with over a dozen new programs aimed at building solid financial practices specifically among children, young adults, women and seniors.

I believe that the only way to break the cycle of bad financial habits is to shatter it completely by attacking as many aspects of the problem as possible. The following outlines the four programs we are working on for young people.

It is said that it is difficult to teach an old dog a new trick. The aim of our youth initiatives is to avoid having to re-teach these skills later in life by getting it right the first time.

After taking office we worked with legislators to pass Senate Bill 74 which mandates financial literacy programs be taught in all K-12 Kansas schools. In addition, we are working with the private sector to unveil a "Save at School" program that will allow local financial institution representatives to go into schools and help teach solid financial management skills to students in a fun environment. In October, we will be hosting a children's finance camp at Rock Springs 4-H camp for middle school aged kids who are interested in math and finance. More information will be available soon for each of these programs.

Within our office, we have launched Kids Zone on our webpage. It is a free and safe area for children to go online and use our homework helper, play educational games and have their financial questions answered. Additionally, the state's college savings plan, Learning Quest, continues to do well with over 61,000 accounts and assets of over $677 million. This program proves that Kansas' parents are serious about saving for their children's educational futures.

You are probably wondering how much all of these programs cost you the taxpayer? Well, the answer is simple…nothing! Through our partnerships with Kansas businesses and organizations, we are able to bring these programs to Kansans at little or no cost because we are working within our existing resources.

To find out more information about any of the programs we offer within this office please check us out online at www.kansasstatetreasurer.com or by phone at (785) 296-3171. As always, it is a pleasure and an honor to serve as your State Treasurer.