A teachable moment is an opportunity in which circumstances make teaching easiest. This is a powerful tool in parenting and therefore deserves strong consideration. Since teenagers are typically the most resistant to parental advice, parents value teachable moments. However, they can seem few and far between. The good news is that you can facilitate their appearance. The key is increasing the number of activities that put you in  close quarters with your teen. Cook together with your teen, talk…

Using denial to cope with money troubles is a common roadblock to help. Denial is about hoping that a solution will appear even without a plan to make it happen. If this sounds like you, avoid drifting where this torrent of stress may lead. Your first step may not be financial counseling, but rather short-term mental health counseling to deal with fear of change, fear of living on a no-frills budget, and fear of conflict as you petition your spouse to join the cause. After this prep work,…