I feel like I am constantly having this "talk" with my stepson. He's almost 17, and I'm trying to explain to him the costs of living.
My parents alienated my twin sister and I from the actual costs of living and it was an eye opener for sure when I decided to move out at 18. Sure, I knew I would have to pay rent and utilities, but I never knew the REAL cost of all that.
I think by having these kinds of talks with your children, they (hopefully) gain a respect for the parent as well when they realize how much money goes into the cost of raising them and buying their name brand clothes. I look forward to having this talk with my son (almost 13) in a couple years...it sure beats having to do the "birds and the bees" talk....no boy wants their mom to tell them about girls 
