From a young age, my parents taught me that being a consumer also requires a great deal of restraint.  My parents stressed that being a good consumer meant that you purchased only the items that you need.  When this is practiced consistently, the door can then be opened to the purchasing of goods and services that are considered wants. For example, when I would receive birthday money from relatives, my parents would make me wait and save the money.  They would eventually allow me to spend it on something I wanted, but they first wanted me to learn to not spend money as soon as I acquired it. In school, there were classes available to students that taught how to manage expenses and perform proper budgeting. As I moved up the ranks of middle school, the opportunity of taking another level of personal finance class was made available to me.  These courses taught basic concepts like balancing a checkbook and even organizing an effective grocery list.  A specific example was when our class took a short field trip to the grocery store.  Each student was given an allowance and was required to buy only the necessary items provided on a grocery list.  The challenge of the task was to get all of the grocery items while still staying under budget.  I think one cultural norm that teaches youth how to be smart consumers is the piggy bank.  You learn to save money all in one spot.  The bank can even teach a small feeling of buyer’s remorse to children.  In order to buy what you want, you must break your piggy bank.  This introduces a sentimental value to the concept of saving and spending at an early age.  You have to be sure of what you need or want and understand the consequences of your purchase.  I believe that this concept takes away the possibility of spending money without an important cause.