Yet when we arrive at adulthood, whether we are 20-something or 50-something, we don't always live up to the wise advice and expectation of those that came before us.
People who have taken the more intensive courses say that it is wise to keep expectations realistic.
Consumers who take immediate advice, and act fast, can have the best chance of recouping some of their losses - but it is wise to keep expectations low.
R. L. Burnside, one of today's most popular country bluesmen, has developed a wise response to such expectations.
Ford Motor may have recorded a surprise profit in the July-September quarter, but with the boost from Cash For Clunkers spent, investors would be wise to keep their expectations for the last three months of the year muted.
Why people aren't up front with their expectations, money wise, astounds me.
Then again, Netflix has yet to release screeners to film critics, and Jones' last film was Warcraft, so it might be wise to start managing expectations now.
On that count, it may be wise to have low expectations for any breakthrough solutions or killer apps coming out of the Friday hackathon.
Denise agrees it's wise to set appropriate expectations: "My oldest son's college counselor told us that he had a good chance of getting into an Ivy league school, but not to expect him to get into every Ivy he applied to.
"I think the fourth quarter is going to be the lowest point, expectation-wise," said Robert Jakobsen, an analyst with Jyske Bank, who recommended buying into Philips at the current price.
Wise planning starts with a realistic expectation of life expectancy using life expectancy tables, as well as considering personal and family health history.
