'My parents knew nothing about finance and investing, so my buddies and I had to figure it out on our own' "My dad insisted I get a job before he'd help me buy a car, but I said I couldn't get a job ...

My son arranges his own playdates by phone, and watching him do it has changed how I think about independence.

MANVILLE, New Jersey -- Dukes Park in Manville is very serene and just waking up from the long winter. It's a favorite spot for 8-year-old Alina Colon, especially as the Raritan River runs through it.