Money was never a topic of discussion in my childhood home. If there were financial difficulties for my parents, I didn't know it, but if we were rich, I didn't really know that either. It was simply never brought up. My only clues about my parents' financial situation were the things I observed. These things I knew: Dad had a good job at an oil and gas company, I had a bigger house than most of my friends, and I lived in one of the nicest subdivisions in town. Mom always ordered her vehicles in the exact color she wanted, with the exact bells and whistles she wanted, without ever choosing one from the lot. My father's reaction was always the same. “If you want it, take it.” My dad had his share of new trucks and several different boats depending on where we lived at the time and the type of water he fished. My parents were not extravagant, but valued their life and their money. And there was always 10% to give to the church for their tithe. My parents didn't buy me everything I wanted and I never had designer clothes or shoes. I've never owned a Swatch watch or Guess jeans (in the 80s they were the ultimate style). For everyday things, Mom's motto was "quantity over quality." She taught me about art sales and I learned early on that if you spent less money, you could have a lot more. Mom demonstrated it every Christmas. About 3 weeks before Christmas, she started wrapping the presents and putting them under the tree. By the time Christmas rolled around, my siblings and I had dozens of presents to unwrap. Granted, I knew they weren't expensive items, but it was a source of pride for me to give my friends the final package count after Christmas. Qua...... middle of paper ......I've done it, and each of us handles money very differently. I remember the importance I placed on the number and quantity of “stuff” I owned or received and the pride I felt in having a big house or the new cars my mother would buy. Maybe part of my personality, the proud part, plays a big role in my struggles with money. I worked on these aspects of my life and my personality. I actually haven't walked into a mall (except for specific items we needed) in a few years. My goal is to find balance, but before I can do that, I need to fix the mess I'm in. But in the meantime, I am now determined to help my children understand the importance of budgeting and money management. I hope I haven't already set such a bad example, that it will impact the decisions they make for their own financial future..