Growing up, my parents taught their five daughters a lot about money. Since we worked in a family business, we were surrounded by bills and coins. My aunt would iron the crinkly bills to keep things in order and not even think about having them face in different directions, a big no-no. We would neatly and accurately count the piles of bills sorting them by ones, fives, tens, and twenties. Honesty and Integrity were a given. Although it might be tempting to pocket a few loose bills, we never did.

Did you grow up chanting this line from the Wizard of Oz?

I know I did. Even though it was a 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz became a classic and a significant influence on most of our childhoods. Though not as dramatic as The Wizard of Oz, children of the 60s lived a life of wild adventure. The lions, and tigers, and bears, were limited only by our own imagination.

How do you give back? It isn't just about money. Although it takes money to buy things to give back, it makes a more significant impact by giving a physical item rather than just cash as an example. There are seven ways to live generously: Thoughts, Words, Influence, Time, Attention, Belongings, and Money. How can you incorporate giving into everyday living? Start by sharing the stories, “I like _____.”

While living in a free country pursuing their dreams, they also felt obligated to Lift Small Boats back in Poland. The concept is that if you help those struggling financially, everyone benefits. My family would sew U.S. dollars into the hems of clothing and send it to relatives in Communist Block Poland. U.S. cash at the time could get you goods that weren't available with Polish currency. They also assisted other family members in relocating to America to pursue their ambitions. As a close neighbor, now the Ukrainians need our help to fight back against the same powerful country, Russia.

In a world of 24/7 news, where the latest drama dominates the headlines, the more negative and devastating the stories, the higher the ratings. During this time, it is worth remembering that our capacity for generosity and kindness has been part of us long before TV decided what to applaud and report.

Fiscal responsibility is something that needs to be taught at an early age.  Parents should intentionally educate their children to be money-aware.  It will not be a lesson in their school and is definitely not an example set by our government.  Parents need to demonstrate that money does not grow on trees by talking about earning money through allowances and eventually jobs.  I started working in our family business as soon as I could walk.  I would get ten cents for restocking the candy display.  Eventually, I worked up to organizing and ordering the merchandise.  However, the big honor was creating fantastic Easter baskets considering the cost of what was inside for reasonable pricing.  Business families, unfortunately, get into the rut of children thinking that life is like a cookie jar they can reach into any time they need money.  It starts with a cookie but evolves into high expectations of having everything paid for them.