"The kid" speaks: When I was about five years old, my dad took me to the local bank to open my first savings account. I was given an allowance and a choice to save it or spend it. Back then, my elementary school also had a school banking program that operated on a voluntary basis. My dad would give me an extra fifty...more

When I was about five years old, my dad took me to the local bank to open my first savings account. I was given an allowance and a choice to save it or spend it. Back then, my elementary school also had a school banking program that operated on a voluntary basis. My dad would give me an extra fifty cents to deposit eac...more

Happiness = wanting what you have (vs. having whatever you want). Being "rich" depends less on your income than on what you owe. You can have a six-figure income, but if you are maintaining a lifestyle maxed out on credit, then you are not really rich at all.

I always try to distribute proper tips at the point of service, where possible. I give 20% to my salon personnel (they keep me looking good) at each visit and follow up with an additional personal gift around the holidays. My husband and I frequent a particular restaurant weekly, and the wait staff know our drink prefe...more

When my spouse & I met he was unemployed. When we married 8 years later, he was gainfully employed & we were making approximately the same annual salary. I was laid off in the early 90's, took a significant pay cut and  have worked my way back up the salary ladder, and as of late have seen my annual salary increase to ...more