When our oldest was just able to talk, I emptied her full piggy bank on the floor of the den for the first time and helped her count the wealth she had amassed with the help of grandparents eager to spoil their first grandchild.

"Would you like to give some of your money away, Dear, to share with others?" I asked enthusiastically, thinking that it is never too early to teach a child about generosity.

Encouraged by her positive response, I asked the obvious question next.

"How much?"

"All of it!" she responded, scooping up the coins and bills in her baby arms with a big smile.

I almost fainted. It was a lot of money.

Over the years, we have emphasized a core set of ideas and then watched in bewilderment as all three kids interpret and develop their own personal fiscal philosophy; each one as unique as the individual we raised.

Principle No. 1 - Give It Away. Yeah, I know this sounds crazy, but it is a basic truth that giving creates gratefulness in the giver.

Principle No. 2 - Define Wealth Accurately. If you have two feet and four shoes, you've got a wealth of feet and an abundance of shoes.

Principle No. 3 - Recognize the Source. As a young wife, often stressed out about how my young husband managed, or failed to manage, money, I learned that God was my Provider.

Principle No. 4 - Hard Work is Fun. Okay, not all the time. But, learning to make a job fun for others is a great skill and can be fun in itself.

Principle No. 5 - Skills are Acquired to Serve Others, not Glorify Self. As parents, it is so easy to crave success for our kids, especially financial security, forgetting that their ultimate satisfaction will be in the true success of loving others.

Principle No. 6 - Serve Others and Success Follows.

In this, my kiddoes have inspired me. With so many of their generation, their successes have proven to be a result of their commitment to serve others.

Principle No. 7 - Education is a Good Investment. Choosing college is often a sound financial decision, if you don't overspend. Measure the return on your investment as you choose schools and majors; avoid debt like the plague.

Principle No. 8 - Save. Nothing beats an unstable economy like a savings account.

Principle No. 9 - Live Like You Mean It. If you are wondering if we let our toddler give away all her money, the answer is, yes. What's a parent to do?

With all the gloom and doom lately, my hat is off to the East Texans I know; folks just grateful to be able to work and feed their family.

Or folks we read about in the paper; local smalltown heroes, taking the little that they have and stretching it to help others in need.

Kind of like a toddler teaching mom to give exuberantly.

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com