Christy is one of the most economically productive millionaire next door types whom I have interviewed.  She attributes much of her success to her upbringing. Her father was “career army”. . . a sergeant.  Her mother was a full time homemaker.  Household budgeting and a frugal family lifestyle were part of her earliest socialization process. 

We would all sit down the first Sunday afternoon of each month.  We didn’t have much money. . . .  We would always look at Daddy’s paycheck and then start doing our homework. 

Priority was given to charitable pledges, then outstanding bills; then upcoming expenses for the month were estimated.  Christy recalled her parents smiling while earmarking a good portion of their household income to the “childrens’ college funds.” 

I knew how hard it was for them to save for us to go to college.  But each time Daddy wrote a check for the college fund he would smile and say . . . I love writing checks that will pay the tuition bills.  You can do this for your kids someday.

One of the reasons for Christy’s success today is the nurturing environment that was provided by her parents.  Christy and her siblings were respected as members of the family planning board.  They learned early on about budgeting and planning.  They had to justify their requests for a new notebook or new shoes.  All of these experiences prepared Christy for her present vocation as a business leader.