But there was a glimmer of hope amid her gloom: a customer is opening a new business across the street from the salon.  She has signed the lease and is moving in.  Her next goal is to acquire a business license.  She was upbeat and positive about her new venture, looking forward to meeting customers’ needs.  Her hope gave me hope.

As for my children, my 9-year-old daughter Maggie asked, on the way back from visiting her great-grandmother, “how can I earn money?”  Yes, we are working on a plan. 

My 7-year-old son Robert lost a front tooth this week.  It had been a bit wiggly for weeks. On Wednesday morning, he began working on it in earnest, and was able to turn it entirely around while it was still attached.  After finally pulling it out right before bedtime, he tucked it under his pillow for the tooth fairy.

The next morning, he awoke thrilled to find that the tooth fairy had traded his tooth for a sparkly gold-colored dollar coin. In fact, the receipt of the dollar led him to count all the money he has saved – all $72.12.  After announcing his net worth, Robert asked how he could add to it. 

The good news is that there are people who want to learn to earn money.  Our challenge is to help create a world where everyone thinks this way.