My earliest memory concerning money was from age 2-3. My mother discovered that I had "boosted" a $100,000 candy bar from our corner store. She made me call the store, tell them what I had done, then walk down to return the candy bar. It was the first time that I realized what I wanted had a cost.
I was taught very early not too spend more than I have. I can remember being about six and asking for dance lessons and being told that we could not afford them. This would have been during the gas crisis of the 80s. We had waited in a long line to fill the tank in our car, being a cheeky child, I yelled after the attendant that I hoped he was happy as the money my mother had just given him was being paid to him and wasn't going toward my dance lessons.
This philosophy has come in handy in my running of our business and in the positions of leadership that I have held for other organizations. By creating and adhering to a budget, these organizations have remained healthy and viable.