I have always had a very prosperous job and enough money to give my kids almost anything. But my wife and I decided not to.

My parents raised me similarly - but not nearly with the same intensity as the author. I am an utter failure at cooking. My mom blames the engineer side of my brain for that, "You don't have to measure everything to goddamn perfection! It's just what feels and tastes right!" I can sew moderately well because I went through a punk phase with patches and jean jackets and cutting skirts and all that jazz. But those little details aren't what make or break a kid. Regulations and rules and chores are a vehicle for getting your children to understand the importance of hard work, the rewards that one receives when they work hard, and the value of a dollar.

The first time I can recall my parents "training" me finanically was in middle school. All the girls in my grade suddenly had 3 or 4 pairs of "frankie b's" (designer jeans that run $100-$200 a pair) and oversized coach sunglasses. I wanted them too. My mom gasp at the price and told me I could have a pair for my birthday if I paid for half.

So I started babysitting more and saved every penny. Got a pair 6 months later and wore them for 3 years straight. Same thing happened with my first computer, first car, etc. Once I realized the things I could buy with $100, I no longer wanted the pants.

In middle school and high school I resented them for making me work and pay for the things I wanted. I remember one screaming match when I needed tampons and my mom told me to walk to Target and buy them with my money.

When I started hanging out with older kids, and later in college, I started to appreciate my parents more. Some of my friends were just stupid but others were ignorant. Their parents provided them with everything and they had no idea how to do anything - they felt entitled to every job opening or felt they were too good to take part in a "lame" exercise in class. In my hometown, even the most intelligent of my friends were still happily living at their parents, working delivering pizza or something, going to community college sometimes, driving their nice car, and having their parents give them money for whatever the night's plans were.

In high school, I couldn't wait to turn 18 so I could get the fuck away from my parents. I think that's healthy. They raised me - they didn't coddle or spoil or befriend me. I'm sure, financially, my parent's could have given me everything I wanted. They didn't (and still don't) talk about financials or accounts with my brother or me. I still have no idea how much money my family has beyond what I can glean from the various tax forms I sign each year.

All I know is that I'm grateful they raised me like that. I don't rely on anything or anyone to provide for me. I work my ass off and make my own way. I only spend what I have in my account and I am still horridly frugal even though I know make a decent amount of money.

We could afford a hotel, or cruise, but did not choose those options. We went camping and backpacking.

We did the same thing - again not as intensely. We never stayed at luxury resorts or took cruises. We found little out of the way shacks in the middle of no where. Cabins in the snow, cottages that required us to hitchhike with a fruit vendor. Also, no electronics were allowed on vacations - no phones, no gameboys, no walkman. We read and did math workbooks. I still can't imagine traveling any other way and I still crave vacations sans connectivity.