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Money is always on our minds, most of us wouldn’t want to admit this, but it’s true. One of my favorite quotes about money is by P.T. Barnum “Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.” I love this quote because it really speaks to the power of money when used in a positive way. My relationship with money isn’t always positive (Hello college years!) but when I think about the ways it’s influenced my past, present and future I see a chain of betters.

My Past

Moving to New York City to attend college from a small island was no small feat. Although, I visited this great city many times since I was 8 years old. There was no way to comprehend how expensive this city is until I moved here. As a college student, I found myself at Western Union agent location a few times as family would send me money from back home. When I graduated, I found myself right back there this time in the sending position. This is why Western Union’s Chain of Betters initiative hits home for me because as the company says “…when money moves, better things happen. A business expands. A family connects. A child goes to college. Emergency aid arrives the moment it’s needed. An economy prospers, an opportunity opens, a community heals.”

My Present

I believe that my present role as a mother is to teach my kids how to use money to serve both themselves and others. In the past few weeks, we’ve been decluttering our home and I’ve given my daughter the responsibility of choosing all of the things that she wants to give to other kids her age. With the holiday season around the corner, she’s excited to give away holiday dresses she only wore once or shoes she never had a chance to wear to a kid without. This conversation has led to us talking about why some kids don’t have and I try to answer her questions with the raw truth about money letting her know of all  the beauty and ugliness.

My Future

As a millennial, I am really enthusiastic about the future especially because of the way that social media connects the world. I feel encouraged because I feel like money would move to do much more positive things in the next few years and I am enthusiastic to be a part of that.   Also, the lessons that my children take from what I am trying to teach them about money. The way that they implement it by helping others and using what they earn to help and not hurt will complete the chain of betters.   Connecting my past, present and future allows me to see that money when used positively creates a huge difference in our lives and the lives of others near and far. This is what lies at the heart of the new Chain of Betters project. It’s an idea that empowers people with the opportunity to change the lives of others. As the money moves around the world, creating a chain of good deeds, together we can start to change lives in ways we wouldn’t have imagined was possible. This isn’t just saying money moves for better. This is proving it, together.   Take a moment to check out this video created by Western Union and the Chain of Betters website where you can enter your selfless ideas of what you would do with $1000 for your community before November 30th, 2015. Your idea may get selected 🙂

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How do you discuss money with your children?