There is a problem with the argument that Miss USA should represent "us". There is no way for any person to represent "us" about gay marriage, because we are divided on the subject. If Miss California had said "I’m fine with gay marriage" then the other "side" would say that she doesn’t represent "them". No way to win, and I am not convinced that Miss USA’s views make any difference at all. Fast is that I have not watched a beauty pageant in years (except Little Miss Sunshine).

Also, my guess is that she started to give a politically correct statement "we live in a country where you can choose…" and changed her mind and gave her true beliefs "and you know what,… I think I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman…" She made a choice to be true to her beliefs and I can respect that.

We are definitely teaching our kids (12, 10, and 2) about money, especially my husband. We started a business 7 years ago and they have seen the ups and downs. The oldest is a saver and the 10 yo is a spender, so we have different approaches with them to some degree. My 12 yo daughter has the chance to go to Washington D.C. next year for a leadership forum and she is raising half of the money herself. So far some ideas have worked and some haven’t - both good learning lessons.