Humor columnist, author ("The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog")

Bankrate: Parents are typically our role models as money managers. What sorts of role model were yours?

Dave Barry: As I said, we didn't have much money. My dad was a Presbyterian minister, and my mom was a homemaker, and there were four of us kids. But my parents had the gift of not worrying about money, not letting the lack of it be a big deal. I know they were always pretty close to the edge financially, because after they died I saw all the accumulated financial records and correspondence. But we managed to be a pretty happy family doing simple things, and I don't recall feeling disadvantaged, except when I wanted a go-cart, and my dad had to explain that we couldn't afford one. So now I REALLY want a go-cart.