"The prize was $2,500 worth of shares in the Liberty Young Investor fund," Mindy wrote. "Plus his winning essay was published online. If the family lesson on financial planning didn't make enough of an impact, winning this contest certainly did. What a wonderful unexpected reward!"

The real reward for Brandon will be a lifetime of financial freedom, as long as he remembers the principles he learned as a child. And Mindy's story should serve as motivation for all of us to start teaching our children about money now.

On a more frivolous note, I also received some feedback regarding my recent column on the importance of the office candy dish.

A reader named Mike sent me an e-mail to say the article pricked his conscience.

"As one who often partakes but seldom provides, I made an effort to stop by Smith's this morning and purchase a bag (of candy) for our assistant's desk," Mike wrote. "Many is the morning that her candy has taken the place of my breakfast. Thanks for the article."

Anything I can do to help, Mike. But you really should have a better breakfast. At least get a doughnut!

One more reminder. I'll be reporting next week on my 7-year-old daughter's trip to my workplace as part of last Thursday's Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. I'm waiting a week because the event occurred too late to meet my deadline for this edition, but also because I'm hoping to hear how office visits from your sons and daughters went.

Please send your stories — or financial questions — to me by e-mail to gkratz@desnews.com or by regular mail to the Deseret Morning News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.

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E-mail: gkratz@desnews.com