It's not just about having, it's also about giving

Growing up in a wealthy family, I am thankful my parents instilled in me the importance of giving back to the world. As early as I can remember, my parents were donating to causes they felt strongly about. After my father survived two bouts of cancer, they started their own foundation to support cancer patients, which my mother still oversees today.

Having also lost a fortune and recovered from that crisis, I can also say without a doubt that before you give generously to others, you must first build a strong financial foundation for yourself. If you're giving everything you have away, if you're living in deprivation, you're not only jeopardizing your future security, you're diminishing the impact you can have with your money. Just imagine what you could accomplish, what dreams you could make real if money was not an issue in your life.

Personally, I support organizations that help women improve their lives. I learned from the women I interviewed the importance of having a plan, not giving money away willy nilly. They took a long, hard look at what they cared most about, what mattered to them, what really made them feel good. It was not always an easy task. Many were struggling to identify their values, asking themselves: What is the best use of my money, time and energy? Where can I really make a difference?

We've all heard that giving most benefits the giver, but I know that to be more than a platitude. So I encourage all of you to get your finances in order, earn your full potential—and then share your bounty and vision with others.