Mark Skousen is part of an extensive family. The third oldest of 11 children, he also has many cousins and famous relatives sharing his Danish ancestry.

He continued the tradition of a large family with his wife, Jo Ann Skousen, who he married in 1973. Mark and Jo Ann celebrate 25 years of marriage together this year.

Mark and Jo Ann have raised five children of their own -- Valerie, Tim, Lesley, Todd and Hayley. Each of their children have been taught the principles of savings, thrift, hard work and free-market economics as they have grown up performing family chores and receiving allowances as part of the family income. There were always opportunities to earn extra money through doing extra work, and opportunities to save through their own investment accounts.