What he tells his kids about money: "No matter what business you are in, you need to educate yourself about the finances of the business. I didn't have to fall apart financially. I should have parlayed the success we had as The Cowsills into my own personal success. Instead I was getting things I couldn't afford, which trashed my credit rating.

"I still can't buy a house. I created my own nightmare with the IRS because I didn't pay taxes for five years. You have to think ahead while you are young; don't use credit cards to ruin your credit. I made bad financial decisions because of my ignorance."