Next year, when you are 14…do not even THINK about taking a puff of that cigarette. Save your future self some money and save your health!

There will be 1,000 things that you can’t live without between 13 and 33, you will get most of them.

There will be 999 things collecting dust on the shelves or the landfills of the world that will pass through your hands.

Only one at a time can occupy the mantle of your affection. Please understand that there is nothing you can buy that will give you lasting satisfaction.

My advice to you:
To have power over your life you will have to separate your wants and needs, balancing the wants for today against the ones for tomorrow.

Older GD

Now as to why.

About 20 years ago I learned the real value of money by giving some away. I had been taught to give and was ok but not consistent.

I found myself with some extra cash at one point in time. While I was at church, one of the members mentioned she and her husband were having some significant financial troubles and asked for prayer. She was trusting that God would provide.

I realized I was in a position to do something REAL with what little I had rather than blow it.

I placed it in an envelope addressed to her and anonymously left it for her.

The following week she told us about what happened and what it meant to her and her family. The needs it met.

All I know is what it meant to me.

mnc13: “Uhh..yeah. Sure, whatever.”

mnc31: “I know this is going to sound crazy but I have a few suggestions for you that will help you out financially as you get older.”

mnc13: “zzzz…”

mnc31: “Okay, I know you are making some good money right now with your lawn mowing business and selling candy to the kids at school. The problem is that you aren’t saving ANY of that money. The thing to do is set aside 30% of your money for long-term savings, 10% to give to those in need and then you can spend the rest.”

mnc13: “Dude, you’re old.”

mnc31: “Yes, I am getting up there in years and I probably feel as old as you think I am right now. But if you follow my advice of saving, charity and spending then you may be in a position to retire by the time you are my age. How does that sound?”

mnc13: “Hey, that sounds pretty cool. So that was save 30% of my money, give away 10% and I get to spend the rest?”

mnc31: “Right.”

mnc13: “Cool, I can do that.”

mnc31: “One more piece of advice that you will thank me for later. When it is time for you to go to college, give serious thought to the state college as opposed to that nice private school you are likely going to prefer. In the end, you will receive a very similar education but save yourself the $20,000 in student loans and the high cost to your parents. They will thank you and you will be happy. Plus, you’ll probably spend most of your time at that state school partying with your friends that go there anyways so give it some thought.”

mnc13: “Whatever man, I’ve got $60 that I need to go spend. Are you done?”

mnc31: “Yeah, best of luck to you kid and I’ll be seeing you around.”

First, I’d remind myself that just because I could find a job paying $10 an hour now doesn’t mean I’ll have it forever. Saving 50% of what I earn is great, but if I could manage to save 80-90% instead of wasting it on Backstreet Boys cds, I’ll be much happier when I get to college.

Second, I’d encourage myself to become more proactive about my money. At 13, I had a steady income from babysitting and tutoring, and by the time I was 15 I was regularly earning several hundred dollars a month. Instead of just sticking money into a savings account at the local bank, I would encourage myself to check out CDs, the stock market, etc.

Third, I’d tell my 13 year old self just to trust herself and continue making good decisions. I have no regrets about how I got here, and while the two above tips would have had some positive benefits, nothing would be worth losing who I am now.

Your dad is a great guy (you’ll realize that in about 10 years), but his views on money aren’t. Focus on doing what makes you happy, and not on material things and wealth. When you’re tempted to buy things on credit so that you can appear to be financially successful, don’t. It’s not worth it. When you’re tempted to take a job, or stay in it, because the money is good, don’t do it. When you’re older and going gray, a silly man named Daniel Franco will tell the world, “Follow your bliss.” He’s right.

At 13 I actually told myself this and I have only one thing show for it: the gift of never being a slave to money. It is the most valuable thing I could have ever done for myself.

I would then punch me in the throat. I could have used one of them back then.

I would teach my previous 13 year old self about the stock market and step by step, how to start investing in things that I know about or see becoming a big deal. How to dollar cost average and use mutual funds to diversify. I’d show me examples of investing a small amount in the right stock or fund and the results over time. I would show me because no one ever showed me that.

I would tell me to join clubs at school and do community service things in order to get into a better college and maybe secure some financial aid. I would tell me to get over being a loner and the shy one because that will only hold me back. I would tell me because no one ever told me that when I needed to know.

I would tell me to travel each summer in college and experience life before I have to sit at a desk 9 hours a day. Work as you go and see things around the world. Because no one ever told me it was ok to do things like that when I needed to know.

Also, and most importantly recognized in this day and age, I would express the importance of a strong work ethic. So much is given to our children they may not grasp the importance of hard work. There is no free ride but work hard and perseverance will take you far. Don’t take everything that comes to you when you are 13 and carefree for granted. Learn to do without, and for God’s sake, read, read, read.

Because no one ever told me these things when I needed to know.

Above all, Self, do NOT under ANY circumstances, waste it on your Current Boyfriend. Because you’ll meet Husband in about 3 more years. Save your money for him because he’s worth every penny.

Lastly, Self, learn about the power of compounding interest, and use it to your advantage, because when you finally move out, 6 years later, and start really living on your own with no help from your parents who gambled away your entire educational savings, you’re going to be thrilled to bits to have your savings see you through the very hard times that are coming your way.”

When I was 13, I decided I wanted to BUY BIG into baseball cards. However, at 13 I lacked the capital to go “big.” Or at least, I thought I did until saw a listing in the local paper:

CASH PAID FOR STAR WARS TOYS!!

And if I had gobs of anything, it was Star Wars toys. I had every stormtrooper known to man. The Falcon. The Tie Fighter. I even had the flippin’ Death Star.

Three weeks later, I had a few hundred bucks. Three weeks after that, I had a few thousand baseball cards. Three years after that, the baseball card market implodes.

Soon after that, somebody starts E-bay. Star Wars collectors worldwide rejoice.

And yes – I even had the Sears Snaggletooth, currently on E-bay for $150.

All that remains is boxes of old cardboard with pictures of dudes with bad mustaches.