Why I keep doing what I do… 

“I’m 14 years old and I’m curious to learn about ways I can earn money. I play soccer and am very dedicated to it. My goal is to become a professional. So along with getting good grades in school, I have two practices and a gym workout of some sort every day. Which doesn’t leave too much time for a regular job. My parents work very hard, and if I could earn any money at all, it would be to pay for my soccer, because it’s very expensive. Could you please give me some pointers on where to start and how to be successful in terms of money? I would be very grateful if I could learn from your perspective. Thank you so much for your time!” – MZ

My Response: You have four things working for you: (1) You recognize that building wealth is not easy. (2) And that the time to start building it is now. (3) You are a hard worker. (4) You are only 14.

The last is the strongest thing in your favor. Because if you begin now, you have decades ahead of you to earn money without taking unnecessary risks. To get you started, I’m going to send you a copy of Automatic Wealth for Grads, which I wrote specifically to give young people like you guidance on moving forward with your ambitions. I’m also going to send you a copy of The Pledge, which will give you a blueprint for successfully accomplishing all your objectives.

Please keep me updated on your progress.

“I’ve been following you since 2010. I moved to the US from Canada where nobody talks about the ‘market’ let alone have it play a daily part of life like in the US. Your newsletter(s) were my first guidebook to investing…. I also enjoyed what you wrote about living a richer life. Spending time with your wife, traveling, food, wine, etc. Those essays were fun and extremely practical!” – DB

Oops!

 AS’s comment in the Readers Write section of Tuesday’s issue should have read:

“‘Unchained Melody’ was covered by so many different bands and singers. It was written by an incarcerated man, which, to me, gives it even more passion. I’ve listened to it hundreds of times, and it was never done better than by The Righteous Brothers. It still gives me goosebumps.”