There comes a second when your little one may search for and say, with wide-eyed innocence:
- “I need to go to the workplace and kind on a laptop computer all day like Mommy.”
- “I need to journey overseas for work for 2 weeks at a time like Daddy.”
- “I need to have video conferences at dwelling and within the workplace such as you.”
- “I need to go to work and are available dwelling late at evening day-after-day like Daddy.”
At first, chances are you’ll really feel a surge of delight. Your laborious work is being seen. You’ve grow to be a job mannequin. However nearly as rapidly, that delight can twist into one thing else: concern.
As a result of if they really knew what it was prefer to be you—harassed, exhausted, chasing monetary safety—they may rethink their goals. And also you may, too.
Why I Don’t Need My Children to Be Like Me
After publishing Buy This, Not That, I used to be drained. Conventional publishing was new for me, and whereas I used to be proud to strive it, it felt like swinging two bats on the plate—exhausting however satisfying to let go.
Then my writer provided me a two-book deal. I hesitated. Did I actually need to put myself by way of the grind once more? A part of me mentioned no. However one other half—the half that desires to instill a robust work ethic in my youngsters—mentioned sure.
As a FIRE parent, I fear about elevating entitled youngsters who do not recognize how laborious life might be. So I dedicated to the second e-book, not simply to assist readers, however to point out my youngsters what persistence seems like.
The Second Guide, And A Second Of Dread
Two and a half years later, Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures is completed and can hit cabinets on Could 6, 2025. My son has seen me write, heard me speak by way of chapters, and even weighed in on cowl designs.
In the future after faculty, he informed me, “I need to be a author such as you, Daddy.”
My coronary heart swelled. After which sank.
As a result of whereas writing is rewarding, it’s additionally brutally laborious and never financially sensible for many.
The Arduous Lifetime of a Author
I’ve usually questioned how youngsters find yourself pursuing a few of the least profitable jobs after 17 years of training. Don’t they understand the world is simply too merciless to allow them to main in Artwork Historical past, English, or Poetry?
Possibly not. In class, they’re inspired to be artistic, observe their passions, and imagine they will obtain something with laborious work.
Sadly, life has payments to pay.
Until you’re from one of many wealthiest families, spending 4 years and a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars} on faculty to pursue a profession within the arts is impractical.
If my son majored in English and have become a author like me, he’d face many hungry days. He’d seemingly by no means earn sufficient to buy a home, not to mention get married and begin a household.
As a substitute, he might find yourself dwelling in our storage, questioning the place all of it went flawed. Throughout my 24 years in San Francisco, I’ve seen loads of grownup sons dwelling at dwelling, unable to supply for themselves.
My spouse and I won’t see grandchildren both. By pursuing writing, our household lineage might finish, except we construct a genetic dynasty just like the one in Isaac Asimov’s Basis.
The Harsh Economics of Writing
The typical e-book advance? $5,000–$10,000. Even a high 1% advance of $250,000 is normally cut up over 3–4 funds and a pair of–3 years. That’s perhaps $83,000 a yr, hardly a golden ticket, particularly in a high-cost metropolis.
And most writers don’t even get a deal. Roughly 95% fail to land one. The chances are lengthy. The revenue is low. Do not grow to be a professional writer if you wish to stay nicely.
As one dad mentioned to me in 2022, once I talked about writing one other e-book, “I’m sorry. Artificial intelligence is disrupting everything.”
So when my son says he needs to observe in my footsteps, I really feel conflicted. I would like him to be artistic and fulfilled. However I additionally need him to eat.
Running a blog Is not Straightforward Both
“Can’t he simply begin a weblog such as you did?” some may ask.
Positive. However most bloggers make little to nothing for years, even when they publish thrice per week. AI-generated content material is flooding the web, but it surely’s not profitable reader belief or web optimization rewards, but.
Sure, he might strive YouTube or podcasting. However these, too, are lengthy video games crammed with uncertainty.
Don’t construct your important profession on a platform you don’t personal, and don’t count on ardour alone to pay the payments. Listed below are some extra reflections on making money online since 2009.
Significant vs. Profitable Careers
Ideally, your little one will discover work that’s each significant and financially safe. Docs, nurses, and lecturers all contribute to society in unbelievable methods. However even they face burnout. For lecturers, they usually aren’t paid sufficient for what they do.
On the opposite finish are the high-paying however probably soul-draining jobs—funding banking, large tech, administration consulting, and legislation—the industries the place many elite college graduates land. Whereas the work will not be fulfilling, these roles can speed up the trail to monetary independence.”

The Freedom To Select Comes From Monetary Stability
If my son needs to write down, I hope he does it as a side hustle, at the very least till he’s financially secure.
Personally, I’d love for him to pursue a profession that helps society, even when it doesn’t pay nicely. However he’ll solely have that alternative if he builds wealth early. Ardour with out revenue is a quick monitor to resentment.
Earlier than you attempt to save the world, you’ve received to save lots of your self.
Work Ethic Is The One Factor You Can Management
You possibly can’t dictate your little one’s path, however you possibly can mannequin willpower, self-discipline, and delight in your work. These are common abilities in any area.
That’s one purpose I pushed by way of writing Millionaire Milestones. It’s not only a e-book, it is the end result of many years of monetary studying, packaged to assist folks construct nice wealth step-by-step. Additional, it is an instance of labor ethic.
However let’s be frank: there’s no approach I might have written this e-book or maintained this website with out the web price and passive revenue to help my household.
Writing is a labor of affection. It brings deep satisfaction. However the freedom to do it frequently got here solely after monetary independence.
Ultimate Ideas
So when your child says they need to be similar to you, take a second. Smile. Hug them. Then assume laborious about what it means and how much life you really need them to have.
As a result of perhaps the best reward we may give our youngsters isn’t simply inspiration. It’s optionality.
Millionaire Milestones is out tomorrow and I would love so that you can choose up a tough copy. Thanks to your help!

Reader Questions
Readers, do you imagine in following your ardour or being sensible? Would you like your youngsters to develop as much as do what you do? Why or why not? How can we guarantee our youngsters select occupations that pay sufficient and are additionally spiritually rewarding? How can we instill in our youngsters a piece ethic that may assist them succeed, regardless of their occupation?
When You Do not Need Your Children To Develop Up To Be Like You is a Monetary Samurai unique put up. All rights reserved. For extra private finance insights, be part of 60,000+ others and join my free weekly newsletter.