An Open Letter to My 17-Year-Old Sister: A Path Worth Considering

June 20th 2022

Hey there,

How’s it going? I know this might feel a bit out of the blue, but I wanted to share some thoughts with you. I figured this might be helpful—or at least give you something to think about—depending on how you view things. If anything I say feels unclear, just let me know, and I’ll be happy to explain.

I remember you mentioned planning to take a year off to work and that you’re unsure about what you want to do in the future. That got me thinking. Maybe there’s an opportunity here that might interest you. If it doesn’t, no worries—just hear me out.

It’s completely normal not to know what career path you want to take. Most people your age haven’t figured it out yet. I imagine that’s because you haven’t found anything that really excites you. Picking something just for the sake of picking it doesn’t make much sense, does it? Imagine spending decades stuck in a job you don’t enjoy—or worse, dread. Sure, it might not feel so bad when you’re young, but as you get older, it could wear on you. Just think about this: would Mom and Dad rather stay home with us or look forward to their jobs every single day?

Eight hours of work, plus one or two hours of commuting, adds up to 10 hours a day. That’s time you could be spending doing something you love or being with the people you care about. If you find a job you enjoy, at least those eight hours aren’t wasted doing something you hate.

But that’s not the main reason I’m writing to you. While I absolutely believe in the importance of finding a career you enjoy, I also want to tell you about an alternative path—a way to set yourself up now so that your future doesn’t have to revolve around work.

Right now, you’re in a unique position. You’re young, disciplined, and have the mental capacity to set the groundwork for something amazing. If you choose to, you can create a life where, even if you end up in a job you don’t love, you could walk away after a few years and spend your time however you want—whether that’s with family, traveling, or pursuing hobbies. You don’t have to wait until you’re 65 to retire.

The key to this is starting early with investing.

I know what you’re thinking: “Investing? That sounds boring or risky.” But hear me out. It’s actually the opposite. If you let your money sit in a savings account, inflation eats away at its value every year. Prices go up, but your savings don’t, which means you can buy less with the same amount of money as time goes on. Salaries do increase, but usually not as fast as inflation.

When you start paying for things like food, rent, utilities, and medical bills, it becomes harder to save. And if you lose your job, your income stops, but your expenses don’t. The longer your money stays in a bank account, the more its value shrinks. That’s why not investing is actually riskier in the long run.

If you start investing now, your money can grow faster than inflation and multiply over time. At 17, you’re in the perfect position. You’re planning to work for a year, and you even have scholarships. Most people your age aren’t even thinking about investing, but starting now could set you up for financial freedom by your 20s or 30s. Imagine being in a place where you don’t have to worry about money at such a young age. You could even help Mom and Dad if they ever need it.

If this doesn’t interest you, that’s totally fine—just keep it in mind for the future. But if it sparks any curiosity, let me know, and I’d be happy to explain more. The earlier you start, the bigger the impact it can have on your life.

P.S. In case you’re wondering, no, this isn’t some kind of scam. I’m not asking for your money or trying to sell you anything. I’m just sharing an idea that could help you, and I’m here to guide you if you’re interested. Honestly, if someone sent me an email like this, my first thought would be, “What’s the catch?” So, I get it—just wanted to clear that up.

Take care,
Vio