Gifting The Simple Path to Wealth Note Suggestions

[FLSUnFIRE]

I'll be giving my nephews a copy of the Simple Path to Wealth for Christmas (I was going to wait till graduation but my sister said "do it now!") and want to put a note in with the book. I'd appreciate any suggestions... this is my start:

This book may not be the most exciting gift you’ll receive but could be one of the most valuable as it is full of good advice that can put you on the path to a life of greater freedom to live as you wish. I encourage you to read it once now (at least the Beginnings and Parts 1 and 2) As you are already earning income I highly encourage you to open and contribute to a Roth IRA now! It would be good to re-read it once you graduate high school, college/trade school, and any time your financial life has a major change.

The Simple Path to Wealth contains a ton of knowledge that most people do not figure out until middle age or later (if ever) and, as I hope you’ll soon understand, the sooner one starts effectively managing their financial life well, the greater the impact and the lower the total investment that person will need to make to achieve their goals. You don't have to be a financial geek to do well (in fact the best results will be had by incorporating a few good habits early in life and not thinking about it or fiddling with things very much -less can be more!). I hope by reading this early and heeding the advice you will have a huge head start. I wish this book was available for me when I was younger.

[Ronstar]

Very nice gift and note. I remember something in a college writing course claiming that shorter writings have a greater effect.

I would just go with your first and last sentences.

[street]

I agree with Ronstar. The less you quote the longer it will last, that is a great gift. I hope someday he will realize the value and your intent.

[Lewis Clark]

If you want something longer, here is what I gave to my niece when she graduated from college.

https://www.early-retirement.org/for...ml#post2980606

[sengsational]

It will depend heavily on the temperament of the recipient whether the book makes a difference or not. If it makes any difference at all, I'd consider it a "win". Irrespective of the impact on finances, you'll have a connection. But it doesn't seem to me the note will be a key factor. Probably about as impactful as the eye contact when you hand it to the recipient.

[Morgan22]

I think its a great gift also; if they are interested in learning this.
If they are not interested, they may not read it. It's 286 pages.

Maybe give them If You Can; How Millennials Can Get Rich. Only 48 pages long. Or if they are the type that do everything on their phones, send them a link to the PDF. https://www.etf.com/docs/IfYouCan.pdf

I hope they read whichever you give to them and come back with questions or thoughts! I really enjoyed trying to get my kids on board of simple early investing. (Starting with the PDF above since they are both not really into books.) One is totally on board now and seems to be on the path to early retirement, the other one not so much.

[VanWinkle]

I think you are doing a great service for your nephew!! I would recommend you also wet his appetite with a short 16 page book "If You Can". It is an easy read and will hopefully make him want to read the longer book. Just noticed Morgan 22 recommending the same!!

VW

[Closet_Gamer]

Nice gift, nice sentiment, and nice note.

Agree with others that a bit of brevity in the note may be better, but I wouldn't overthink it.

My daughters are now into their 20s and beginning to reflect back those lessons that left an impact -- and those that didn't . Both have shared that the following left an impact:

"You either control your money, or your money will control you."

Perhaps of value.

Well done to you and I hope it helps them!

[Gremlin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Closet_Gamer "You either control your money, or your money will control you."

Love this!

OP, the gift and the note could be life changing for your nephew. Briefer is always better, of course. But I also feel without knowing the personality of the individual or your relationship with him, it’s hard to give accurate advice here. In general I’d say the worse he is with money, the briefer the book and the note should be.

[lucky penny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by street I agree with Ronstar. The less you quote the longer it will last, that is a great gift. I hope someday he will realize the value and your intent.

I agree too. Giving the book sends a strong message, & a short note underscores it. Start with a conversation, not a lecture.

[MarieIG]

Very good gift. I remember this as a quick read. My note would be short (i.e. the last two sentences) - with a sticky on the summary pages.

[Chuckanut]

There are numerous books with the name The Simple Path to Wealth or something very similar.

Can somebody give me me the name of the author?

[Lewis Clark]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut There are numerous books with the name The Simple Path to Wealth or something very similar. Can somebody give me me the name of the author?

J. L. Collins

[FREE866]

Great idea and phenomenal book, but as others have said tighten up the note to 3 or 4 sentences tops.


I actually gave the book to my two nieces 6 months ago , 22 and 24 now, they haven't read a page

[PatrickA5]

Great idea! Hope it works!

Now, if I was to give a paper copy of a Finance book to my 3 adult children: The oldest wouldn't read it and probably throw it away, the middle child would read a book - but not one on finance, the 3rd child (finance major) wouldn't read it because it's a paper book.

But, it's worth a try!

[pacergal]

Nice, thoughtful gift.
I would reduce the note to the first and last two sentences.
Maybe add a note that a small $ incentive is available for him when he opens his first IRA?

[OldShooter]

Good thoughts, but the piece will be much more readable if you rewrite it using much shorter sentences. Just IMO.

[Flyfish1]

In his Lettres Provinciales, the French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal famously wrote:

I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis Clark J. L. Collins

Thanks. Apparently the title is quite popular among financial writers.

[Calico]

OP, your post indicates that your nephews haven't graduated high school yet.

I think your note is impressive, BUT - trust me - their eyes (and their brains) will glaze over before they get 1/3 of the way through it.

Brief is better!!!