The Only Book My Dad Ever Mentioned to Me

My dad wasn’t a big reader, but I remember the three books he kept in the house when I was growing up:

-A Sears Roebuck DIY manual he used to gut-rehab our house

-The Complete Book of Running by Jim Fixx (who, ironically, died of a heart attack)

-And The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley

That last one was the only book he ever talked to me about—and it stuck.

I read it, and it shaped how I’ve handled money ever since.

When I got my first job in PR, I was making $21,000 a year.

My paycheck barely cleared $500. But I always saved $50 a month.

Even after I moved into my own apartment, I never stopped.

It didn’t feel like much, but I invested that $50 in a Janus mutual fund.

I still have that little account. Over the decades, it’s grown to over six figures.

I’ve dipped into it from time to time. But the discipline of starting early and sticking to it has been priceless.

This is what I share with my 20-something clients (mostly Gen Z):

Start saving. Even a little. Even when it feels pointless.

Why?

When you have money, you have choice.

You can leave a toxic job.

You can shift careers without panic.

You can make decisions from a place of confidence, not survival.

I call it F-You Money (with love).

It’s not about being wealthy. It’s about being free.

You don’t have to give up your lifestyle.

Just skip the Starbucks line once or twice a week, or buy a great cappuccino machine and brew at home.

Automate that money into something simple and long-term. Then let compound interest do the rest.

(There are tons of calculators online if you need some motivation—they’ll blow your mind.)

🎥 I'll leave a short video here that illustrates this beautifully:
The Life-Changing Opportunity Young People Have in 2025.

It’s one of the most important lessons I share with young professionals, because it’s not just about dollars.

It’s about power, peace of mind, and the ability to choose your future

Kelley Joyce is a career development coach who is dedicated to helping people discover their career path and land their dream jobs. She has served hundreds of professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia since 2012 to radically change their relationship with work. Follow her on LinkedIn for career and business tips.