“The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest.”
Albert Einstein
On a day so calm, under sky so blue, just like in a fairy tale, though this story’s true; a mommy and daddy brought a girl to their world.
She was tiny and perfect. Her small body curled into a comma until she stretched out; giggling, and sniffling, and wiggling about.
Her eyes were so bright, her skin like fresh cream. She was the beguiling answer to their beautiful dream.
She looked as full as a promise, so that’s what they said, when they named her that night, as they lay in their bed.
They looked on their newborn, with nothing but love, as pure and as still as the heavens above.
A flawless gift given, she demanded respect. Mom and Dad must be mindful, and know what to expect.
They were both wise, to indeed understand: all life is exciting, though all life can’t be planned.
It can be prepared for, and so that’s what they’d do. I know this story’s fantastic, but I swear it’s all true.
Living is quite costly, and they shouldn’t spend too much, buying things they didn’t need, and drifting further out of touch.
Savings are important, especially when you’re young – if you wish to climb life’s ladder without slipping down a rung.
As Promise grew, her needs would too. The pressure would surely mount. Before we get too busy, let’s pause and start to count:
College, car, a wedding day; plus, Mom and Dad could bet, their Promise would need at least ten things, not invented yet.
Now here’s the rub – the problem large, at which Mom and Dad were staring: how could they do what should be done and keep their daughter caring?
They wanted Promise to have the World, while staying nice and gracious; like living in a one room flat, and thinking that it’s spacious.
They did not want to spoil her, or cause her head to swell. No, Promise must be humble and she must treat others well.
They would keep her savings secret, until she could understand, that the finest things in life are those you gain with your own hand.
The road was long in front of them. They would have to start their walk. Mom and Dad had a cup of tea and a long and winding talk.
They had to save more money, but they had none left to save. They would need to change some habits, and financially behave.
A little isn’t much, until time prods it toward a lot. Just keep adding, rain or shine, and soon that’s what you’ve got.
Mom and dad, each one had, some things they could improve. It’s the little things that mean a lot when you financially improve.
Dad went to the Jolt-N-Bolt to help him stay awake.
He loved their roasted coffee and the muffins they would bake.
Mom bought lots of magazines and fancy haircuts too. She quit with both these luxuries; the least that she could do.
Day by day, Mom and Dad, gathered all their extra cash. At the end of the month, a BIG surprise, look how much they had stashed.
Three hundred bucks, and yes I know, it sure sounds like a lot. But let’s add lots of time on top, and then see what we’ve got.
When you gather lots of money, your horizons are uncurled, and that’s why compound interest is the Eighth Wonder of the World.
At three-hundred a month, for five straight years, they now had twenty-five grand. Let’s not get too excited. Instead, let’s watch these funds expand.
Three-hundred a month, was now one-fifty a week, because their interest grew. What an amazing secret, they thought. What if everybody knew?
Mom and dad kept squirreling dough in all the falling years, saving money helped them shed unnecessary fears.
They never gave attention to what everybody knew. Especially with their Promise watching everything they do.
They never spent their dollars on a lot of useless stuff, and when their daughter asked for more, they said, “No, you’ve had enough.”
Let’s skip ahead now, several years, until Promise is nearly grown. Mom and Dad are perfectly proud with the qualities she has shown.
A humble girl, just as they wished. They had taught her many things – like how to think intelligent, and how to spread her wings.
Promise was a modest girl, always willing to work hard. She never failed to pay herself, with her own debit card.
She looked ahead, toward her brightest future yet to come. It was almost time to leave for school, and that is a substantial sum.
But Promise insisted on paying it all – every tuition bill (even though she was clueless she was worth a quarter mil).
Just three-hundred a month could add up to that? How could that possibly be?
It’s the miracle of compound interest. Keep on reading and you’ll see.
Let’s jump ahead seven years. Promise is twenty-five. She is brilliant, bold, and beautiful. She is vividly alive.
She had found someone with whom she wanted to share forevermore, but weddings were expensive; a fact that she could not ignore.
But Promise had saved just enough for the day inside her head. She wanted things to remain quite simple, at least that is what she said.
Promise still had no clue what lay quietly in wait – one half a million dollars, by her pending wedding date.
Our tale concludes with another five years piled on our story. Promise and her husband had worked to finalize their glory.
They had a house, and a baby too, a descendent of their own. Someone they could love and cherish, until he was all grown.
Promise was an angel. She was diligent and kind. Her family’s future never strayed too far outside her mind.
Mom and Dad were ready to tell, and fully confident, that thirty years of saving had been three decades nicely spent.
Just three-hundred a month, every month, in Promise’s account, had blossomed, bloomed and burgeoned into a generous amount.
For Promise, and her family, the sum was oddly strange. Living life was mostly a cinch with a million bucks and change.
Writer Dad
If you enjoyed my words, please subscribe. I’ll be back again on Monday.
About Sean Platt
Hi Writer Dad,
Have you ever thought of writing greeting cards? You poetry would sell bucket loads. (maybe sell them online under your own logo? )
Food for thought. :)
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Casual Friday – Open Mic
Hi Writer Dad,
Have you ever thought of writing greeting cards? You poetry would sell bucket loads. (maybe sell them online under your own logo? )
Food for thought. :)
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Casual Friday – Open Mic
Bravo Writer Dad!
A great lesson.
Promise didn’t miss out on any of the important things in life, and with the lessons learnt along the way, the million is in safe hands.
Will I learn from this lesson? I sincerely hope so.
Cheers
Dave
Bravo Writer Dad!
A great lesson.
Promise didn’t miss out on any of the important things in life, and with the lessons learnt along the way, the million is in safe hands.
Will I learn from this lesson? I sincerely hope so.
Cheers
Dave
Interesting story and very perceptive. Except for some bumps and corrections, there is much there that reminds me of our passage over the last 3 plus decades.
Two daughters on their own…, with some financial bumps and assistance out of the bumps by us. One daughter got married on their tab — we just paid for her dress, which she found at a bargain price. She also made it through college, mostly doing it herself, after quitting when she was younger when we were helping. Other daughter is in retail, an assistant store manager who started out behind the register and didn’t finish college, now with very good prospects for advancement in one of the major US department stores.
And the savings every month and the modest life-style? Been there, done that. We could have and would have paid for the girls’ educations, but they had other things they wanted to do, so we had other things we wanted to do with the money. I retired at age 55 and we get to travel a bit around the USA. They’ll get what’s left, if anything, after we’re gone…, and from time to time, if they need it, we’ll help them out. They’re needing help less and less, and when they do, they get all flustered and upset, even though we tell them that’s what we’re here for, and, these days, they insist on paying us back.
Again, nice story, nice writing.
Mike Goads last blog post..Global Warming? August in Arkansas 2008
Interesting story and very perceptive. Except for some bumps and corrections, there is much there that reminds me of our passage over the last 3 plus decades.
Two daughters on their own…, with some financial bumps and assistance out of the bumps by us. One daughter got married on their tab — we just paid for her dress, which she found at a bargain price. She also made it through college, mostly doing it herself, after quitting when she was younger when we were helping. Other daughter is in retail, an assistant store manager who started out behind the register and didn’t finish college, now with very good prospects for advancement in one of the major US department stores.
And the savings every month and the modest life-style? Been there, done that. We could have and would have paid for the girls’ educations, but they had other things they wanted to do, so we had other things we wanted to do with the money. I retired at age 55 and we get to travel a bit around the USA. They’ll get what’s left, if anything, after we’re gone…, and from time to time, if they need it, we’ll help them out. They’re needing help less and less, and when they do, they get all flustered and upset, even though we tell them that’s what we’re here for, and, these days, they insist on paying us back.
Again, nice story, nice writing.
Mike Goads last blog post..Global Warming? August in Arkansas 2008
Writer Dad,
This was an amazing story. The beginning was crafted with just the words that I could not come up with when my daughter was born. The flow of the words rolled right off my tounge and it was beautifully written. The patience displayed was enough to tug at my heart strings. Although they wanted to give her everything, they waited and it was well worth it. I am glad you are sending this out for the world to know, it is definately a strong message that needed to be told. Thank you Writer Dad, for inspiring me to change, what is a teacher for if nothing is gained? I will definately pass this along to everyone I know and you will see a purchase from me in the very near future.
P.S. What kind of account did Mom and Dad use?
Sals last blog post..Progress makes perfect
Writer Dad,
This was an amazing story. The beginning was crafted with just the words that I could not come up with when my daughter was born. The flow of the words rolled right off my tounge and it was beautifully written. The patience displayed was enough to tug at my heart strings. Although they wanted to give her everything, they waited and it was well worth it. I am glad you are sending this out for the world to know, it is definately a strong message that needed to be told. Thank you Writer Dad, for inspiring me to change, what is a teacher for if nothing is gained? I will definately pass this along to everyone I know and you will see a purchase from me in the very near future.
P.S. What kind of account did Mom and Dad use?
Sals last blog post..Progress makes perfect
Great story and very, very well written. How long did it take you to compile that? My posts can take between 4 and 6 hours yet I’ve never attempted anything like that!
Tim Brownsons last blog post..The Discomfort Zone
Great story and very, very well written. How long did it take you to compile that? My posts can take between 4 and 6 hours yet I’ve never attempted anything like that!
Tim Brownsons last blog post..The Discomfort Zone
Writer Dad, you’ve just succeeded in telling a story we’ve all heard before, but in such a deeply personal way that the lesson really worked. And then you added the twist of personal integrity. Beautiful.
~ Julie
Julies last blog post..The Value of Playing with a Tiger
Writer Dad, you’ve just succeeded in telling a story we’ve all heard before, but in such a deeply personal way that the lesson really worked. And then you added the twist of personal integrity. Beautiful.
~ Julie
Julies last blog post..The Value of Playing with a Tiger
Hello Writer Dad,
I, too, would like to know what type of account Mom and Dad used :)
I wish I had been that diligent when my kids were growing up, but, alas, I wasn’t. I’m recommending your story to my grown children…I’m wondering, how many people will start saving in a different way, just because of reading your story? That’s powerful.
Have a great weekend!
Karen Braswells last blog post..5 Reasons Why Poor People Don’t Vote & Why They Might Vote In The Upcoming Election
Hello Writer Dad,
I, too, would like to know what type of account Mom and Dad used :)
I wish I had been that diligent when my kids were growing up, but, alas, I wasn’t. I’m recommending your story to my grown children…I’m wondering, how many people will start saving in a different way, just because of reading your story? That’s powerful.
Have a great weekend!
Karen Braswells last blog post..5 Reasons Why Poor People Don’t Vote & Why They Might Vote In The Upcoming Election
Thank you for gifting us with your words. A little bit of savings can go along way. Would you beleive I am off right now to meet my financial planner for the first time. Talk about good timing and good karma.
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Thank you for gifting us with your words. A little bit of savings can go along way. Would you beleive I am off right now to meet my financial planner for the first time. Talk about good timing and good karma.
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Barbara: Honestly, yes, I have thought about it. It is definitely on the table.
Dave: Thank you, and thank you.
Mike: Congratulations, and good job. If parents are willing to do the hard work early, then we can really enjoy our children later. Thanks for reading and thanks for the compliment.
Sal: Thank you for your constant cheerleading. It has been wonderful. Mom and Dad contributed to a basic no load mutual fund, but as long as they were making intelligent decisions and not buying CD’s, or letting their money go stale inside a money market, the scenario can be plugged into most steady investments.
Tim: It originally wasn’t written as a post. It was written as a short story to tell my daughter. The original skeleton popped out in probably about an hour, but it’s been sanded down for several months since.
Julie: Thank you so much.
Karen: Most investments will work for the scenario. Patience is the real key. I think most of us would choose to do the right thing, as long as we know what the right thing is. But a lot of us don’t know and were never taught.
Stacy: Good luck with your financial planner. It’s really great that you’re taking that step. You will be so happy you did.
Barbara: Honestly, yes, I have thought about it. It is definitely on the table.
Dave: Thank you, and thank you.
Mike: Congratulations, and good job. If parents are willing to do the hard work early, then we can really enjoy our children later. Thanks for reading and thanks for the compliment.
Sal: Thank you for your constant cheerleading. It has been wonderful. Mom and Dad contributed to a basic no load mutual fund, but as long as they were making intelligent decisions and not buying CD’s, or letting their money go stale inside a money market, the scenario can be plugged into most steady investments.
Tim: It originally wasn’t written as a post. It was written as a short story to tell my daughter. The original skeleton popped out in probably about an hour, but it’s been sanded down for several months since.
Julie: Thank you so much.
Karen: Most investments will work for the scenario. Patience is the real key. I think most of us would choose to do the right thing, as long as we know what the right thing is. But a lot of us don’t know and were never taught.
Stacy: Good luck with your financial planner. It’s really great that you’re taking that step. You will be so happy you did.
WOW! There are so many amazing things about this post. The form is one of them. You made it work, and not just for a few stanzas! Also, the story is awesome for several reasons: that you and your wife were a financial planner’s dream couple, so admirably disciplined and determined (but you had a good WHY), and that the story is so touching and beautiful, and that your daughter insisted on paying for everything herself and was then rewarded at such a lovely time in her life.
What a wonderful post with a great moral.
WOW! There are so many amazing things about this post. The form is one of them. You made it work, and not just for a few stanzas! Also, the story is awesome for several reasons: that you and your wife were a financial planner’s dream couple, so admirably disciplined and determined (but you had a good WHY), and that the story is so touching and beautiful, and that your daughter insisted on paying for everything herself and was then rewarded at such a lovely time in her life.
What a wonderful post with a great moral.
Tim, Julie, Karen, and Stacy: I am sorry. I don’t know what happened, but my comments have posted above yours. There must be a hiccup in the space time continuum. I’ll have to look into it.
Steph: Thank you so much, but I should clarify. I just wrote the story. My daughter is still only six. But I do practice what is preached.
Tim, Julie, Karen, and Stacy: I am sorry. I don’t know what happened, but my comments have posted above yours. There must be a hiccup in the space time continuum. I’ll have to look into it.
Steph: Thank you so much, but I should clarify. I just wrote the story. My daughter is still only six. But I do practice what is preached.
Every day I make it a point to check out a blog that I haven’t been to…weather it be through the comments or on a blog roll. Today, I clicked into yours and I am glad I did. I loved your post today. So very true in many aspects. Teaching our children through the way we live is crucial. The lessons they learn will go with them and they will in turn teach their children because of the examples we set for them.
You write amazingly. I will be back.
Loris last blog post..Through the eyes of grace
Every day I make it a point to check out a blog that I haven’t been to…weather it be through the comments or on a blog roll. Today, I clicked into yours and I am glad I did. I loved your post today. So very true in many aspects. Teaching our children through the way we live is crucial. The lessons they learn will go with them and they will in turn teach their children because of the examples we set for them.
You write amazingly. I will be back.
Loris last blog post..Through the eyes of grace
WD,
Superbly written. I knew you wouldn’t disappoint.
When our dreams become reality or our goals come to fruition, it is one of the most gratifying moments in life.
The beauty of the lesson is that the money was not the only gift. You have a great talent and a good heart. Be well.
Ian
WD,
Superbly written. I knew you wouldn’t disappoint.
When our dreams become reality or our goals come to fruition, it is one of the most gratifying moments in life.
The beauty of the lesson is that the money was not the only gift. You have a great talent and a good heart. Be well.
Ian
I’ve never read a poem about compound interest before! Wish I’d been given this advice when I was young.
I’ve never read a poem about compound interest before! Wish I’d been given this advice when I was young.
Inspiring, well written , and very true!
I am an avid investor, by the way, so I totally get the power of compound interest – and the power of long-term investing in the stock market.
Vereds last blog post..Are You A Parent? Stressed Much? You Should Check Out UpToUs
Inspiring, well written , and very true!
I am an avid investor, by the way, so I totally get the power of compound interest – and the power of long-term investing in the stock market.
Vereds last blog post..Are You A Parent? Stressed Much? You Should Check Out UpToUs
Lori: Thank you very much. I’m happy you’ll be back. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Ian: A special thanks to you. Thank you for placing value on my words.
Dot H: If the youth understood that time was their friend, the future would have a different horizon. Thank you for reading.
Vered: Thank you, thank you, and thank you. It isn’t so much the meek who inherit the Earth, it’s the patient.
Lori: Thank you very much. I’m happy you’ll be back. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Ian: A special thanks to you. Thank you for placing value on my words.
Dot H: If the youth understood that time was their friend, the future would have a different horizon. Thank you for reading.
Vered: Thank you, thank you, and thank you. It isn’t so much the meek who inherit the Earth, it’s the patient.
Writer Dad,
Well, I was going to buy a copy of your e-book, but since you’ve discovered compound interest, and I have one graduating college as the other is entering, I’ve decided to forgo the luxury. Thanks!
Seriously, a beautiful post. You’ve not described compound interest, you’ve described compounded love. And THAT, my author friend, is no simple task.
(That little foot image is now burned in my mind. Thank you!)
Rita
Ritas last blog post..The FIRST Time I Almost Got Expelled From College: Part II
Writer Dad,
Well, I was going to buy a copy of your e-book, but since you’ve discovered compound interest, and I have one graduating college as the other is entering, I’ve decided to forgo the luxury. Thanks!
Seriously, a beautiful post. You’ve not described compound interest, you’ve described compounded love. And THAT, my author friend, is no simple task.
(That little foot image is now burned in my mind. Thank you!)
Rita
Ritas last blog post..The FIRST Time I Almost Got Expelled From College: Part II
You’re very talented, I’m sure your children books will do very well. So that was about $10 a day, right? So many people spend that on stuff they don’t even notice they’re buying.
Marelisas last blog post..Slow Down – 32 Ways to Start Now
You’re very talented, I’m sure your children books will do very well. So that was about $10 a day, right? So many people spend that on stuff they don’t even notice they’re buying.
Marelisas last blog post..Slow Down – 32 Ways to Start Now
beautiful, touching and thought provoking post. we’d probably all be a lot happier if we lived the same way.
Naturals last blog post..Traffic: Flaw in Design or Drivers?
beautiful, touching and thought provoking post. we’d probably all be a lot happier if we lived the same way.
Naturals last blog post..Traffic: Flaw in Design or Drivers?
Rita: I’ll make sure that my next Wee-book is about how we as a society should all be patrons of the art that we admire. I think that you’re the first person, other than Daisy, to refer to me as an author rather than a writer. Thank you. I’m looking forward to this weekend.
Marelisa: Exactly. “It’s the little things that mean a lot when you financially improve.”
Natural: Yes, I believe we would.
Rita: I’ll make sure that my next Wee-book is about how we as a society should all be patrons of the art that we admire. I think that you’re the first person, other than Daisy, to refer to me as an author rather than a writer. Thank you. I’m looking forward to this weekend.
Marelisa: Exactly. “It’s the little things that mean a lot when you financially improve.”
Natural: Yes, I believe we would.
It seems like Promise didn’t actually need that money anymore. Maybe there could be a way she could share the wealth with others.
It seems like Promise didn’t actually need that money anymore. Maybe there could be a way she could share the wealth with others.
Great story. It’s poetic and has a great message all around. You’ve definitely got talent.
Chase Marchs last blog post..Welcome to My Talk Show
Great story. It’s poetic and has a great message all around. You’ve definitely got talent.
Chase Marchs last blog post..Welcome to My Talk Show
Singing Water: Promise is sharing her wealth. She’s sharing her story with the world so that they may learn. Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you’ll feed him for a lifetime.
Chase: Thank you Chase. That is very kind.
Singing Water: Promise is sharing her wealth. She’s sharing her story with the world so that they may learn. Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you’ll feed him for a lifetime.
Chase: Thank you Chase. That is very kind.
wow..i came across your blog today actually! really interesting!
i like the pics
http://www.TheBusinessOfMyBusiness.blogspot.com
wow..i came across your blog today actually! really interesting!
i like the pics
http://www.TheBusinessOfMyBusiness.blogspot.com
Author Dad,
YOU seem to be the only person who sees yourself as a “writer.” Anybody – especially anybody with a great Mac – can be a writer. Try on the name change…since the day I first came over here – and I guess we have Alex to thank for that – you have never really fit your chosen blog name in my mind.
Rita
Ritas last blog post..The FIRST Time I Almost Got Expelled From College: Part II
Author Dad,
YOU seem to be the only person who sees yourself as a “writer.” Anybody – especially anybody with a great Mac – can be a writer. Try on the name change…since the day I first came over here – and I guess we have Alex to thank for that – you have never really fit your chosen blog name in my mind.
Rita
Ritas last blog post..The FIRST Time I Almost Got Expelled From College: Part II