No One Ever Told Us That: Money and Life Lessons for Young Adults

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

GETTING RICH: THE UPS AND DOWNS

For many years in the investment business, there were always dangerous moments when market movements were intense, when I could not keep up with what I had to do during a conventional workweek. Occasionally, I'd tell the family (my wife and three children) that I had to go into the office for a few hours on a Saturday or a Sunday. There was an underground parking garage for building employees. You can get a lot done in an empty office: no others to chat with, no phones ringing.

There might have been 200 underground spaces. On a Sunday, perhaps there would be 10 cars scattered on four levels. During the week the building was jammed with lawyers, investment office employees, consultants, and advertising agency employees.

I always noticed when I did my weekend overtime that every car in the garage was the most expensive, high-end, top-of-the-line vehicle there could be. Shining and standing tall. It underscored what my dad always told me. That “Life is work. Whether you want to hear it or not.” And those working the hardest could have the most expensive toys.

If you want the good life for you and your family, there are trade-offs. One of them may be that you have to show up to work, when no one else is there. No one sees you. Except you. Because you're the one who has to make the donuts (which is what I call going to work).

Now, full disclosure: I had dinner with my entire family virtually every night until the kids fled the nest. ...