Being Financially Secure is Power

"Follow your passion" – sounds inspiring, doesn't it? Many young professionals have grown up with this mantra, often without regard for the financial rewards a particular career might offer. While I firmly believe that passion and genuine interest are essential ingredients for excellence in any field, it would be unwise to ignore the financial realities of your chosen path.

When I talk to my kids about money, I make a clear distinction between pursuing wealth for the sake of feeling rich and pursuing financial security. The latter offers something far more meaningful—power, and to a certain extent, freedom.

What do I mean by that? Financial security gives you the power to make decisions that are not driven solely by short-term financial pressure. It lets you plan long-term, take risks, and choose opportunities that align with your values—even if they don’t offer the biggest paycheck right away.

No, money should never be the end goal in and of itself. But it is undeniably a powerful tool—a means to achieve things that would otherwise be out of reach. While money isn’t everything, financial independence is a crucial milestone on the path to a fulfilling life and a sustainable, successful career.

My advice?  Follow your passion, but do so with a parallel commitment to building financial stability. The greatest career freedom comes when you can make choices based on growth and purpose rather than immediate necessity. The sooner you do, the more control you’ll have over the life and career you truly want.