The Rule of 72

My Wife just emailed me this note (just after asking if I minded whether she purchased a pitcher for an upcoming dinner party), and it’s clear that she understands me completely:

Hypothetical conversation with your hypothetical future daughter:
—————
‘Hey dad…can I borrow six dollars allowance?’

‘Why?’

‘Umm…because’

‘Honey, why? You can tell me.’

‘I want to get a pitcher.’

‘Six dollars? Honey isn’t that a lot of money? Think of what you could put that money towards. You could invest early and be a billonaire by the time you were thirty and then you would have the financial freedom to travel the world like mommy and daddy have always talked about doing. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Daddy can show you which stocks are looking good right now.’

—- ‘So can I have the six dollars daddy?’

‘Yes, here you go.’