July 18, 2017

Teaching Your Kids To Invest

Category: Kids & Money
Over the past several years, I have been interested in asking great fund managers how they teach their kids to invest.

It’s something I believe has been sorely lacking in traditional education. I for one would have been much better off if the principles of investing were taught to me in school (not to mention managing credit cards, debt and savings!)

The answers from these experts have been varied.

Some have bought their children shares in their early teens. Others have started an earnings system from housework, where their children are encouraged to save a percentage to invest. Some have bought them a managed fund at birth.

The one thing, however, that they have all had in common is the fact that they got their children started early.

Most agreed that primary school years were good for teaching the value of money, and savings. In a world of instant gratification, getting kids to understand early that they cannot, and should not have everything they want is a challenge in itself. The ability of not comparing what they have to what others kids have is also right up there.

High school seems to be the time most professional investors start exposing their children to investment lessons. One lesson that I loved was from Kerr Neilson from Platinum. He believed that asking your children to be interested in a company, and to understand that company, was incredibly important to spark their passion in investing.

Whether it be tech stocks, medical or media, he believes that if young people have a passion or interest in a sector or an individual organisation, they should own some shares in it (it does not have to be worth much at all), and track the share price versus what’s happening at the organisation. This, he believes, will help to ingrain a life-long interest in investing.

And we all know that the magic of compounding means that the earlier you start, the better off you can be.

While schools seem to have come some way in teaching kids about finance and financial planning, there is still a long way to go.

Companies like netwealth are doing their part by sponsoring youth-created organisations like Banqer, which teaches kids how to invest and grow wealth in the classroom, which is great to see the industry getting involved in.

One thing is for certain. No longer is it enough to teach our kids through traditional education and life skills. In a world where property may be out of reach of most, unless they have wealth creation skills, it’s going to be tough.

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  • From Clear Tax on Should You Help Your Kids Buy Property Now? What to Weigh Before Giving an Early Inheritance

    Helping children with property can be complex. Professional advice on structuring gifts or loans, including tax and Centrelink considerations, can make a significant difference in long-term outcomes.

  • From ANTOINETTE COLBRAN on Navigating Your 50's: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom in Retirement

    Natallia – you’ve said it so well. The message here I think is about consistency. Consistency in checking what’s going in and what’s creeping out. A review of finances to keep on track on interest rates, investment opportunities and Superannuation top ups. Many of us in our businesses self contribute to Super – we easily get behind. It’s part of our financial literacy homework. Get going ladies.

  • From Kids Debit Card on Changing Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids

    The goal of the following article is to assist parents have meaningful conversations with their children about money and financial literacy by providing them with practical guidance and useful recommendations. The author discusses goal-setting, budgeting, saving, and investing, and offers advice on how to have these discussions with people of varying ages. The essay is informative and easy to read, making it a valuable tool for parents who want to teach their children about money.

    For More Info:-https://busykid.com/kids-debit-card/

    • From admin on Changing Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids

      Thanks for your comments!

  • From Gale Pickles on It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

    So enjoyed this, I will share if that’s okay with you, many of my friends will benefit from your journey.
    Many Blessings for 2023
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  • From ScottViabe on Three ways to embrace change to improve your life

    Hi all! This is a good site.

  • From David Horton on How Finfluencers are teaching millennials and Gen Z about money

    And once again the regulator finds a way to stop ordinary people from getting advice by placing high costs on people who do the right thing. If a finfluencer is actually trying to scam someone, it would not be hard to operate outside Australian jurisdiction.

    • From admin on How Finfluencers are teaching millennials and Gen Z about money

      They definitely have a place. People need advice and many are working on it to be more accessible. Watch this space!

  • From Camelia on IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR YOU

    It’s never too late to learn something new and to start all over again. Unless you’re dead, you can do it.

    • From admin on IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR YOU

      So true

Each day I wake up excited to inspire everyday people to open up and take control of their money, regardless of their history, goals, or savings amount. About Vanessa >>

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