How do you get children interested in the stock market and instill a life long appreciation for the need to save and invest? The earlier you start interesting children in investing and saving, the better their prospects for a financially independent future. One way is to buy shares of specific stocks that kids recognize. Unfortunately on-line brokers that charge minimal commissions, usually require a minimum purchase of $1,000. Even through discount brokers, commissions on purchasing just one or two shares can be expensive. Rather than purchase individual company shares you may find it’s cheaper to invest in a mutual fund that holds some of the above companies in its portfolio. There are a few that allow an opening investment of just $100. With a mutual fund it’s easy for the child to make additional investments with cash gifts from birthdays or special achievements. You and your child will need to first decide on the companies and then compare your options based on convenience and cost-effectiveness. Regardless of whether you or your children are actually buying the stock or mutual fund, purchases for minors under the age of 18 must be made through a custodial account. An adult, usually one of the parents, is registered on the account as custodian for the child. That parent controls the account. The account bears the child’s social security number, not the custodial parent’s.
Naming an IRA Beneficiary Deciding whom to name as your IRA beneficiary can be fraught with land mines, particularly if you want to stretch out the IRA into future generations. Failing to name a beneficiary is the worst mistake you could make with an IRA. If you die without naming a beneficiary, your IRA will go through the costly and time-consuming probate process. Naming a beneficiary can allow you to take smaller Required Minimum Distributions from your IRA since the withdrawal amount can be over two life expectancies rather than just your own. If you’re married, naming your spouse as your IRA beneficiary makes...Read More
