This article will try to help you understand how important it is to plan for your child’s financial freedom. On top of this, you’ll also learn some of the better ways to invest the money you save during this time.
Among the many things you can do for your children, one of the best is providing them with financial freedom when they grow up. However, knowing how and when to invest your money is a difficult task, at least for someone new to the market. If you feel this applies to you, then it’s your lucky day, because you’re going to learn a lot by the end.
Apart from learning some basic investing strategies, you’ll also learn to tell the difference between saving and investing while also finding the best investment option for your circumstances.
Just press on and learn more!
Do you know what financial freedom is?
The concept of financial freedom is a subjective one. While it means the right to do what you want with your money for some, others find it to be synonymous with getting rid of debt and living in the blue.
However, the most rational approach to this would be that financial freedom means having the power to make the choices you want. With financial freedom you can make decisions without financial issues being an obstacle you’ll run into. What this means is that being financially free is synonymous with choosing your own path in life.
But be careful, as financial freedom is not the same thing as financial independence. Even though you are financially free, you’ll still need an income to survive, meaning you’re dependent on someone to maintain your living conditions. In turn, this also means that financial freedom isn’t locked behind a large sum of money that you must first achieve.
Why plan for your child’s financial freedom?
Before parenting a child, we usually think about the expenses involved and plan for the new addition to the family. This planning, however, is usually short-term, and people dedicate most of their time to the first months/years of a child’s life. Ideally, you’ll want to strike a balance between short and long-term finances.
Have you ever stopped to think that being a parent is synonymous with being responsible for someone else for the rest of your life? That doesn’t mean they’ll depend on you forever, of course. But, there are some habits you could adopt right now that will make your child’s life much easier in the future.
After all, you can’t just give up when they’re preparing to take the entrance exam and you’ve got no clue how to pay the college tuition, right? Planning your child’s financial freedom is providing them with quality of life and financial security, while also affording yourself some peace of mind in the future.
As you may have heard, money does make dreams come true, or at least, makes them possible. Whether it’s a university course, a student exchange abroad, or a vacation trip with their friends, the fact remains that your child’s dreams require some preparation.
Save or invest?
In the past, it was fairly common for parents to create a savings account in their child’s name. The child would then gain access to all this money the moment they turn 18. But, is this the best option? It’s hard to praise a strategy that’s gone out of style in recent times, probably because an 18-year-old still isn’t responsible enough to be handling all that money.
Understanding the difference between saving and investing is crucial if you want to secure your child’s financial freedom. To put it simply, saving is restricted to the act of saving money, while investing is linked to the act of putting your money to work and growing your financial assets with the power of time
What do you think is best for your child: for them to have access to a certain amount that you saved for many years or for them to have their financial freedom made possible through good investment? It’s a question that answers itself.
How to provide your child with financial freedom?
Now that you’ve understood why your child’s future is important and why you should start prepping for it as soon as possible, it’s time to move on to other matters. Do you know what practical steps you should take to provide your children with financial freedom? Check out the ones below!
Keep finances organized
You won’t be able to think about the future if you’re unable to see your current situation. Therefore, you should always have your expenses organized and have a clear image of your financial state. It’s these factors that will let you know how much you can invest in your child’s financial freedom.
Set goals and objectives
Knowing where you want to go is one of the first steps for you to succeed in your journey. The same logic can be applied to your child’s future! Set goals and objectives related to their financial freedom and plan what you need to do to make those plans come true. Keep track of the milestones in your child’s life and allocate the necessary funds accordingly. The important thing is preparing for the future you’ve got planned for them.
Have discipline and commitment
If you count on last month’s leftover money to invest in your child’s future, you’re not going to get far. It is essential to commit to this investment each month and act as if this amount were a fixed expense that you mustn’t fail to pay. Reserve that amount before spending it on leisure or other superfluous things!
Make good choices when investing
There is no shortage of investment options and you need to know which ones represent the best choice when it comes to your child’s financial freedom.
Financial education is also important
Even if you invest in your child’s future and financial freedom, you won’t be able to make financial decisions for them forever. This is why financial education should start at an early age, even if it’s just teaching your kid the importance of money. Teach your child to have a good relationship with money and to be responsible with it until they’re earning their own.
Even if they still don’t have their income, having financial education will be important for your child to reach financial freedom. If you make them understand the importance of priorities, for example, it will be easier for them to give up something they want now, in favor of something the future will bring.