the richest man in atherstone

Yes, me again.

I salute you. Do remember I am but a private and YOU dear sir are the General (or Capitan) of your life. IOW "me" saluting you is meaningless ... no, no, I wish to restate... it is "value"less. ;o)

and now, back to our program...

The topic of children's savings is interesting and potentially complicated. Can you tell I haven't made up my mind yet?

As happened to me, a small amount was set aside for me and for my brother, almost 7 years my younger. If memory serves, each of us received X # of shares in a different toy co. Rather than try to figure out ROI or whatever, "my" co survived, his went bankrupt. FWIW - I do believe he was then given X # of shares in "my" co, but he missed a split.

This "experience" along with some teaching and reading (WB comes to mind) have influenced my general direction with children's savings. Still, I'm a bit undecided.

BTW - we have one and are considering another. sanity is so overrated. :oP

So, I ask myself, "Self, what about having one pot for all the children?" Then in the process of this comment, I think, "But won't they be too detached from saving, investing and building wealth?"

But then I gently came to this conclusion: "Ah-ha! I've got it! A children's ..." OK, vocabulary is gone. Think "mutual fund" but more like a "holding company." They would receive "stock certificates" and be members of the board of directors and be allowed to vote and and and...

I like this. I wonder if they would pay me for designing the certs? or shop around for a cheaper price? would they go full color crayon on the annual reports? or be ruthlessly cost conscious and state "BYO crayons" in the memo?

I wonder if this would force me to apply the lessons I've learned about investing and not hold on to things just because I think they will go back up.

Other thoughts in rapid fire:

I'm not convinced that everybody should be held back because the first didn't get the same offer. This is my main reason for considering one pot.

Also, at least in my case, it seems more important to make sure us parental units have been money wise and have things taken care of so that we won't be a burden to the wee ones later on.

I'm also curious about how personality will alter the other "income" the children will "get." An example, child A plays happily on the floor with the wrapping paper totally ignoring the present while child B says, "Mommy, mommy can I have a pony?" This may have already been hammered out, but I AM a "new" parent and no matter what I *thought* I knew...

Ooooh! Ooooh! What if it's an investment club or even a partnership a la WB? What if my return is so pathetic they fire me?!?

... or if we get "creative" and do audits and subpoena the shareholders and and and *giggles softly* accuses one of them of insider trading!! :oD

yes yes, it's been one rather tough week.

You, Arkad, are an asset. Because of who you are. Thanks for sharing.

peace & 42

ps - Hopefully not too blasphemous, but ... We plant the seed, another waters, but God gives the increase. It all boils down to being blessed. (but not being lazy!)

pps - another parable had to do with the hiring of workers throughout the day. Each was hired for the same amount of money. Finally, the earlier hire-ies complained that the latter hire-ie was paid the same amount, but for only an hour of work. The boss replied, but you agreed to work for an amount for an amount of time. What difference should it make to you what another is hired for? (I've also heard... Besides, it's my money. Shouldn't I do with my money as I see fit?)

OK, so maybe not as related to the children's savings as I had hoped as they haven't agreed to anything... until they combine their voting rights and there is mutiny!

Note to self: Hold more shares than all kids together.