A 15-minute plan to start your child’s investment account
Opening an investment account takes less time than you think. Follow this 15-minute plan to get started today.
By the UNest team · 2 min read
A quick, shame-free plan to start a child’s investing habit. Automate $25/month and keep it simple with UNest.
What’s happening
Many families feel squeezed by everyday costs. The Consumer Price Index is updated monthly, so prices for groceries, gas, and childcare can shift from month to month; see the latest BLS release here: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm. If you’re juggling bills, starting small with your child’s savings can still make a difference over time.
Ready to start saving for your child?
Open a custodial account in minutes and invest a little each month.
Get StartedWhy it matters for your family
A simple, automatic habit is often easier to keep than a big one-time push. Even $25 a month into a kids’ savings account helps build a cushion for future needs like school supplies, a first car, or training after high school. If you choose to invest, remember that values can go down as well as up. Consistent contributions and a long timeline may help you stay the course. You can start in minutes. UNest makes it straightforward to open and manage a dedicated account for your child: https://unest.co/get-started.
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Tiny move today
**Open a **UNest UTMA and automate $25/month. Small, steady contributions may help you stay consistent through market ups and downs.
Good to know
- A UTMA is a custodial account held for a minor. Money gifted to the account is generally irrevocable and must be used for the child’s benefit. Rules can vary by state.
- Assets in a UTMA typically transfer to the child at your state’s age of majority. At that point, the young adult controls the funds.
- UTMA funds can cover more than college. They may be used for a wide range of expenses that benefit the child, like extracurriculars, a laptop, or test fees.
- UTMAs are investment accounts, not bank deposit accounts, so they are not FDIC insured. Investment values can fluctuate and you could lose money.
- 529 plans are designed for qualified education expenses and can have tax advantages. A UTMA is more flexible on spending but has different tax treatment. Compare options based on your family’s needs and state rules.
You don’t need a perfect plan to begin. Start small and automate. When you’re ready, get started with UNest here: https://unest.co/get-started.
