Hands up who likes thinking about finance? No? Me neither. It’s one of those tedious tasks that always gets pushed to the bottom of my ‘to-do’ list. I know some of you might love numbers and thinking about interest rates and the like is an enjoyable pastime for you (my brother is one of these people. He finds creativity in numbers. I just don’t ‘get’ it) but me? No. In true 1950s housewife style, I usually ask my husband about these things.* It’s not that I’m completely ignorant, I just need someone to explain things to me in a really simple way before I get it.
Spring, traditionally a time of rebirth and all that, tends to be a good time for me to dust away the cobwebs and start giving some thought to my future. This year my thoughts are on future finances. I know I need to write a will. Thirty-*coughs and mumbles* might seem young to be considering this, but sometimes people go before they expect to and as my Mum didn’t have a will, I know the extra grief this can cause for those left behind. I, however, fully expect to live a long life so I also need to review my pension, to make sure Mushroom doesn’t grow up thinking he needs to provide for me in my old age. I need to make sure I have enough funds to look after myself, so that he can get on with the business of living his life.
It’s all rather grown-up, isn’t? Enough to give me a headache anyway. So, I’m starting with thinking about Mushroom’s future. Mr B did plenty of research when Mushroom was born, and we decided very early on to open a high interest savings account that will transfer to adult status when he turns 16, unless we decide to continue being trustees – which, to be honest, we probably will for a bit. Who’s ready for a windfall at 16? However, we do pay tax on the interest on this account. This year, I’ve been thinking about adding to this, after all, perhaps it’s best not to have all Mushroom’s (nest) eggs in one basket (I know, I know, I can hear you groaning from here). So, when the lovely people at moneysupermarket.com got in touch to ask if I’d be interested in having a look at their Junior ISA infographic, the timing could not have been better.
What’s an infographic?
‘A graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly’ (thanks, Wikipedia)
Basically, it’s an ‘idiots guide’ in picture form. Here’s the one about Junior ISAs:
Having had a good look at this, it really does simplify the complicated world (to me) of finance into something that I understand. There are pros and cons of taking out a junior ISA so I’m still undecided as to whether I will do this, but seeing as I found the above useful, I thought perhaps you might too…
If you are considering taking out an ISA for your chicks this Easter (They’re coming thick and fast today, huh? Maybe I should be a comedian. I’m wasted here), then now is the time to do so as the new tax year starts on 6 April.
How are you providing for your childrens’ future? Have you got savings/ISAs/something else? If not, what are you thinking of doing? I’d love to hear different ideas as, like I said, I am still undecided! Do leave a comment below.
