Trying to figure out how to invest money for my sons future?
365288
I can suggest following things from my experience.\n\n1) 529 good option for college education\n2) UGMA or UTMA\n\nYou can obtain tons of information by searching on above fields. They have tax advantages depending upon your financial condition. Please remember, during financial aid calculation, kids name money taken into consideration. It is 35%.
299613
I would go to Savingforcollege.com and enter my state on the left hand side.  They have many investment options \nI would recommend investing predominately in stocks when they are young and slowly switching to bonds as they get older.  If you don't like stocks you can invest in bonds or money market funds.
366307
First of all, put money in regularly.  Monthly or even weekly if you can.  College is going to be expensive, so the more the better.  Secondly, go with an investment that gives you some tax benefit as well.  Currently, the 529 plan (also called a College Investment Trust) has the money growing tax deferred, and as long as it is withdrawn for qualified higher education expenses it is tax free (this may change-it has a sunset provision for 2010).  Another option is a Coverdell Plan, what used to be called an Educational IRA.  They also allow you to earn with taxes deferred, but you can only put 2k away in them-the limits on the 529 plan are much higher.  The nice thing is that neither of these plans have a really significant impact on a child's ability to get financial aid-unlike having it in just a regular savings account!
808200
You already have several answers suggestion a Roth IRA.  That is an excellent choice, but only if you will not be needing the money until 59 1/2.  It is a retirement account.  There are some exceptions.   You should place some of the 10k where you can get to it in an emergency, maybe 3k.  It is always a good idea to have some cash available.  ING has internet savings accounts that pay 5% with direct transfer to your checking account.  \n\nYou are young so you can afford to be a little aggressive with your money in the hopes that it will yield a very good return over the long term.  Assuming that you would invest 7k,  separate it into 3 about equal piles and invest 1 part in small cap stocks.  Royce Funds has a great selection of them and a terrific track record yielding  about 13% annually over the long term.  1 part in a value stock fund.  There is a decent index fund that is a value fund--EFV.  It has done extremely well so far with a 30% annual return.  But do not expect that to continue.  10 to 12% would be an excellent return.   The last part in a growth stock index fund or mutual fund.  FXI would fall into that category.  It is a China index fund.  Up about 38%  this year.
256128
Start by asking your bank what you can do to save $ for the long run. Maybe a IRA plan? Do you have a full time JOB...if so, ask your employer if they have a 401K plan or anything similar. Stocks too me is just like gambling your money. But whatever suits you
328132
I agree with the mutual fund advice wholeheartedly. However, the advice to reseach on the web is probably not the best advice. \n\nGo to the bank and buy the fund they recommmend even if it has a load. THEN . .  . Stop the bank by once an month with new money to invest (even as little as $20) and talk with the same guy who sold the fund to you and ask him how it's doing . Make him earn his money by motivating you to continue investing, educating you, and building your confidence . . .  you'll get a lot out of that $60 (2% x $3000) that you paid him.
36461
Hi well you can try mutual funds. Especially if you dont have the time to track them and do the research.\n\nGood Luck\n\nPedro
905594
It depends on how risky you want to be.  Do you feel confident about your ability to play the stock market?  If so you could take a chunk and invest it there.  If you are more conservative then I would suggest an ING account or a CD with the highest return of investment.  Usually a 12 month CD will carry a higher return but you cannot access this money easily without paying a penalty.  So if you want a good return with access to your money either a money market or an ING account would probably work best.  Happy investing!
196319
Save money. When you get a couple of hundred open a Roth IRA and start investing in an index fund. Do this at your local bank (easy, cheap, friendly) . . . yeah they get paid out of your funds and later you'll roll over the IRA to Fidelity, Vanguard, etc . . . but for now JUST START the easiest way possible.\n\nPS: Assuming you are young and don't get paid a lot REMEMBER that it doesn't get easier to start saving once you have a house, two cars, a wife, and kids. WORSE, you are older and have less time for your investment to grow. START NOW!
634009
I would suggest that you talk with someone in your bank to begin with. They do have experts in the field.\n\nNow, I have my 401K with Fidelity and like them fine. They are huge and offer many different investment options. They also can give you pretty good advice if you tell them what kind of investments you are interested in (long-term, very stable, higher risk but higher pay-off, gold - not a bad investment these days). \n\nI also have some stock through Scot Trade. It costs only $7 per transaction no matter how many shares you are buying or selling.\n\nNo matter what you do, understand that people can and do both make and lose money in stock markets and real estate. \n\nAnd as strange as it may seem, some of us are able to make over 50% return on our investments per year. Right now, today, I am out of the market and waiting to go back in. *grin*
450413
First I recommend, be patient.  No need to make any quick decision(s).  Keep an open mind, and listen to suggestions.  Think for yourself then, and you will make the appropriate decision.  Look at your circumstances.  If it is a windfall, and not needed right now, take $10000 of it and find a no-load mutual fund as an investment.  Then leave it alone and your investment ought to double about every 7 years.  That is what us "little" people do.  A no-load fund means, no fees to buy and no charges when you sell later on.  Hold the remaining $5000 and think some more.
308174
Visit the company you would like to invest in and see if they offer direct investing.  Some do and some don't.  I bought Ohio Edison direct for a while thinking, if I was going to use electricty, then why not get a dividend from it.  You can buy directly, but you also lose the ability to get that buffer in a middle man, the knowledge, the expertise.  I would advise only investing a smaller sum of money, but I wish you the best of luck.
197445
you sound like a candidate for treasurydirect.com .. Ibonds in a custodial account for the kids. make regular contributions to it.\n\nyou can also look at savingforcollege.com , although I am not a big fan of 529 plans, it may make sense for you.
1096875
That website is a total scam. $1 for just first month premium and then it is adjusted to your current age after that. If you want to do the right thing, you would keep investments separate from insurance.\n\nTwo ways to invest for your children:\n1) Open UGMA/UTMA account at a financial institution\n2) If investment is to be used for college, then open a 529 plan or Coverdell plan.\n\nIf you are looking to get insurance for your children, you would buy a 10, 15, or 20 year term with just $10,000 in coverage. After that, they are old enough to buy their own life insurance.
498699
Start out by buying a standard stock mutual fund, so your money can grow while you're learning; and watch what they do.  Meanwhile, start reading about stocks.  Books like "Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham, "One Up on Wall Street" by Peter Lynch, and maybe something on the Warren Buffett style would be a good start.  Or visit websites like Smart Money or Motley Fool.  \n\nGood luck to you.
277557
Paying $995 a month for 8 months is only about 14.3% interest. I doubt you will find a loan for less than that with bad credit. Since it is your son's education your going to have to pay high interest over a long period of time. Ask your son to pick up a little slack and get a part-time job. Good luck with your future.
905949
find a trustworthy financial adviser to help you invest it.  it should earn an average of at least 10% a year or more..  if you're not earning that much after five years, find a different financial adviser..    it can mean the difference of millions of dollars in the long run..