As I prepare to become a mom, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I truly want to pass down to my child.
Of course, money matters. But the best gift we can give our kids isn’t a trust fund — it’s a toolkit. A toolkit for resilience, confidence, and building wealth with purpose.
I learned about money the hard way—by trial and error. And while I want to spare my child some of those bumps, I don’t want to remove every challenge. Because confidence isn’t handed down — it’s earned by figuring things out.
Here’s my plan: Open a Custodial Roth IRA when they start earning (babysitting, dog walking, lawn mowing). It grows tax-free and teaches them how money works.
Use the 50-25-25 rule:
- Save 50%
- Spend 25%
- Give 25%
Generosity and discipline matter equally. And so does learning how to make a life, not just a living.
It’s not about making things easy — it’s about making them capable.
For more practical money advice for every stage of life, catch Your Money Minute with Candy Valentino, every Thursday at 10am on WCPO 9.
DISCLAIMER: Your Money Minute is furnished by Bandit Productions
