When we think of investing we always think of money and finance but there is a lot more to investment than just money. When we make an investment we are giving part of ourselves with hopes of making a return in the future.

Everything we do is an investment which could be investing time at work to earn money to live or for investment in our savings plans for the future or we are investing time at home with our families but whatever we do we are making an investment with the assumption that we benefit in some way in the long term.

There is nothing as important to us as parents, as our children. We devote a large part of our lives to seeing that our children are OK. We invest significant amounts of our time and our money in an attempt to help our children succeed and be happy in their lives. We put them in first place and our own needs come second to anything we believe will benefit them.

So when we invest so much in our children we hope that there will be a good return. The return, in this case, is their success and happiness but there are plenty of parents out there who have given everything to their kids but their kids have not responded or even appreciated what has been given up to help them succeed.

The most important thing you can do for your children is to ensure they have a good education. Without a good education their chances of success are greatly reduced. Unfortunately, though you can take a horse to water, you cannot make it drink and our kids are just like that. You cannot force them to learn, all you can do is give them every opportunity to learn.

So what can we learn as parents from this? The most important thing you can do for your child is to encourage them to want to learn. If they have an enthusiasm for reading they will go on to learn without even realising they are learning. They will soak up knowledge constantly as part of their daily lives and they will have an interest in the world that encourages them to develop themselves and progress.

The key to success in education is to want it. The key to success in life is a good education and an eagerness to succeed. It follows, therefore, that the key thing in your investment in your children is that you invest in the right way so that they want the education you are helping them receive. Money invested by you in a college course that they don’t want to do is unlikely to show a good return on your investment. You need to start much earlier than that.

When your kids are young invest your time and read stories to them, as they get older read stories with them and encourage them to read along with you. As they grow older supply them with the books they WANT to read. It may not be to your taste but if they want to read then encourage that enthusiasm.

When they are in their teens help them in any way you can. Support them in their interests and encourage their hopes and their ideas. Spend the time helping them with homework. If they are willing get them to spend time taking extra curricular lessons to overcome any difficulties they are having at school and develop their understanding. If you have always encouraged them to want to learn then they will enjoy the relaxed learning environment where they can better understand what they are taught at school.

Investing in your children is not just about paying for them through college. It is a lifetime commitment with the most crucial times being from around 5 to 15. It is a big investment but perhaps the most significant investment you will make in your life. Encourage your children to want to learn and you will have given them the best possible start in life and there is a good chance you will see that time you spent on your children as your best investment ever.

Money Magic: Seven Simple Steps to True Financial Freedom (Quick Reads)

A new report out today shows clearly that the credit crunch is starting to bite everybody. The report from the AXA insurance group tells us that Middle Britain is facing financial turmoil with households with better than average incomes are stating to struggle with their financial commitments. This may come as something of a surprise to some. We expect those on lower incomes to feel the pinch but often the better off don’t see a lot of significant changes when money is tight.

According to this study 72% of those households with an income of £30,000 or more plan to take steps to reduce their costs and cut spending. Perhaps most remarkable is the discovery that 15% of the more affluent households have been put in the situation where they have had to get a second job or some previously non-working member of the family has taken up a job.

Some of those in this middle Britain income bracket are also finding they have had to reduce their pension contributions or even use up pension savings to help manage their current lifestyle with 15% saying that this was due to the burden of high house prices and another 15% reporting that paying their debts will be their biggest problem facing them.

There is little doubt that money is getting tight throughout society which will continue to impact on business across the board. Reduced spending on the luxuries that have become commonplace must make a difference to so many of those businesses which have benefited in recent years. I suspect many restaurants, bars and jewellery and fashion shops will be feeling the pinch quite soon. Keep an eye out and you should be seeing the ‘SALE’ signs going up in a store near you.

Money Magic: Seven Simple Steps to True Financial Freedom (Quick Reads)

The banks have finally got their act together on the matter of transfering cash. The standard period for digital transfers has up till now been several days but from the 27th May 2008 the whole of the banking system in the United Kingdom should be able to make transfers within 24 hours.
The new service will operate 24 hours per day and seven days per week but will initially only operate for personal customers with business customers being brought into the same system later. The banking industry hopes that most transactions will happen instantaneously.
They have taken their time getting there and required a push from the OFT back in 2005 but congratulations to the banking system. They seem to have got there in the end.

Money Magic: Seven Simple Steps to True Financial Freedom (Quick Reads)