Long term investment for my child - help!

popemeister

Hi all,
I am hoping someone can advise me. I wish to invest some money for my son who was born 5 days ago.
I say 'invest' because I have a high risk attitude and would prefer to start something with potential for bigger gains than a savings account (I am aware of the potential to lose also).
I want to invest £100 per month (and perhaps ad-hoc sums).
I have been looking at various investments from ISA's to actively managed funds (which appear to have much higher charges).
Its all getting rather complex working out the effect of charges against what I am paying in etc.
Has anyone else looked at this? Or can anyone advise a good investment vehicle considering my attitude to risk and the amount I am investing? I should point out that a scheme that is completely self managed is out of the question (time and knowledge restrictions!)
I'd be really greatful for any help!
Many thanks :-)

Accountant_Kerry

If you don't feel comfortable managign this yourself you need to approach an IFA really. I am doing a similar thing but have decided to take the time to manage this myself.

riskyb

hi ya,


There are thousands here who can probably answer your question so fingers crossed one of them reads it.
I am in the same position as you (my baby is 9months) and have a ‘higher risk’ attitude as you. However I have chosen to go down the self managing route because I think it is doable even with not much time and especially bearing in mind the smallish amount that you are currently looking to invest. Also you are planning to drip feed money in you can ride the market lows and highs out. Could you have time to look at performance etc say 2 or 3 times a year?

You are looking at a long investment time frame here
You say you have done some research so I assume that you know what funds are? i currently believe that over the longer term emerging markets, commodities and Asia pacific funds are where you will get good returns. Mind you these are very high risk funds. Most funds that I put my money in (see list below) have relatively low charges and if the returns are very good then I personally think that their charges don’t matter. n

I have done two things re investments for my child.
1) I invested the child trust fund via selftrade. This is a self select CTF. I invest via the Aberdeen emerging market fund. Since earlier this year the fund is up about 18%, In my view this is one of the best all round emerging markets funds out there with something like a 30 strong management / research team making the decisions.

2) I also invest in a Self select ISA via hargreaves lansdown. Buying and selling funds through them is pretty much free in an ISA and it is very easy and straight forward to do so. I prefer doing most of the investing via an ISA as you get more control over what happens to the money rather than the CTF. With Hargreaves lansdown you can put £50 a month into a fund. In your case that means you can put your money into 2 funds.


Funds I put money in included:
Resources- JPM Natural Resources, First State Global Resources
China- Gartmore china opportunities,
Emerging markets- Aberdeen Emerging markets and First State global Emerging market leaders
BRIC- Allianz BRIC fund
See the links below for more ideas

I think trustnet gives you fund managers ratings etc
http://www.citywire.co.uk/money/charlie-parker-where-i-am-investing-my-sipp/a396222/full

i better stop yacking at you - i just wanted you to reconsider self managing your investment. Good luck with whatever decision you end up making.
http://www.h-l.co.uk/
http://www.citywire.co.uk/money/selection

System

Education
One to one attention, encouragement, walks, camping trips, outings
Good diet
Play time, preferable outside.
Music, reading, arts

Anything that develops your son's mind and expands his mental horizons will be the best investment he can receive.

An hour of your time going for a walk with him in his baby sling, talking to him, will be worth a lot more than £100 in 20 years time.


That's an alternative view - money's important too of course