Picking out your baby’s name is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking tasks as a parent. Should you go with a trendy moniker or stick with a classic?
Luckily, the Social Security Administration keeps a “popular baby name” database that may have all the answers. The SSA compiles a list of the top 1,000 names each for boys and girls every year and 1920 is no exception. So what names from a century ago still have staying power?
It’s no surprise that the popularity of certain names changes over time, but it is a little astonishing to see that some popular names in the 1920s are still alive and well today. You probably know a few Elizabeths, Annas, Evelyns, and Roses.
Popular Girl Names in the 1920s
Mary
Dorothy
Helen
Margaret
Ruth
Mildred
Virginia
Elizabeth
Frances
Anna
Betty
Evelyn
Marie
Doris
Alice
Florence
Irene
Lillian
Louise
Rose
When it comes to boys, classics like John, William, Robert, James, Charles, Thomas, and Jack were popular names in the 1920s and still holding strong today,
Popular Boy Names in the 1920s
John
William
Robert
James
Charles
George
Joseph
Edward
Frank
Richard
Thomas
Harold
Walter
Paul
Raymond
Donald
Henry
Arthur
Albert
Jack
If you’d like to get a glimpse of the entire list from 1920, or search any other year, head to the Social Security Administration’s Popular Baby Names database.
Whether your babe’s got a name with staying power or something decidedly 2000s, make sure to capture all their cutest moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
Especially when we’re rolling up on the holidays, it makes total sense to start thinking about bumping up your home security. When you’re making travel plans, when your kids are home during school break, when you’re hosting loved ones, making sure you feel like your home is as secure as possible. Of course, no one can guarantee safety. But with DIY home security systems, taking steps to have an extra eye on the people and things you love most is super easy.
Another bonus of DIY home security systems? You can easily customize them. Whether you’re interested in a couple of cameras that you can tap into on your phone, or looking for a full top-to-bottom setup with door sensors, doorbells, and keypads, these systems let you decide what’s best for you. Below are some great options (and some bonus Black Friday deals).
Started by 3 former Amazon employees, Wyze launched with the idea that smart home products should be accessible to everyone. Today, their first product, the Wyze Cam OG, is still one of their most popular, but they’ve added a ton of different options. Indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, garage door controllers, and even an app-controlled camera car, plus security monitoring plans. Wyze offers some of the most cost-effective home security products out there. They also offer lifestyle products like keypad locks and sprinkler automation, so your whole home can be Wyze smart. Right now, get up to 50% off your favorite Wyze products.
There’s a really good chance you’ve heard of SimpliSafe. They’ve been around since 2006, and currently work to protect more than 4 million homes in the U.S. and United Kingdom. Their products are designed to blend into your home with clean, minimal lines that disappear into the background. SimpliSafe offers full 24/7 monitoring, standard monitoring, and self-monitoring plans at super reasonable prices, and you can customize your system with everything from key fobs to smart locks and glass-break sensors. And this Black Friday, take 60% off a new system + get a free outdoor camera with Fast Protect monitoring.
The original Ring Video Doorbell has been making sure no one misses Taco Night since 2012, but they’ve expanded over the years. Every product they make is designed to work together within your own home, as well as connect you with your neighbors and neighborhood happenings through their app. Video doorbells, alarm systems, car systems, and the option of a live Virtual Security Guard make Ring one of the most customizable systems out there. For Black Friday, save up to 50% on select Ring devices.
Cove is one of the newer kids on the block, launching in 2018 with the idea that home security systems should be simple and priced fairly. The Cove Hub is at the heart of it all, connecting all your home sensors to Cove’s monitoring systems. It uses an ethernet system so you don’t have to rely completely on wi-fi, and installation is designed to take around 30 minutes. Customize it with glass-break sensors, door sensors, and indoor/outdoor cameras. Right now, take 65% off equipment + get a free outdoor camera.
What can’t Google do, right? They have a ton of offerings from cellular to audio, but they also offer door locks, cameras, and video doorbells that work together. You can keep an eye on your home at all times, get notified of deliveries, and use the Google Nest Hub to keep it all connected. Google also lets you select front door or outdoor monitoring, so you can decide what system works best for your home. Some of Google’s best deals of the year are happening this Black Friday, too.
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Known for being enthusiastic and cool, babies with a November birthday also have some serious star power
If you know a few nonagenarians whose birthdays are in November, it might not be a coincidence. According to research, being born in November may well mean having a longer lifespan, among other unique traits. Sure, babies born in August are known for their positive attitudes, babies born in September are said to have strong bones, and babies born in October might be just a little bit taller. But people with November birthdays? Well, they stand out from the crowd, and we’d like to tell how.
Turns out, November is one of the most uncommon months to be born. In fact, according to this handy chart compiled using data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Social Security Administration, six of the rarest birthdays of the year, including Thanksgiving Day, are in November.
Not everyone can make the first string, but there are fewer bench warmers among this bunch. According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, kids with a November birthday are often fitter and stronger than those born in other months when measured for cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength, and lower-body power. There's a clear physical advantage for those born in fall, researchers indicated, while also using this information to explain some bias in sports selection, particularly those leagues and schools with September age cut-off.
They're Strong at Heart
While heart disease is an unfortunately common ailment, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that those born in November are least likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. A look at 10 cardiovascular conditions showed that people born in autumn are more protected than those born in winter.
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They Lead Longer Lives
It’s pretty rare to live to be 100. Less than 1 percent of all Americans will make it to a full century, but if you’re born in November, chances are better that you’ll be among the few. Researchers from the University of Chicago found that babies born from September to November are more likely to become centenarians (or 100-year-olds) than those born in any other month. Being female, having good genetics, and a higher socioeconomic status can also help get you into the 100-plus birthday club.
Left-handers make up just 10 percent of the population, but if you have a November birthday, you may well be one of them. More specifically, boys born during November are more likely to be lucky lefties, according to research published in Cortex journal. Scientists suspect this may be tied to pregnant women's early exposure to sunlight, which can increase testosterone levels and result in left-handedness.
They’re A-Listers
Just about every month has a few birthday claims to fame, but none quite as stellar as November. Celebrities born in November include Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johansson, Martin Scorsese, Jodie Foster, and Ryan Gosling. It’s pretty clear that November babies are destined to be among the accomplished award-winners.
If you or your child has a November birthday, that means you or they are either a Scorpio (birthdays through Nov. 21) or a Sagittarius (Nov. 22 on). The ever-passionate Scorpio is known for being intuitive, brave, and hard-working, while fun-loving Sagittarius kids are recognized for their honesty, enthusiasm, and spontaneity. So, what does that mean? It means that if you're born in November, you must have a pretty great personality!
They Are Cool as Cucumbers
November babies have two birthstones: the topaz, which symbolizes calmness, and the citrine, also known for its tranquil energy. The stones both signify the serene, as well as prosperity, fortune and joy. No wonder people born in November are so cool! And both of these beautiful birthstones are more affordable than others, making a jewelry-related gift for people with November birthdays a bigger and better possibility.
Pop Quiz: Do you know how the Lakers got their name? Or which Disney princess has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? All the answers and more LA-inspired trivia, right this way.
LA is a magical place and along with that, comes some magical history and only-in-LA trivia. Impress your family and stump the kids with these little-known Los Angles facts. How many do you know?
1. In 1978, Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other characters with their own star include Minnie Mouse, Shrek, Winnie the Pooh, and Big Bird. Oh, and Donald Duck, too! And only one Disney Princess has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hint: She survived a poisonous apple. Yep, Snow White.
2. A whopping 202 street lamps make up the Urban Lights installation in front of LACMA. And the coolest part? All of those 202 lamps are from the 1920s and 1930s and were originally spread throughout Southern California.
Courtesy of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection – Los Angeles Public Library
3. It used to snow about once a decade in Los Angeles and actually stick to the ground. The picture above is La Brea Blvd. in 1921. Unfortunately, it hasn't snowed since 1962—we are in a 50-year-plus snow drought.
4. The carousel, now located at the Santa Monica Pier, was originally built in 1922 for the Venice Pier, but moved to its current Santa Monica location in 1947. In addition to the 44 hand-carved equine beauties, there are two additional animals that go round and round—can you guess? A rabbit and a goat. Next time you are there, see if you can find them.
5. The iconic Hollywood sign was built in 1923 but it didn't originally spell out "HOLLYWOOD" but instead "HOLLYWOODLAND." It remained that way until 1949 when the "LAND" portion was removed.
Security Pacific National Bank Collection via Los Angeles Public Library
6. The LA Zoo is not the original LA Zoo. In 1966, more than 2000 animals were moved from the Old Griffith Park Zoo (which was built in 1914) to the zoo's new location, two miles away. You can still visit the old zoo's stomping grounds—heck, you can even have a picnic there.
7. You don't have to go all the way to Anaheim to visit some historic Disney artifacts. Walt Disney's original barn and workshop, where he controlled his 1/8th scale model railroad, is located on the north side of Griffith Park, where it's now part of the Los Angeles Live Steamers Museum. If you want an up-and-close visit, they allow guests to visit every 3rd Sun. of the month. Check their Facebook page for the latest information.
Public Domain
8. Ever wonder how LA basketball team the Lakers got its name? The Lakers originated in Minnesota, aka “Land of 10,000 Lakes," before coming to LA in 1960.
9. LA by the numbers: A little over 10 million people live in Los Angeles County—that's about the same as the population of the entire country of Sweden. There are 7.8 million cars registered in the area, 3.9 million people commute every day by car and the average Angeleno spends 119 hours a year stuck in traffic. That's equivalent to five days. Yikes!
10. Love LA's iconic Palm trees? They may not be around much longer. They are not native to the area and were planted solely for their looks. A vast amount of them were planted in the 1930s (in just 1931, 25,000 of them were planted!) and are now nearing the end of their lifespan and are unlikely to be replaced.
11. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department's Forestry Division has a special way to reduce the risk of fire. They use goats! The grazing goats clear brush along steep mountainsides.
It’s common to see the best and “must-have” gifts this time of year, but what about those that don’t quite make the cut? For as many fun and fabulous toys that hit the market, there are also those that leave us shaking our heads. We’ve sifted through the worst-of-the-worst from the past few years and came up with a few cringe-inducing toys you won’t believe were invented.
In this "game" kids can feed the cow water in order to "milk" the cow. We can't really explain it, but something about this just feels kinda weird. However, they aren't cheap, as proven by this one spotted on eBay, so maybe we're missing something.
While we totally get where the creators were going with the Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw, creating a toy that is all about acting like an oversized cat with sharp claws creates a problem. The creator didn't do themselves any favors by including a warning not to swing or hit at people––seemingly the whole purpose of the toy in general.
Nerf usually comes through with kid-safe options, but not this time. When they released the Nerf Vortex Praxis, they switched up the ammo from soft darts to hard plastic discs. The result? Scared parents who can now truly say "you'll shoot your eye out."
Nothing like teaching your kids right from wrong! While Monopoly Cheaters Edition is supposed to be a funny tack on the OG version, it's definitely not a great option for littles. Among the cards that ask players to cheat, the game also comes with a pair of handcuffs for those that get caught in the act.
Play-Doh Poop Troop
If your littles can't get enough bathroom humor than the Play-Doh Poop Troop is for them. Kids use a variety of tools to literally squeeze out "poop" from the rather large collection of included dough tubs (the most of which are brown) to make personalized turds. Just what they've always wanted.
Lightning Reaction Reloaded
A game that includes electrocution if you're too slow? What could go wrong? Even better is the fact that this is a real game you can still buy on Amazon for $35! The toy description says to "Bust out this shocking game for an electrifying good time," and the comments are equally enjoyable. One user uses the game to encourage the kiddos to do chores and says "What started out as a gag game, has turned into how I dictate which of my 3 kids will do chores. If I lose, I take the garbage out and do the dishes myself. Chores just got a little more fun around this camp." Glad we don't live at her house!
Pole Dance
Mamas want their babies to grow up and be ... pole dancers? While the packaging of this "toy" was made to look pretty alluring to kids, what with the glitter and gems, we all know this is one career we're taking out of the running.
Love n' Licks Pets
Their tagline is that you'll get "so wet, you should wear a bathing suit!" If that's not enough to steer you clear away from this doggy that drools, then consider the goal of this toy is to rub it's head so much that it barks––because everyone loves a barking dog. The commercial is a compilation of kids covered in towels or wearing a raincoat and bathing suit which is a dead giveaway how un-fun this toy can be.
The Super Soaker Oozinator was released in the '90s and was supposed to be the next generation of squirt guns. But instead of shooting free water, kids got to squirt each other from ooze cartridges—basically tantamount to shooting huge boogers at each other. The three-pound gun worked the same way as the traditional super soakers, but this one boasted "extra pumping required." Gross.
Vibrating Harry Potter Broom
Back in 2010, Mattel started selling the Harry Potter Nimbus 2000 vibrating broomstick much to the delight of Potter fans worldwide. But when sex shops in New York City‘s Times Square started buying and re-selling the broomstick for double Amazon’s price, Mattel decided the fun and games were over and discontinued the model. You can still find similar products on Amazon, just make sure to read the reviews, "This broom looks like it has been designed and created by muggles. I arrived late to Hogwarts and almost missed the sorting hat ceremony." Ba-dum tsss...
Pretend Tattoo Parlor
While Spin Master Toys has been cranking out the hits for many years (including Star Wars, Paw Patrol and this year's Hatchimals), every once in a while they have a dud. In 2006, they definitely hit a new low with a pretend tattoo parlor for kids. The set came complete with an electronic tattoo pen, washable ink, stencils, and, presumably, a pretend follow-up morning of regrets and a hangover.
Playmobil Security Checkpoint
Unsurprisingly, this Security Checkpoint model did not perform as well as other Playmobil models like Barnyard with Silo or Pirate Fort, so it was discontinued. After all, no one want to pretend play standing in line with 300 other busy travelers!
Pee and Poo Dolls
Isn't Potty Humor fun?! Don't you want to cuddle with a defecation-themed plushy?! Originated in Sweden in 2004, these Pee & Poo dolls are an early ancestor of the popular poop emoji we're currently inundated with today (thanks, Uncle Poop!).
Dora Aquapet
Not only is this a horrifyingly bad design (if you haven't noticed, take another peek), the whole Aquapet concept is a bit creepy as well (like, why isn't she wearing scuba gear? Is this akin to toy waterboarding?). The suggestive design was first noticed in 2009 when the Dora Aquapet started showing up on moms' Christmas lists on Amazon.
Yume-chan Doll That Cries
Introduced at the Tokyo toy fair in 2012, manufacturer TOMY (makers of Chuggington, Pokemon and Lamaze products) had the ill-fated idea that it would be fun for kids to watch their doll cry after immunization. An evil plot by anti-vaxxers to scare kids? We'll never know.
Heelarious Baby High Heels
When we received the first press release for this product, we thought it was gag gift. And while it's true the founder/creator of baby high heels has taken a tongue-in-cheek approach to her products, there are parents on either end of the spectrum either squealing with delight or venting with outrage, regardless of intent
Barbie & Her Dog Tanner
Another Mattel classic sure to be discontinued (note recall for bite-sized magnetic poop pellets) and/or a future overpriced collectible. The $89 sticker price is a bit more palatable when you are entertained by Amazon reviews like this gem, " God bless America! Does this toy teach young girls moral lessons about the responsibilities of pet ownership and the importance of cleaning up their mess? Or, is the feces-eating devil dog teaching impressionable young kids that it's ok to consume their own excrement? Who knows, and who cares."
My Cleaning Trolley
Look at little Arya, doesn't she look like she is having fun vacuuming?! Put your kids to work starting at toddler-age, teaching them how to sweep, mop and dust. The gift offers the perfect inspiration for an aspiring janitorial career. We're kidding. Of course, lots of kids love to "clean" and "pretend to clean". The primary reason this sparked outrage was because of the packaging, which had a big, "For Girls Only" sticker on the front.
Poopy Time Fun Shapes
This image has been circulating on Reddit and Buzzfeed since 2009, though we can't find an actual manufacturer or more product detail. Since parents seem willing to do anything to get their kids to potty train (rewards, gold stars, M & M's), we'll simply categorize this product as "good intention gone bad."
With 2021 closing out and more pandemic babies on the way, it’s the perfect time to start the search for the most popular baby names! There have been plenty of projections for popular trends for 2022 like Dune, Bali and Rupert but what about the most popular names of the last century?
The Social Security Administration is the leading authority on the top names, and while 2021’s information hasn’t been compiled yet, the agency does the last 100 years through 2020. So who reigns as the most popular?
photo: iStock
Mary and James are the top names given from 1921 to 2020, followed by John, Patricia, Robert and Jennifer. The data reflects that classic names, while not consistently popular every year, continue to grace the hearts of parents.
To see the full list of the most popular baby names from the last century, visit the Social Security Administration’s website.
Whether you’re using tech at home, at school or at work, it seems like new tools are coming out every day. So, how do you know which ones are best for your family? Microsoft has trusted tech tools that make it easier for families to get organized, stay connected, explore safely, save money and so much more! Bonus: Get started for free.
Keep reading to learn more about the smart tech tools:
Microsoft Edge
Your internet browser is how your family explores the online world, and while they all let you discover content, some of them work harder for you than others. Microsoft Edge makes it so easy for parents to score savings by scanning the web for coupons and price comparisons—doing the leg work for you! Edge also helps you pick the best products online by pulling in expert ratings and reviews. Learn more about Microsoft Edge shopping features.
Microsoft Edge Kids Mode
Just like us, kids are also spending more time online. Microsoft Edge makes it easy to switch into Kids Mode: an online experience, built into the browser. Kids Mode is tailoredjust for their age range, which keeps them away from inappropriate content, while still enjoying the web. Learn more about Microsoft Edge Kids Mode.
Microsoft Family Safety
Spending time online is fun, but without boundaries, many kids would scroll for hours. Microsoft Family Safety helps kids build healthy digital habits by setting screen time limits that apply to devices, apps, and games. It also gives parents an activity summary so you know how they’re using their online time! Learn more about Microsoft Family Safety.
Microsoft Teams
When you can’t be in the same room as loved ones, Microsoft Teams makes it easy to connect—even with your not-so-tech-savvy friend. Simply send a link for a video call or start a chat and they’re in—even if they’re not on Teams. Learn more about Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft 365
Between work, school and activities, you've got a lot to keep track of! The free Microsoft 365 apps have all the tools you need to stay organized. Find that email with Outlook search, manage your family budget with a template from Excel and sign that permission form from anywhere with Office Mobile. To help you stay on top of it all, you can even prioritize those tasks with Microsoft To Do. Learn more about Microsoft 365.
OneDrive Personal Vault
You need your files to be secure, but you also need to be able to access them when and where you need them. Enter OneDrive Personal Vault: an extra layer of security for important documents and files. Now you can keep digital copies of your passport, driver’s license and insurance documents along with your family photos and videos, all secured in OneDrive Personal Vault so you have them if you need them.Personal Vault keeps your most sensitive files protected using identity verification.Learn more about OneDrive Personal Vault.
These names aren’t old-fashioned; they’re classics! These traditional baby names are the most popular names for girls and boys in the past 100 years, according to the Social Security Administration. We’ll also tell you where each name comes from and what it means.
Top 10 Classic Baby Names for Girls
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Mary Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Beloved
Patricia Origin: Latin Meaning: Noble
Jennifer Origin: English Meaning: White wave
Linda Origin: Spanish Meaning: Pretty
Elizabeth Origin: Hebrew Meaning: My God is an oath
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Barbara Origin: Greek Meaning: Stranger, foreigner
Susan Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Lily
Jessica Origin: Hebrew Meaning: God beholds
Sarah Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Princess
Karen Origin: Scandinavian Meaning: Pure
Top 10 Classic Baby Names for Boys
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James Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Supplanter
John Origin: Hebrew Meaning: God is gracious
Robert Origin: English Meaning: Bright fame
Michael Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Who is like God?
William Origin: German Meaning: Strong-willed warrior
The airport is hands down one of the least convenient places to breastfeed. But with summer travel in full swing, new moms everywhere find themselves in challenging feeding situations. Fortunately, Mamava and Hello Bello are partnering to make moms’ lives easier!
The category creator of freestanding lactation spaces, Mamava has joined forces with Hello Bello, the premium baby products company co-founded by Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. The duo has placed 11 Mamava ADA pods in post-security concourses at the busiest airports in the U.S. The pods are playfully designed with Hello Bello branding and stocked with the company’s hand sanitizer.
New moms will have a little extra piece of mind as they exit security and the collaboration also hopes to serve as a thought piece for travelers everywhere, prompting them to consider the logistics of breastfeeding in public. You can use the Mamava app to find one of these new pods, as well as one of the 1,800 plus existing Mamava pods at 63 airports. The app also allows you to check the vacancy status of a pod, adjust the airflow and even leave a digital note of support for the next person.
Stay tuned for more to come between the two brands! Hello Bello is currently offering 20% off diaper and wipe bundles for first time customers. Just use the code MAMAVA at checkout.
The shift in mindset for new parents is palpable at the beginning—planning for their future can often become your central focus. The sudden feeling of urgency to tackle financial planning to support your children amid sleepless nights can be overwhelming. Add it to the never-ending list of tasks that comes with kids! It can be paralyzing—especially after the year we had in 2020, which taught many of us that our financial futures can be uncertain. Life insurance, retirement, college savings, rainy day funds, emergency medical…the list of investments that seem immediate and necessary are dizzying.
It can be difficult to know how to prioritize all of these things, and I often get asked by new parents how to juggle all of the financial decisions facing their families. I’m asked all the time: “Is it possible to save for retirement and college for my kids?” With careful financial planning, it’s possible to achieve multiple goals, including retirement and funding college.
When it comes to prioritizing these goals, I tell parents that it’s important to put on your own oxygen mask first—in other words, make sure you’re maxing out your retirement accounts first before putting money aside for college education. Being financially independent and giving yourself the best chance for a secure future is one of the best gifts you can give your kids, and it models great money management. And remember, you can take out loans for college if you really need them, but you can’t take out a loan for your own retirement. When it comes to college planning, the interest rates for federal student loans—the types of loans your children might take out if they need to—are usually less than what you can make by putting your money in retirement investments.
Once you’ve maxed out your own retirement accounts, the next question is often: What’s the best way to start saving for my child’s college education expenses?
Here are 4 tips for saving for college while also keeping your other financial priorities, like retirement, on track:
1. Clearly Define Your Retirement & College Savings Goals
One of the first steps to coming up with a good plan to fund both your own future and your kid’s future is clearly defining your goals. After all, how do you know how much you can put toward your child’s future if you don’t know how much you need for your own? It’s important to understand what kind of retirement you want, and how much you’ll need to support the lifestyle you want. Pick a date, track your budget, know your cash flow, and remember to always look at your finances in a “big picture” way. Then you can back out into how much you’d like to contribute to future education expenses and establish some realistic savings goals.
2. The Early Bird Catches the Worm
If your own financial situation is on track (you’re maxing out your retirement accounts, you’ve eliminated any high-interest debt, and you have a healthy emergency fund), the earlier you can start socking away some funds for your child’s education, the better. Saving early will allow more time for potential growth on your investments. This can be as little or as much as you want—don’t let the amount hold you back. It might not be easy to start putting money away initially because you may be balancing higher up-front costs as new parents, such as new medical needs, financing a family-friendly vehicle, and paying for daycare costs. However, the earlier you start, the more time your savings will have to grow before paying that first tuition bill.
3. Know Your Options
While college savings plans abound, keeping savings and investment strategies simple with a low point of entry often works best as a place to start. This is why 529 plans are so popular — Most plans offer valuable tax benefits and can be an attractive option for more “hands-off” investors (assuming an aged-based option is available). But there are tradeoffs to be aware of—sometimes these plans can come with high fees and often you’ll have minimal control over the investment strategy. But they can be a great option for many families, especially since they can now be used to cover primary and secondary school expenses in many cases. Other options include custodial accounts such as UTMA/UGMA accounts, and IRAs (Roth and Traditional). What’s best for your family will depend on your personal situation and goals, so make sure you do your research before choosing.
4. Consider a Financial Advisor
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to saving for your family’s future. There’s also a lot of conflicting information out there on the internet and it can make taking on these complex financial planning decisions seem quite difficult. Many people choose to work with a financial advisor to help them navigate these decisions and reduce some of the stress involved in doing everything themselves. If this is a route you choose to go, look for an advisor who is a fiduciary—which means that they are legally bound to always act in your best interest. Also, try to avoid any advisor or firm operating on commission—you don’t want to be sold on investment products or plans that aren’t right for you.
In short, it’s definitely possible to save for your child’s future without sacrificing your own, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated. If you start early, prioritize your own financial security first, and choose the right method of saving for your situation, you’re well on your way to the future you envision.
Michelle is a Certified Financial Planner® with a range of Investment Management experience. She manages the Private Client Group at Personal Capital as the lead for high net worth investment clients. When she’s home, Michelle spends her time running- both for exercise and to chase after her very active toddler, Connor.
