Irmanator, I know when my sister was getting out of school and just starting out, my dad did a match program for her. She didn't, and still doesn't, make a lot of money. At the time, her company didn't match her 401k the first year, so he did a matching portion. He also did the same for an emergency fund. If she would save so much, he would kick in a little. I don't know what % he used to do this, but it got her to save early. I think he also did something for having her credit card paid off each month (maybe an additional $25 in her EF or something like that). I know this was put in a money market fund. I know that some may just say this is enabeling a young adult, but I think my parents thoughts were that if she ends up with credit card problems or a major emergency, that they would probably have to pick up the pieces anyway. I think it got her off on the right track. I believe they stopped contributing after the EF was funded and the, the company matched after the first year. I'm sure they don't do the cc thing either. She's 29 now and has a condo and an EF and a few dollars stashed away in her 401k. She doesn't make more than 30K a year and probably will always be in that type of boat from an earning standpoint. But, she is probably way better off than others her age that have cc debt and no savings. I think anyway you can get your kids to save will be a good thing. I wish it was taught in school!
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