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C ONTRIBUTIONS TO AN IRA If your favorite gift recipient is old enough to have a job, funding an IRA can give them a jump start on their savings. With time on their side, even a small contribution could grow significantly over the years and decades. F UNDING A C OLLEGE S AVINGS A CCOUNT Whether they are 8 months old, 18 years old or somewhere in between, the young person on your list will probably be looking at colleges someday. Contributing to a college savings account is an investment in the future, and it is sure to be a welcome gift. P IGGY B ANKS For young kids, there is nothing like a piggy bank to teach those valuable financial lessons. You can throw in a few coins to stoke the fire, then invite your young recipient to save their pennies. B OARD G AMES They may be old school, but board games are great for teach- ing kids about money. Whether you choose an explicitly financial game like Monopoly or a mainstream game with a banking feature, the kids can have fun while they are learning. M UTUAL F UNDS You do not need much money to start a mutual fund for your favorite child; some funds can be opened with just $50 or $100. Once the initial contribution is in place, kids and their parents can watch the funds grow, learning some valuable financial lessons along the way. S AVINGS A CCOUNT Having a bank account is a great way for kids to learn about money, especially when the initial funds are part of a gift. Funding a savings account is a thoughtful gift for kids of all ages. Financial gifts just keep on giving, and they are particularly great for kids. The 10 financial gifts listed above can give your fa- vorite boy or girl a head start on life, and the les- sons they learn now will be cherished and re- membered long after the gift giving occasion has passed. n 48 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com 2020 Holiday GIFT GUIDE .................................................................................................