20. The Results

By now, the results should be obvious. My grandkids will learn and will continue to learn lessons of self-esteem, critical thinking, gaining knowledge, creativity, problemsolving, recognizing and analyzing opportunities and, most of all become confident. They’ll learn the lesson of trust, in that my wife and I will trust them to follow our wishes that they won’t touch the money until the age of 35, and after that spend only the income generated in the current year. Leave the accumulated principal alone!

You don’t have to do it the way I did it. You don’t have to start with $5,000 if you choose not to. Start with less and, instead of buying them more gifts for their birthdays, graduations or holidays, give them cash in form of a check and ask them to put it into their investment account. Give them some stock to start with, or possibly involve them in some of your financial dealings. If you’re a landlord, take them with you when an occasion presents itself.

If you already invest in property, take them when you do in inspections. Prepare them by explaining why you’re doing this, and they’ll quickly become eager participants.