Picture this: It’s late at night, and the house is finally quiet. You’re folding laundry or scrolling through your phone, and the thought pops up again —
“Am I doing enough for my kids’ future?”
If you’ve ever felt that twinge of worry, you’re not alone. Between school, soccer practice, groceries, and the endless to-do list, thinking about investing can feel overwhelming — like one more thing to figure out in a world where you’re already stretched thin.
But what if we told you that investing doesn’t have to be complicated? What if it could become a simple habit — like brushing your teeth or meal prepping for the week?
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of investing — no jargon, no confusion — just clear, practical steps for parents who want to grow their money and give their kids a better future.
Why Investing Matters More When You’re a Parent
Here’s the truth: Saving is good, but investing is how your money grows. And when you’ve got kids, growth matters.
Imagine planting a small tree in your backyard today. You water it a little each week. A few years go by, and now that tree is tall enough to provide shade. That’s investing — it’s not about making fast money; it’s about making consistent choices now that pay off in a big way later.
Whether it’s college tuition, a first car, a gap year abroad, or helping your child buy their first home — you don’t need to be rich to make it happen. You just need to start.
And let’s be honest — parenting comes with enough surprises. Investing helps you prepare for the ones you can see coming.
The Biggest Mistake Parents Make
We’ve seen it time and again: smart, hardworking parents wait too long to start because they think they need to know everything first.
They think:
- “I’ll invest once we make more money.”
- “It’s probably too late anyway.”
- “What if I make the wrong decision?”
But here’s the thing — you don’t have to be perfect to begin. You just have to begin.
Even investing $25 a month can make a real difference when done consistently over time. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow.
And if you think it’s too late? It’s not. The second-best time to start investing is today.
Let’s Demystify the Basics
You don’t need a finance degree or a six-figure income to invest. In fact, most long-term investors keep things simple.
Let’s walk through the building blocks.
1. What Is Investing?
Investing is using your money to buy something that can grow in value over time — like stocks, bonds, or real estate.
When you save money in a typical bank account, it earns very little interest — often less than 1%. That means your money is safe, but it’s not growing.
When you invest, your money works for you. It earns returns (growth), and those returns earn returns (compound growth). That’s the magic.
2. What Should Parents Invest In?
You don’t need a fancy portfolio to get started. Here are a few great tools for parents:
✅ Stocks
Shares of ownership in a company. Over time, stocks have shown the highest growth, though they come with more ups and downs.
✅ Bonds
Loans you make to governments or companies. Generally less risky than stocks, but with lower returns.
✅ Index Funds and ETFs
These “baskets” of investments let you buy many companies at once, spreading your risk. They’re low-cost and beginner-friendly.
✅ 529 Plans
Tax-advantaged accounts specifically for your child’s education. Your investments grow tax-free when used for qualified expenses.
✅ Custodial Accounts
Accounts like UGMA or UTMA that allow you to invest money in your child’s name — flexible for future use beyond college.
✅ Brokerage Accounts
A brokerage account is a general-purpose investment account that you open through a platform like Mostt. It lets you buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and more. Unlike retirement or 529 accounts, there’s no tax advantage, but there are no limits on when or how you use the money, making it perfect for long-term and or flexible goals like buying a home or supporting your child’s dreams as they grow.
3. How Do I Get Started?
You don’t need to “wait until you know more.” You can start today. Here’s a step-by-step plan:
✅ Pick a goal.
What are you investing for? A child’s education, future home, or flexible financial support?
✅ Choose a platform.
Apps like Mostt make it easy to start investing with as little as $25/month. Everything is built with parents in mind.
✅ Automate your investing.
Set up recurring deposits so you invest every month — no mental energy required.
✅ Keep it simple.
Don’t chase hot stocks or try to time the market. Stick with diversified funds and let time do the work.
✅ Be consistent.
The key to success isn’t how much you invest, but how long you stay invested.
What If the Market Drops?
It will. Markets go up and down — it’s part of the journey.
According to Fox Business, investors who stick with their plan — even during downturns — tend to come out ahead in the long run.
As a parent, you already know that growth isn’t always linear. Your child didn’t learn to walk in a day. Your investments won’t grow in a straight line either.
But given enough time, markets — like kids — grow.
The Power of Compound Growth
Let’s make this real with an example:
Say you invest $50/month from the time your child is born until they turn 18. That’s a total contribution of $10,800.
At an average annual return of 7% (historical average of the stock market according to Vanguard), your investment could grow to over $21,000.
If you doubled that to $100/month? Now you’re looking at $42,000.
That’s money that works while you sleep, while you work, while you’re at soccer practice or reading bedtime stories. And the earlier you start, the more time you give your investment to grow.
This is how regular people build wealth — not through luck, but through small steps and consistency.
Teach Your Kids by Doing
One of the best ways to teach financial literacy is to model it.
When your kids see you prioritizing investing, they learn that money isn’t just for spending — it’s a tool for building the future.
As they grow, you can involve them:
- Show them the app or account
- Celebrate milestones together (“Look! Your college fund hit $5,000!”)
- Use everyday moments (like grocery shopping or online purchases) to talk about value, choices, and saving
When your child turns 18 and sees a financial gift waiting for them, they’ll know it came from love, discipline, and vision.
Investing Isn’t Just About Money — It’s About Peace of Mind
Parenting already comes with enough worries — doctor appointments, school transitions, screen time. But investing brings peace of mind.
It’s one of the few things you can do now that actually reduces stress in the future.
Imagine your child graduating debt-free.
Imagine being able to help with a down payment.
Imagine teaching your teen how investing works because you started early.
That peace? It starts with one small step today.
You’re the Hero. We’re Just Here to Guide You.
At Mostt, we believe that every parent — no matter their income — deserves access to the tools that build generational wealth.
We created Mostt to help busy parents:
- Set real financial goals
- Start investing easily
- Track progress visually
- Learn as they go (no jargon, no judgment)
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start — and we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Take the First Step Today
The best time to plant a tree was 18 years ago.
The second-best time is now.
Let’s grow something together — not just for you, but for your kids, and their kids after them.
👉 Get started with Mostt — and begin investing in your child’s future for just $25/month.
Start small. Stay consistent. And give your kids a future built on more than just hope.
