I always find it interesting when young investors or childless people want to explain to me that you just have to invest the child benefit.
Let's take an example from reality: My wife (bank clerk with 32 hours, 5 days a week) and I (cash manager in the field of precious metals/foreign exchange) are certainly not among the poor, but also not among the highest earners... with a house a bit outside the city, private pension, a car, one vacation (if any or 2 short trips in Germany) per year and kindergarten place, which I may pay due to our earnings with 260€, I do not even come to "zero euros" in relation to the child benefit. In addition, there are natural costs like clothes, food, lifestyle and own hobbies and expenses... what do you think is left? And no, we don't need to limit ourselves or plan here and there... after all, we have a life today too. The classic model, parents would completely sacrifice themselves for their children, do nothing for themselves - it's dead! Because it would be death, if because of that (because of the child) we fully put back our goals and desires. And that's exactly why this kind of "milkmaid" calculation is a fantasy for all who are just not versed with reality. To invest "only" the child support - is then complete nonsense. That we do something for the child, perfectly logical and natural for us - only we will not do it to the point of self-sacrifice. We owe ourselves and our child not money, but time and life.
Let's take an example from reality: My wife (bank clerk with 32 hours, 5 days a week) and I (cash manager in the field of precious metals/foreign exchange) are certainly not among the poor, but also not among the highest earners... with a house a bit outside the city, private pension, a car, one vacation (if any or 2 short trips in Germany) per year and kindergarten place, which I may pay due to our earnings with 260€, I do not even come to "zero euros" in relation to the child benefit. In addition, there are natural costs like clothes, food, lifestyle and own hobbies and expenses... what do you think is left? And no, we don't need to limit ourselves or plan here and there... after all, we have a life today too. The classic model, parents would completely sacrifice themselves for their children, do nothing for themselves - it's dead! Because it would be death, if because of that (because of the child) we fully put back our goals and desires. And that's exactly why this kind of "milkmaid" calculation is a fantasy for all who are just not versed with reality. To invest "only" the child support - is then complete nonsense. That we do something for the child, perfectly logical and natural for us - only we will not do it to the point of self-sacrifice. We owe ourselves and our child not money, but time and life.
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@InvestmentPapa The child also has more from experiences at a young age than from money. Game park, adventure park, etc!
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@InvestmentPapa I have already guessed that I will get such a comment. Of course, a large part of the population can not invest 219€, but 25€ always goes! Goals should of course never restrict, but a minimal reduction in consumption, already leads to a savings plan of 25€ per child.
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Deleted User
1Yr
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@Joris I did, so I do not understand the comment is the second scenario
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@Aktienfoxx
No, I don't think you understand. It should not be considered normal at all to put something aside financially for the child as is suggested here because it is easy and doable for everyone. Just because everyone CAN do it doesn't mean it is always wise to do so. Saving something for the child is something special that luck did not come my way.
No, I don't think you understand. It should not be considered normal at all to put something aside financially for the child as is suggested here because it is easy and doable for everyone. Just because everyone CAN do it doesn't mean it is always wise to do so. Saving something for the child is something special that luck did not come my way.
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1Yr
@InvestmentPapa I can only agree with you. It always sounds trite and it is also a truism that children are expensive. But at the time I was really surprised (and I still am) at how expensive children are and how the money was taken out of the parents' pockets.  We paid €980 every month for U3 care for the two of them in 2012.  Yes, as a young father I pretty much lost faith in our country  when you see how money is thrown at others at the same time. 
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•@General_T_Regnery I just show that it would have such a positive impact, and I would do it for my children, and anyone can do it even if it's only 10-25€!
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@GHF then this should be opposed by an income of around 100000€ per year? We were at 600€/M at about 70000€/a. What one must not forget with "faith in the country". One gets the child benefit for 18 years.
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@InvestmentPapa Hi, here is our situation: wife team leader, husband sales, one car, child now 7th grade, rent West German big city, not wealthy and similar "cost of living" for the child/family. In our case the child benefit was always "transitory item" and saved. Our household bill was always prepared without the child benefit. We are not wealthy - as speculated in the article - we are doing well. P.S.: I could go into the article in terms of "everyone can save 25€", but there are not enough lines here for that.
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•@Leuchtturm As I said... we don't save "only" 25€ either. We are definitely far above that. But I just want to show that "only" saving child support is not as easy as it is unfortunately too often suggested. I have the greatest respect for every parent who manages to build the largest possible financial cushion... and yet we as parents must not forget to shape and plan our future (after the children) as well. In addition to the "here and now", that's just a serious point too.Thanks for your insight. 👍
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