Get Someone Stock as Christmas Gift?

Discussion in 'The Cocktail Lounge' started by Rainman, Oct 19, 2015.

  1. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    Well, a company called Stockpile is making it a lot easier. You can get the gift cards in Kmart or buy them online. These gift cards which come in denominations of $25, $50 and $100.

    http://www.freep.com/story/money/pe...015/10/17/buy-stock-with-gift-cards/73881282/
    But if the recipient isn't interested in buying stock it has a way of converting to a regular gift card at specific retailers.
     
  2. pwarbi

    pwarbi Senior Investor

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    I'm not sure something like this would be that successful to be honest. I think it's a good idea in principle and as maybe a novelty gift but I'm not sure people will be that thrilled if they got this as a main present.
     
  3. L_B

    L_B Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking the same thing. Not everybody would think this was a good gift. I do like the fact that if the recipient doesn't want to buy stock with it then it can be used as a regular gift card is some places.
     
  4. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    I've often thought about this stuff. Not as a "normal" gift but rather investing a bit of my younger siblings instead of buying some crap they don't need.
    The main problem really is that a) it doesn't make a great gift on it's own. and b) in order for investments to become something you need to invest quite a bit. Certainly more than I'm ready to gift. Anything is better than nothing but unless you hit a jackpot a $100 investment once a year will not turn into much even if you gift that much every year from birth to their 18th birthday.
     
  5. 111kg

    111kg Guest

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    It's a good opportunity to introduce someone into investing. Even a $100 head-start can still mean a lot for most of the people, especially for those looking forward to making even more money.
     
  6. pwarbi

    pwarbi Senior Investor

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    It's a bit like buying somebody s lottery ticket, if they make money, it wins it will be the best present they've ever had. If it doesn't, it becomes the worst.
     
  7. hs0zfe

    hs0zfe Active Member

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    I like a DRIP. Say you are a grandmother and want to pass on more than just money, also your investment philosophy. A broker account for a grandchild with a stock with DRIP might be a good start. Most folks just consume, living from paycheck to paycheck
     
  8. JR Ewing

    JR Ewing Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I think one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone is a well-funded investment account - the younger the better. Probably a good idea to set the account up at a full-service firm (or at least a discount brokerage account that you control for them) and have a good portion of the money already invested appropriately for them.
     
  9. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    The thing is, unless you are incredibly rich then you won't be handing out gifts worth thousands and thousands. And making buys with a couple hundred per year... barely worth it. I guess some mutual funds that have no commission to buy them might be a good way to go forward, though often they have higher maintenance fees but at least you could get something everytime the child gets a gift. (Christmas, birthday etc)

    Also just as important as it is to help them get started, it's to give them knowledge of investing. To make them interested in finances... now if only I could figure out how to make that happen to my brother who is in desperate need of some control over his spending...
     
  10. Susimi

    Susimi Senior Investor

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    It's a pretty nice idea and I like how it can be used as a regular gift card if need be but I don't think someone would be too thrilled in receiving this as a gift. It would feel almost like a joke present I can imagine.
     

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