I have a friend whose son graduates from high school this week. I want to give him a gift of a couple hundred dollars, but would like this to be for some future need or want. If I give him cash, I know it will be gone before I'm out the driveway. I was thinking a savings bond, but it looks like you can't just walk into a bank and purchase them anymore. Both he and I would have to register accounts online to give him the bond as a gift, and I'm not sure he would actually make the effort to do this. So I'm wondering if there is another option to gifting him some money that hopefully he won't just piss away. Thanks for any ideas.

a couple of hundred bucks to a child that does not know how to take care of money and is too lazy to help with saving???

Give it to the parents for said purpose?

quote:

Originally posted by mrmn50:
a couple of hundred bucks to a child that does not know how to take care of money and is too lazy to help with saving???

Well I don't know for sure that he is too lazy to actually make the effort, but I just there might be an easy alternative. I am planning on talking to his mother to get her thoughts on whether he would follow through. I was hoping that by the time a bond had matured, maybe he woul Dave a bit more sense about money.

We give kids $100 as a graduation or birthday gift and try not to worry about what they spend it on. If they hang on to it for very long, the hundred will buy less than it does today. And it doesn't buy much of lasting value even now, really.

If you are intending this gift to go towards his future education give him a card stating as much, and then you can pay the money directly to whatever institution he attends.

If not, just give him the money and don't worry about what it's spent on.

A membership in the Box Of Condoms Of The Month Club?

quote:

We give kids $100 as a graduation or birthday gift and try not to worry about what they spend it on. If they hang on to it for very long, the hundred will buy less than it does today. And it doesn't buy much of lasting value even now, really.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah and put it in a card. I still have some of the cards from my youth. Write something meaningful in the card.

quote:

Originally posted by vandrv:

quote:

Originally posted by mrmn50:
a couple of hundred bucks to a child that does not know how to take care of money and is too lazy to help with saving???

Well I don't know for sure that he is too lazy to actually make the effort, but I just there might be an easy alternative. I am planning on talking to his mother to get her thoughts on whether he would follow through. I was hoping that by the time a bond had matured, maybe he woul Dave a bit more sense about money.

I hope that your generosity does not bring you grief. Good luck to you in finding a solution.

Depending on the relationship, a notation in the card of do not spend on Hookers and Blow, will surely be remembered for years to come. If not, think of something else.

^^Lol.
What did you want at that age?
Probably cash in hand.
If you want to do $200 how about a $100 bill in the card with a note inside redeemable to another $100 to his school or next opportunity?

quote:

Originally posted by mrmn50:

quote:

Originally posted by vandrv:

quote:

Originally posted by mrmn50:
a couple of hundred bucks to a child that does not know how to take care of money and is too lazy to help with saving???

Well I don't know for sure that he is too lazy to actually make the effort, but I just there might be an easy alternative. I am planning on talking to his mother to get her thoughts on whether he would follow through. I was hoping that by the time a bond had matured, maybe he woul Dave a bit more sense about money.

I hope that your generosity does not bring you grief. Good luck to you in finding a solution.

It certainly won't bring me grief even if he wads it up and tosses it in a dumpster.
I know the amount I am planning on giving him isn't really significant and is extremely unlikely to ever be life changing. I was just looking for ideas as to something that might mature into a little more in the future, and be a little bit less likely to burn a hole in his pocket. If I give him cash and he spends it on hookers and blow, I'm not sure how pleased his mother might be.

How about 200.00 worth of silver. Has meaning now but can be redeemed for cash later if needed.

We give our oldest grandson a 'coupon' redeemable for one trip the the shooting range with us. Range fees and ammo provided. Since that can turn into a half day outing with everything provided, he's generally GTG.

As a concept, you might consider something redeemable for an appropriate reason, books for college, toward tuition, clothes, etc.

Gift card at the gas station of choice in the area might be useful and depending on his vehicle may not be burned up in one stop. Just a thought.

Lower the amount to $50 and you won't care so much that he blows it.

Give him the cash...why would you care how he spends it? If it really matters to you, get him a gift card to Red Lobster. I'm sure he'll be greatful for it and remember you.

But seriously, it's a gift for a special occasion...let him enjoy it how he wants, whether that means saving it or getting some hookers and blow.

I swear, sometimes you guys over think things.

Is he going away to college? If so, a gift certificate at a pizza place that delivers would be thoughtful and well used.

quote:

Originally posted by RAMIUS:
Give him the cash...why would you care how he spends it? If it really matters to you, get him a gift card to Red Lobster. I'm sure he'll be greatful for it and remember you.

But seriously, it's a gift for a special occasion...let him enjoy it how he wants, whether that means saving it or getting some hookers and blow.

I swear, sometimes you guys over think things.

couldn't agree more, it's a gift.

quote:

Originally posted by pbramlett:
How about 200.00 worth of silver. Has meaning now but can be redeemed for cash later if needed.

Good idea!