Muddy Stilettos


<p>There comes a point in modern parenting when you realise your child’s future may cost approximately the same as a chic two-bed in Zone 3. University fees? Brutal. First-home deposits? Don&#8217;t make us laugh. A gap year? Somehow now requires technical hiking gear and a budgeting app.</p>



<p>No wonder parents are feeling the pressure to get financially savvy earlier. According to new research from <strong><a href="https://www.alliancewitan.com/learning-zone?utm_source=muddy-stilettos&amp;utm_medium=engagement&amp;utm_campaign=sponsorship" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alliance Witan</a></strong>, only one in 10 parents is currently investing on behalf of their children, despite nearly a third saying they teach them about saving and investing. Meanwhile, 25% are still relying on cash savings instead.</p>



<p>And honestly, we get it. Cash feels safe. Familiar. Comfortingly low drama. But here’s the catch: over long periods, inflation can quietly eat away at cash savings, meaning that money sitting patiently in an account may actually lose value over time. So if you really want to build meaningful wealth for your children, not just squirrel away birthday money from Granny Jean, what should you actually be doing? Read on to find out.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-parents-still-love-cash">Why parents still love cash</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1709" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YOUNG-MUM-AND-CHILDshutterstock_1978877039-scaled.jpeg" alt="Young mother with little preschool daughter playing together in the kitchen" class="wp-image-139109" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YOUNG-MUM-AND-CHILDshutterstock_1978877039-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YOUNG-MUM-AND-CHILDshutterstock_1978877039-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YOUNG-MUM-AND-CHILDshutterstock_1978877039-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YOUNG-MUM-AND-CHILDshutterstock_1978877039-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YOUNG-MUM-AND-CHILDshutterstock_1978877039-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>If you’re saving for your child in a regular savings account, congratulations, you’re with the majority. “Cash feels familiar, accessible and safe,” says Alliance Witan. And frankly, after the past few years, who among us&nbsp;<em>hasn’t</em>&nbsp;wanted to crawl under a weighted blanket, clutching a cash ISA? The problem is that while cash is brilliant for short-term goals and emergency funds, it’s not always the best place for money you won’t need for 10, 15 or 18 years.</p>



<p>The issue is inflation. Over time, the cost of living rises, meaning money sitting in cash savings can gradually lose spending power. Investing, on the other hand, is designed for longer-term growth. In short, cash protects money in the short term. Investing aims to grow it over the long term.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The biggest myth? Thinking you need loads of money</h2>



<p>Many parents assume investing is only for people called Hugo who own &#8216;a portfolio&#8217;. Not true. “The biggest myth is that you need a big lump sum to make investing worthwhile,” says Alliance Witan. “Often it’s time and consistency that do the heavy lifting.” This is where the magic of compounding comes in. Basically, your money grows, then those returns start generating their own returns, and the whole thing snowballs over time.</p>



<p>Which means starting early matters far more than starting big. Even relatively modest monthly contributions can grow surprisingly significantly over 10, 15 or 18 years. Not because of financial wizardry, but because time does a lot of the work for you. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-could-50-a-month-actually-become">What could £50 a month actually become?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cute-designer-handbag-shutterstock_441825640-1-scaled.jpeg" alt="MILAN - FEBRUARY 20: Woman poses for photographers with Fendi bag before Fendi fashion show, Milan Men's Fashion Week street style on June 20 2016 in Milan." class="wp-image-139111" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cute-designer-handbag-shutterstock_441825640-1-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cute-designer-handbag-shutterstock_441825640-1-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cute-designer-handbag-shutterstock_441825640-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cute-designer-handbag-shutterstock_441825640-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cute-designer-handbag-shutterstock_441825640-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>This is the bit where parents collectively sit bolt upright. Using <a href="https://www.alliancewitan.com/learning-zone/our-investment-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alliance Witan’s investment calculator</a> as an illustration, investing £50 a month over 18 years (£10,800 in total contributions) could build into a pot worth £33,201* – substantially larger than the amount originally paid in, depending on market performance.</p>



<p>Increase that to £100 a month and the impact becomes even more powerful thanks to compounding. The key thing isn’t chasing exact numbers or trying to &#8216;beat the market&#8217;. It’s understanding that&nbsp;time&nbsp;does much of the heavy lifting. Which is slightly annoying for those of us who spent our twenties spending money on tiny handbags and espresso martinis, but useful when it comes to putting money aside for your kids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-junior-stocks-amp-shares-isas-are-they-any-good">Junior Stocks &amp; Shares ISAs: are they any good?</h2>



<p>In short, yes. For many families, they can be an incredibly useful tool. A Junior Stocks &amp; Shares ISA allows parents to invest money tax-free on behalf of their child until they turn 18. Of course, handing an 18-year-old access to a sizeable pot of money may sound mildly terrifying. We’ve all met teenagers.</p>



<p>“It’s not just a savings vehicle, it’s a teaching opportunity,” they explain. Parents manage the account initially, children can take over management from age 16, and gain access at 18. Which means there’s plenty of time to explain that perhaps blowing the lot on a Rolex and a holiday to Mykonos with their mates isn’t the dream.</p>



<p>The idea is that by involving children in conversations about saving and investing early, they’re more likely to see the money as a long-term springboard rather than instant festival spending money. Hopefully.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The cultural shift parents need to make</h2>



<p>This isn’t about turning family life into <em>Dragon’s Den</em>. Nor is it about taking reckless risks with money or checking stock prices during hockey practice. Alliance Witan believes the biggest mindset shift is simply this: stop assuming spare money should sit in cash by default.</p>



<p>Once essentials are covered and emergency savings are in place, parents may want to think about whether some longer-term money could work harder invested instead. “It’s about reframing investing as a calm, planned habit – not a risky leap.” Frankly, that alone feels like the financial equivalent of exhaling.</p>



<p>If the goal is to help your children through university, support them onto the property ladder or simply give them more financial freedom, investing is a real and achievable way of making it happen. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The mistakes parents make most often</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Girl-at-laptop-shutterstock_2415896703-scaled.jpeg" alt="Excited girl watching her favorite video on laptop" class="wp-image-139110" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Girl-at-laptop-shutterstock_2415896703-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Girl-at-laptop-shutterstock_2415896703-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Girl-at-laptop-shutterstock_2415896703-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Girl-at-laptop-shutterstock_2415896703-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Girl-at-laptop-shutterstock_2415896703-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>According to Alliance Witan, there are a few common traps parents fall into when saving for children. Waiting for the “perfect” time to start is a big one. So is leaving long-term money sitting in cash by default without considering inflation. Then there’s panic. Markets wobble, headlines scream, everyone briefly becomes an economist on WhatsApp.</p>



<p>Another surprisingly common issue? Not talking openly about money at home at all. Because while lots of parents are trying to help their children financially, fewer are actually teaching them how money works in practice. And arguably, learning how to manage money well may end up being just as valuable as inheriting it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The bottom line? Start early and keep going</h2>



<p>If there’s one takeaway from all this, it’s reassuringly simple: you do not need to be wealthy or financially fluent to start investing for your children. You just need time, consistency and a willingness to begin. Because while investing may never sound quite as exciting as booking a holiday or buying a new kitchen island, future-you – and future-them – will probably be extremely grateful you started.</p>



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<p>*Dec 2007-Dec 2025</p>



<p><em>Caught the investing bug? Head over to&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.alliancewitan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Allia</em></a><a href="https://www.alliancewitan.com/learning-zone?utm_source=muddy-stilettos&amp;utm_medium=engagement&amp;utm_campaign=sponsorship" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>nce Witan</em></a><em>&nbsp;for more useful videos and articles. Capital is at risk. Investments can fall as well as rise in value and you may get back less than you invest. This feature is for information only and does not constitute financial advice.</em></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/money/2026-beginners-guide-investing-women-wealth-health/">Girls just wanna have funds: A beginner’s guide to investing</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/money/how-1000-could-grow-into-100000-investing-strategy/">How to turn £1,000 into £100,000 (without winning the lottery)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/life/parenting/messy-parenting-dr-tuesday/">Shouty, shattered, still standing: welcome to messy motherhood</a></li>
</ul>


Could £50 a month make your kid richer than you? What parents need to know

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