Hundreds of thousands of Child Trust Fund vouchers have yet to be invested. Why do you think that is?
What's your view on the Child Trust Fund. For those people who've received a voucher, do you think the money could have been better invested elsewhere, for example, extra child tax credit payment or child benefit? Are you cheesed off because your child just missed out on the fund?
Are you unsure where to invest your voucher? Let us know your views.

The vouchers are rubbish, the kids will only spend it on booze or porn when they're old enough to use it. The money should be spent on providing free biscuits for all instead.

I've got a voucher for my son but not done anything with it yet because they'd spelt his name wrong!

I've contacted them about it and they say the banks have agreed to honour any with mistakes, makes you wonder how many went out wrong!

It's a nice idea, but flawed, have to agree with Kathy, but not on the biscuit idea.

It'd be more complicated, but a voucher to set up a special account, similar to the current system, and where parents can add money if they wish still. But instead of the money being handed over when the child turns 18 how about a system whereby the money can be exchanged for different types of vouchers? They could be for various uses, education, driving lessons and towards a car or vouchers for stores selling furniture or other useful things.

Probably sounds totally boring to teenagers but it'd be useful to all.

There you go, my ideas.

I've got my voucher, but not sure of the best place to invest it.

The government obviously has some strange ideas...They charge university students fees and make them get in debt, and babies who can't even talk get £250 (or whatever it is)...Okay I realise the money may help some when they get old enough, but some may also use it for drink and drugs...And who knows maybe even terrorist training

Are there any rules for the vouchers...such as they can only get the money if they prove they want it to further their education or start a buisness?

I've received a voucher about 6-9 months ago, but am not sure what to do with it so I've done nothing. How long do they last?

I have just invested mine with The Children's Mutual. I too had had Sam's voucher for about 6 months and had done nothing with it (there is no time limit to invest it, you just miss out on the interest you could have earnt) then i read an article about ctf in the paper and realised i was missing out on interest and my friend sent me this link to this CTF Leaflet which made me get on and sort it out..
I think it will be worthwhile - it might save me some money too when he gets it!

I invested our little ones when it arrived.

I will not be adding anything to it and even discouraged an eager Grandparent from putting money in.

I don't like the fact that once the money is in, you can't get it back.

I think that I could have invested it in something better, and more appropriate, if given the chance.

All the ones I've looked at require a monthly payment once it is set up. I don't want to do this so I don't know if I can set one up. Apparently when you have had it a year and done nothing, the inland revenue set one up for you. Surely you cannot be then forced to pay into it every month. It's just so much hassle, I have a savings book for all my kids, but then I have this stupid voucher thing for just the youngest. They can keep their £250 quid. It's just not worth all the messing about. With my savings accounts you can just pay in what you want when you want. You are not forced to pay in so much per month. You can also get money out whenever you need to. This has got to be better. The child trust fund is just a scheme by the government, so that when you have saved, it will be another excuse for them not to give you anything, just like a pension. All the people who don't save will get everything for nothing as per usual.

Why is everyone moaning when the kids of today are finally getting something for nothing? Yes, most will probably fritter it away when they get it at 18, wherever it's invested it won't be a huge sum of money anyway.

I know this is an old thread, but do you really find the ctf more painful than positive? The many times that I've wished my parents had saved just 10 or 20 pounds, dollars, rands (wherever we've lived in the past) per month...

I've got 2 kids of 4 and 3 yrs old. The 3 year old got the ctf and I've set up a regular debit in a share account. Both kids had PO accounts before and I want to cancel those and put them in share accounts (that I've got for my 3 year old). Will have to top up the 4 year olds slightly but that is fine.

Just think how your kids will love you one day in the future. The main benefit with the ctf is that it does encourage parents to at least think about saving for their kids. Surely that is to be encouraged.

I'm shocked that people are thinking that the money will be used on drink or drugs I guess those saying this aren't parents.

I think we should be more positive about the scheme. I do admit though it is complicated... it took 6 months for ours to come through after about 17 phone calls.

You said in your last post you wanted to buy breast implants.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathy_:
You said in your last post you wanted to buy breast implants.

If this was to me then yes I do, because the only thing that is stopping me moddelling is because I dont have breasts or height (I'm 5"4). If I can't get implants in my head 2 make me taller then I want implants in my boobs to make them bigger.

Just because I want them doesn't mean I'm going to get them. I want them so my life isn't so DULL and normal.

But because It seems I'll be poor for the rest of my life - I'm going to be normal....forever.
So the only thing that I can do is enter beauty contests, I was in Miss Coventry & Miss Northampton but thats as far into modelling as I'll go with these B's. I cant help wanting what I cant have.


Every girl has a dream right?


I don't know where my big speech went from this page but if there was any affensive language in there I do apologise I just got a bit passionate about the issue.

stephanie.xx