re: Kindergartners and Bank Accounts

There are a lot of good ideas in this thread.

I wasn't taking into account how cool it would be for him to go into an actual bank and open up an account. Maybe to start off I could put in $20 if he puts in $5, just to get him started and for the experience.

And even a physical jar where he in puts a dollar or two a week, until he saves up to a certain amount that can then be spent, would give him a good concept of letting money grow and the nice payoff at the end. Maybe it is time to start allowance with his associated "chores" (maybe even the fridge chore coupon idea), having that set savings amount be something that he has to put in out of his allowance every week.

The Disney stock with an actual stock certificate would be pretty cool. For that matter, I may research some other stocks related to stuff he likes and come up with a "portfolio" of stock certificates or something like that.

A DRIP might be an option in a couple of years, although some of the minimum payments seem high on a few of them ($50).

When I was in 4th grade, my parents set me up with an Exxon DRIP. Any money that I put in, they matched 100% and wrote the check. Preferring to play outside or read books instead of buying stuff, I directed a lot of my cash into the DRIP. I really liked watching the value grow, and the dividend reinvestment was the coolest thing for me. They continued matching 100% all the way through high school, allowing me to set aside a nice chunk of change and learn a lot about money along the way.

Maybe in a couple of years I will try the DRIP, but in the meantime thanks for all of the other suggestions.