Make Your Kid a Millionaire

December 1, 2001
This book isn't as outrageous as its title makes it seem herein is sound advice for parents with young children. A financial planner and parent, McKinley stresses that providing financial security for our children doesn't concern money as much as it does freedom from ordinary economic pressures like earning enough money in a career, needing to work into old age, or struggling to afford the best possible college. Lessening these pressures, he wisely advises, "doesn't guarantee a life of quality, but it sure gives [your child] a better shot at happiness than not doing anything." McKinley's tone is helpful and humorous, and his style facilitates quick understanding. As a primer on investment vehicles (e.g., what's a zero coupon treasury?), this resembles the ubiquitous Personal Finance for Dummies (Hungry Minds, 2000. 3d ed.) but targets strategies and tips benefiting children (e.g., "a dollar a day saved at 10% annually gives a newborn baby over $2.4 million at age sixty-five"). A glossary would have been helpful, and the information here will become dated within a few years, but the price is very reasonable. For public libraries. Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Hartford

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.