Monthly Godchild savings Yay or nay

aaaaaaaahhhhhh · 08-05-2019 08:02PM #1

Hey AH,
What do ppl think.

My GF was made god-mother of her friends kid two years ago, her friend has no siblings so she was first in line. They prob see each other once every two months etc(not as much like since her friend had the child).

Anyway she opened a bank account for the child and is putting 25 quid a month into it.

Shes been told(not by the child's parents) that there's no need to be doing that cos its not like your niece/nephew.

Should she continue putting in the money monthly(she puts extra in for Bdays and Xmas) or should she stop and just do the Bday/Xmas?

On one hand its only 25quid but on the other will her friend be p!$$3d that she stopped putting in the monthly amount, I think she was going to stop when the kid is 18.

banie01 · 08-05-2019 08:06PM

I don't save that much a month for my own kid! :pac:
Would be fecked if I'd do it for a God-child, niece or nephew.

It's a ceremonial role that these days is quite meaningless apart from the christening gift IMO.

Birthday presents and Xmas while the friendship is still good.
That said, quite often especially after the 1st child, godparents and real parents can drift

MyStubbleItches · 08-05-2019 08:07PM

Madness in my opinion. What happens if/ when she has her own kids? 25 quid a month will be a lot to be giving to someone else’s child’s future then.

Force Carrier · 08-05-2019 08:08PM

What the hell is your GF thinking? Inflation!

Rawr · 08-05-2019 08:09PM

I'd Birthday Gifts and Christmas should be the guts of it.
I've never heard of godparents maintaining savings accounts for their god children.

It sounds more like something reserved for the realm of the kid's *actual parents*, and the GF's plan to put away savings for the kid (although really nice) might come across as an encroachment into the responsibility of the parents.

Best bet I feel is to take some of that savings cash and use it on nice stuff for the kid.

Victor · 08-05-2019 08:10PM

It's purely down to what the donor can afford and whether the parents will accept it.

Note that people can accept tax free gifts like this up to €3,000 per year per donor.

08-05-2019 08:11PM

25 quid a month is about what you'd spend on coffee if you didn't really like coffee.

Not a big deal, but a nice sentiment. It comes to about 5k in today's terms, not going to change anyone's life.

bee06 · 08-05-2019 08:12PM

I would say birthday and Christmas presents are plenty especially for a child not even related to her. Sure who knows if her and the mom will even be friends when the child turns 18.

Signore Fancy Pants · 08-05-2019 08:13PM

Its a nice idea but fcuk that.

An 18 year commitment for a non-bloodline crotch goblin?

Nah.

Id spend the €25 a month on Topic bars and be happy. I got a pack of 4 for €2 yesterday.

Thats like 10,000* Topics in 18 years.

* May not be accurate.

s7ryf3925pivug · 08-05-2019 08:21PM

Bonkers but not your business unless you share finances and she contributes less than you think is fair.

08-05-2019 08:21PM

Dale Doback wrote: »

Its a nice idea but fcuk that.

An 18 year commitment for a non-bloodline crotch goblin?

Nah.

Id spend the €25 a month on Topic bars and be happy. I got a pack of 4 for €2 yesterday.

Thats like 10,000* Topics in 18 years.

* May not be accurate.

That's minus 3,000 Topic bars when you account for inflation and the next two recessions.

I'd invest in Wagon Wheels if I were you. PM me for a contact in Dealz.

Signore Fancy Pants · 08-05-2019 08:23PM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

That's minus 3,000 Topic bars when you account for inflation and the next two recessions.

I'd invest in Wagon Wheels if I were you. PM me for a contact in Dealz.

If it's a secret cache of 1990's Wagon Wheels, I'm in!

beertons · 08-05-2019 08:26PM

Forget the cash. Teach them things, bring them places. Money is just buying their friendship.

Victor · 08-05-2019 08:53PM

Dale Doback wrote: »

If it's a secret cache of 1990's Wagon Wheels, I'm in!

The might taste a bit off after about 29 years.

Fr_Dougal · 08-05-2019 09:45PM

Agree with the post about investing in Topic bars. Hazelnuts won’t be around forever.

Signore Fancy Pants · 08-05-2019 10:00PM

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Agree with the post about investing in Topic bars. Hazelnuts won’t be around forever.

God bless you Father.

gogo · 08-05-2019 10:18PM

I save a massive €5 each a month for my god kids.. it will amount to approx 1.2k by the time they reach college.. I told them it was theirs to
blow on what ever they want if they make it to college/further study whatever - technically it’s theirs anyway, it’s in their accounts I opened for them when they were born. It’s feck all, I don’t notice it nor feel hard done by it. I normally slip them the odd 20 when I see them, as is required by god parents, and I see them loads before someone jumps in.

Inflation will wipe it most of it out but still a nice token to hand over when (and if) they do start college and I will have done the leg work in saving it, so essentially I won’t have to shell out on another gift. Win

s4uv3 · 08-05-2019 10:23PM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

25 quid a month is about what you'd spend on coffee if you didn't really like coffee.

Not a big deal, but a nice sentiment. It comes to about 5k in today's terms, not going to change anyone's life.

No recession in your house, wha!

When I was 19 I inherited 7k. It changed my life in that it bought me my first car. I was a broke student, so saving that much back then was way out of reach.

meeeeh · 08-05-2019 10:33PM

I don't even expect presents from god parents for our kids. As a parent I would feel uncomfortable is someone commited to 18-year direct debit for my child. 25 Euro per month can become a lot when you are paying mortgage and about 1000 euro per month for childcare for your own kids. It's a nice sentiment but I think it would be better to give them larger sum in one go when they are 18 if you have plenty of disposable income then. I would lodge whatever she feels comfortable with for birthdays and Christmas and leave it at that.

gogo · 08-05-2019 10:41PM

meeeeh wrote: »

I don't even expect presents from god parents for our kids. As a parent I would feel uncomfortable is someone commited to 18-year direct debit for my child. 25 Euro per month can become a lot when you are paying mortgage and about 1000 euro per month for childcare for your own kids. It's a nice sentiment but I think it would be better to give them larger sum in one go when they are 18 if you have plenty of disposable income then. I would lodge whatever she feels comfortable with for birthdays and Christmas and leave it at that.

Harder to hand over a larger sum without having it ready or accumulated, don’t even notice the dd @ €5 but ..... I also wouldn’t commit to 25pm for someone else’s kid.

Alf Veedersane · 08-05-2019 10:43PM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

It comes to about 5k in today's terms, not going to change anyone's life.

I found a fiver in my pocket today. Did a lap of honour round the office.

gogo · 08-05-2019 10:46PM

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

I found a fiver in my pocket today. Did a lap of honour round the office.

Your not normal if finding a fiver or a tenner in your pocket doesn’t invoke this kind of response.

Heat_Wave · 08-05-2019 10:46PM

Stupidity

Alf Veedersane · 08-05-2019 10:47PM

gogo wrote: »

Your not normal if finding a fiver or a tenner in your pocket doesn’t invoke this kind of response.

That's ok. I did think framing the fiver was OTT but that's reassuring.

08-05-2019 11:06PM

s4uv3 wrote: »

No recession in your house, wha!

When I was 19 I inherited 7k. It changed my life in that it bought me my first car. I was a broke student, so saving that much back then was way out of reach.

oh Gawd, I came across as a right knob saying that, didnt I.

I should have said it wouldn't change things in the long term, so maybe put it into an investment fund where inflation wouldn't devour it and it should grow in real terms. 7k would change my life too!!

08-05-2019 11:14PM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

oh Gawd, I came across as a right knob saying that, didnt I.

I should have said it wouldn't change things in the long term, so maybe put it into an investment fund where inflation wouldn't devour it and it should grow in real terms. 7k would change my life too!!

which only leaves one question:

what gob****e spends 25 euro per month on coffee if they dont like it?!

Alf Veedersane · 08-05-2019 11:37PM

beertons wrote: »

Forget the cash. Teach them things, bring them places. Money is just buying their friendship.

It's also a very efficient way of buying their friendship.

€25 must be less than 20 minutes of your time bit you'd never bring them somewhere and back in less than 20 mins

One eyed Jack · 08-05-2019 11:46PM

aaaaaaaahhhhhh wrote: »

Hey AH,
What do ppl think.

My GF was made god-mother of her friends kid two years ago, her friend has no siblings so she was first in line. They prob see each other once every two months etc(not as much like since her friend had the child).

Anyway she opened a bank account for the child and is putting 25 quid a month into it.

Shes been told(not by the child's parents) that there's no need to be doing that cos its not like your niece/nephew.

Should she continue putting in the money monthly(she puts extra in for Bdays and Xmas) or should she stop and just do the Bday/Xmas?

On one hand its only 25quid but on the other will her friend be p!$$3d that she stopped putting in the monthly amount, I think she was going to stop when the kid is 18.

What does your girlfriend think herself about what she chooses to do with her own money?

aaaaaaaahhhhhh · 08-05-2019 11:50PM

One eyed Jack wrote: »

What does your girlfriend think herself about what she chooses to do with her own money?

That like it's only 25quid a month so what's the issue, but so many of her friends and family have told her shes crazy to be doing that for a non blood relative, where's she just thinks it's a nice thing to do rather than waste it on stuff the child prob wont use in two months.

One eyed Jack · 09-05-2019 12:10AM

aaaaaaaahhhhhh wrote: »

That like it's only 25quid a month so what's the issue, but so many of her friends and family have told her shes crazy to be doing that for a non blood relative, where's she just thinks it's a nice thing to do rather than waste it on stuff the child prob wont use in two months.

Sure if she’s happy doing it in that case. I just wouldn’t want everyone knowing about it though as it does give other people the opportunity to pass judgment upon her for doing what seems to make her happy. If she’s able to afford it I honestly don’t see why not. It’s not generally the done thing but it’s completely harmless at the same time.

freshpopcorn · 09-05-2019 12:38AM

If the news got out. She could find herself being asked by a lot to be godmother!

Monthly Godchild savings Yay or nay

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