AC

Now that little baby Bunky has arrived, several thoughts have crossed your sleep-deprived mind. Where are my keys? Why can't I follow the plot of Where's Spot? And shouldn't I be putting some money away for the tyke? Starting an investment account for a child is a nice idea. You'll probably want a fund that will take small investments. And if you're looking for good long-term returns, make sure the fund invests in large or midsize companies. First, we're talking about a future gift of money, not a college savings account. You should use a 529 plan for that, and those are a topic for a future column. (In the meantime, check out www.savingforcollege.com, which has excellent details on all the state 529 plans.) Funding an account for the baby can be difficult because young parents often have the problem that financial professionals call "having no money." Mutual funds, which were designed for the small investor, would seem to be the ideal solution for them. Many broker-sold...