Meet David Franey

I’m David, and I live in regional Victoria. Last year I became a grandad for the first time, and then the second time later that year! With retirement on the horizon, I started thinking about what the future might look like, not only for me but for my two granddies as well.

What inspired me to start investing for my grandchildren

I was out Christmas shopping and that’s when I decided – I needed to use my money for something better, I needed to start investing. My grandson was born in February last year and my granddaughter in September. I was looking for their first Christmas present and I thought to myself, ‘what do I buy two babies that aren’t even one yet?’

I realised that anything I bought would probably end up forgotten. They don’t need a 4ft teddy or whatever the latest trend is. Kids usually enjoy the box much more than the gift itself anyway! That’s when I decided that instead of buying toys, I’d do something more meaningful, putting the money into an account to invest for them, which I can then transfer to them when they’re 18.

I opened investment accounts for each of my grandkids for Christmas. I think of it as “the gift that keeps on giving” something that will still be growing when they’re old enough to use it. Each Christmas, they’ll get a certificate in their Christmas bundle that shows what I’ve invested into their account. Over time, they’ll see their balances grow and learn about the value of investing versus temporary things.

It feels good.

My gift will continue on, even if I’m not around when they’re 18. It’s something that might help them buy their first car, a home, or just give them a financial head start.

Why I chose Stockspot

Their parents already have the gift-giving side covered, so I didn’t need to add to that pile of toys, they have their material needs met and really don’t want for anything. Stockspot made it simple to take a different approach, one that felt both thoughtful and practical.

I did some research online, and that’s how I found Stockspot. What I liked straight away was that I could do it myself and avoid paying high fees. The system was easy to navigate, and it wasn’t nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be.

As I learn more about how investing works and what happens ‘in the background’ of their portfolios, I plan to pass this knowledge on to my grandkids. I want to teach them the value of saving rather than spending. Spending might seem fun but growing your money is much more exciting in the long run! 

I liked that the process was all online and the platform made investing feel accessible, even for someone completely new to it. I could set up the kids’ accounts, contribute whenever I wanted, and watch their portfolios grow over time from my app.

My goals for my grandkids’ investments

My initial plan was to invest for their first vehicles, but the choice is theirs. When they turn 18, I plan for them to take over ownership of their portfolio. Hopefully, with the guidance I intend to give them over the years, they can make what I’ve started for them grow themselves. I want to help them learn about money early, and to see firsthand what consistent investing can do.

I hope that my guidance will help them to keep going and growing, but I’m also happy for them to use the money for something material if they need it. What matters to me is that they understand where it came from and the thought behind it.

What surprised me about the process

Honestly, I was surprised at how easy it was to set everything up, and how simple it is to top up or gift investments.

I’ve mentioned that I’ve started an account for them to other family members, including their other grandparents, and they’ve popped money in too. It’s nice to think that we can all build this together for the kids.

My advice to other grandparents

I’ve already told a few friends and family members about what I’ve done, and everyone says it’s a great idea. Once I got past the fog of ‘how do I do this?’ it became fairly easy, I didn’t realise how easy it was!

Birthdays and Christmas are perfect opportunities to give something lasting. Often people hadn’t even considered it, thinking it is too complicated. It’s really not that difficult. That was always my barrier, that held me back from doing it for myself – I always thought, I just don’t know how to do it. So I didn’t do it. After I spent a bit of time and researched how to do it, that’s when I realised how simple it is with Stockspot. 

A message for my grandchildren

When they’re older I hope they realise Grandad was thinking of your future – and this gift will open up a number of possibilities for them.

Davids Client story has been published in The Australian – Why Grandparents are now giving investment gifts instead of toys for Christmas (19 December 2025).