Discuss whether to go with a low-risk certificate of deposit or money-market fund, which might return 5% a year, or a stock mutual fund with the potential for more dramatic ups and downs.

可以和孩子讨论一下，是选择办张低风险的银行存折，还是买每年可以回报5%利润的基金，或者选择股票和基金，它们的起伏更充满戏剧性。

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But if you have less than five years before your kid sits down to freshman composition, a risk-free certificate of deposit, money market fund or even a traditional savings account is a better bet.

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Be aware that taking money out of a retirement account or selling securities at a sizable taxable gain rather than pulling cash from a certificate of deposit, money-market fund, savings or checking account could result in higher taxes on Social Security benefits if it bumps income above a certain threshold.

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