Being a vet today topped the tables as the job seven year olds would most like to have when they grow up according to Post Office® Savings*. However, if they have to rely on their pocket money to pay the university fees it could take a while as they receive an average of £3.24 per week! Post Office undertook the survey to mark the seven year anniversary of the Government’s Child Trust Fund (CTF) scheme, which saw children born after 1st September 2002 provided with a £250 voucher to be invested in either a cash or stocks and shares savings scheme. Although the age of 18 - when the funds mature -is a long while off for many, it seems some seven year olds have quite definite ideas about their future.

While becoming a vet tops the future career choices (12 per cent), closely followed by teaching (10 per cent), it seems programmes such as the X Factor and the fame of football are not without their impact. Eight per cent of seven year olds are hoping to make it as a professional footballer while seven per cent are hoping that stardom beckons as a pop star or model.

And when it comes to their finances, even at an early age money most definitely matters. Asked how much money they expected to have saved by the time they reach 18 a third (33 per cent) of seven year olds believed they would have amassed between £1000 and £10,000, while 10 per cent expected to have a million pounds in the bank!

Looking at the average weekly pocket money received (£3.24) a million pounds could be quite optimistic for some, especially given an unfortunate 27 per cent of seven year olds receive nothing at present. Almost half (44 per cent) admit to spending their pocket money on sweets with a third (33 per cent) opting for toys.

Even without regular ‘top ups’ from parents, the idea behind Child Trust Funds is that they will provide 18 year olds with a decent financial start to their adulthood. If given £2000 now almost one in five (17 per cent) seven year olds would purchase a car (although they may need to hire a driver too). Meanwhile six per cent would opt for a more traditional method of transport in the form of a pony!

Unfortunately for some seven year olds however, age might not bring total financial independence. Although over half (57 per cent) of seven year olds think that their parents are putting money aside for them when they grow up and leave home, only 13 per cent of parents are currently topping up their child’s CTF on a regular basis.

Richard Norman, Post Office director of savings, said: “This is a timely window into the minds of seven year olds which shows that many are quite optimistic when it comes to money! The Child Trust Fund scheme is an ideal way for parents or grandparents to put money aside which they and their children can then watch grow. And then when the children reach 18 they’ll be able to get that car, or pony if it’s still preferred.”

Top ten most popular jobs seven jobs old want to be when they grow up:

Top ten things seven year olds would buy if they had £2000:

The Post Office Child Trust Fund is provided by Family Investments.