I originally published this post last summer (if you can believe it, it was actually my FIRST EVER post!), but I feel like it’s really important to bring it back with everything I’m hearing in the news lately.

If you haven’t been keeping up, here’s what you’re missing: First, there’s the constant reminder that the projected cost of college for a child born in 2013 ranges from $150k to a whopping $400k.  Then, there’s the pending reality that in one year 1% of the world’s population will own 50% of the world’s wealth.  So if you’re not in that 1%, you’re actually more likely to get poorer than richer.

So why does this matter for college savings?  Well, lots of reasons. And of course, I’ve written them all down for you. 🙂

So without further ado, here are the reasons why you need to start saving now for your kids to go to college. And more specifically, why you need to put that money in a 529 College Savings Plan.

The last thing you want is your kids to start their life in debt! Here's how to start saving now to help them out.

 

Before I dive into my reasons, let me just provide a quick and dirty explanation for what a 529 College Savings Plan actually is.  Basically, it’s a savings account that the government will let you build tax free.  It’s like a retirement account for your kids’ college savings. There are lots of little benefits to that, but the bottom line is that it will save you money… or put more in your pocket depending on how you look at it.

So as you try to figure out your finances, here are some other factors you need to be considering:

 

Time Flies

The days are long, but the years fly by. Before you know it, your kids will be filling out college applications and you will be stressing over your finances. Why? Because not only will college be coming for your son or daughter, but retirement is likely only a mere decade away and that will not be when you want most of your money being funneled to your kids.

By setting up a college plan early, you will be able to take advantage of both incremental and compound growth. $50 a month will be peanuts if you wait until they’re ready to leave, but if you put that away starting from birth, you’ll have amassed over $10,000 for them – and that’s with no interest. The interest will likely add a few thousand to what you’ve got.

 

You’re Going to Need A Lot

This is a huge reason for setting up a college savings plan. It is going to be ridiculously expensive for our kids to attend college. If you use an online college savings calculator, you will find that to pay for their entire college experience, you would need to save almost $500 a month from birth! Most people will come nowhere close to that. Whatever you can do to lessen the burden will be worth it.

 

You’ll Get a Bigger Bang for Your Buck

This is the biggest reason to use a 529 College Savings Plan. When you put your money into a 529, it is not taxed, so you’ll actually get a little extra back each year in your tax return. It’s almost as if the government is matching some of your contribution. And this is not just pocket change we’re talking about.  This could equate to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the cost of tuition.

 

You’re Going To Do It Anyways

Maybe it will be because you worry your child won’t find work without a degree, maybe you think they’re not ready for the real world, maybe you’d do anything to help make their dreams come true, or maybe it’s just to keep up with the Jones’. Whatever the reason, odds are that you’re going to want to pay for their tuition (or at least part of it) when the time comes. So do yourself a favor and save what you can now. Your future self will thank you for it.

 

Give Your Kids a Head Start

It’s a competitive world out there and nothing feels better than watching your kids win. Having a college degree will give them an extra leg up, but the real advantage comes from leaving school debt-free. They will have more flexibility with where they live, what jobs they take, and when and where they settle down. And hopefully they’ll have the opportunity to start saving for their kids and their own retirement.

College may seem light-years away, but unfortunately it will take those light-years to save for it. Saving for college is crucial and a 529 Savings Plan is the best way to make that money stretch even further.  Good luck 🙂

 

If you’re looking for more investing inspiration, check out my Pinterest board for a collection of great investing advice from around the web:

 

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Why You Need to Set Up a 529 College Savings Plan for Your Kids

 

25 Comments on Why You Need to Set up a 529 College Savings Plan for Your Kids

  2. Ugh, I know you are right! We have invested a ton of money in Florida PrePaid, which is a plan that ensures a set rate for college expenses should your child attend a state school. There is no return on it, though, although you get your money back if your child attends an out of state or private school. Not as good as a 529, but better than nothing, I guess!

  3. Very informational. Can you believe I am already starting to save for my kid’s college and I don’t even have kids yet?!?! crazy.

  4. It does go by fast, and to start saving when they are younger is a great idea. We didn’t have enough to pay for our kids entire schooling, but we were able to pay a big portion. To not have that over their heads when time comes for school makes the transition easier for you all.

  5. Yes this is so true, I wish my parents set up an account when I was born! We have one for our son so that he will be set when he’s going to college.

  9. These are some great reasons! I know it would make it a lot easier for my little girl to graduate from college if she wouldn’t have to worry about paying for it!

  10. Time does fly! I am horrible at doing this BUT I started taking out max on flex benefits and then at the end of the year when I turn in my receipts, putting that in savings for college. Better than nothing.

  16. Yes time flies! I’m finding out how much college tuition has gone up since I went to college. My oldest children are 22 and 18 both in college. And costing us an arm and leg not really but you know what I mean. My son will be headed to Medical School next year that’s the bill I don’t want to see!!! So, we have been putting money towards our four year old’s college fund. I hate to see how much college tuition will be when he goes!! Thanks for the great info.

    • wow!! medical school! congrats! At least you know he will be set for life 🙂 That must feel so good.

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