Banking on college acceptance
Kai Ryssdal Mar 28, 2013
The private college 529 plan allows parents to prepay tuition at today's rates at some universities. The only hitch? Their kid has to get in.
Qualified expenses and 529 plans
Chris Farrell Apr 5, 2012
We have a 529 plan and also the option to take out a subsidized Stafford loan. Does it make sense to take out the loan and leave the 529 money alone, then pay off the Stafford loan after graduation? (I'm thinking that the 529 would still collect interest for a few more years, while there is now interest on the loan for a few more years.) Thank you! Gabrielle, St, Paul, MN
New baby, college savings and student loans
Chris Farrell Feb 15, 2012
My husband and I recently had our first child. We are considering opening a 529 plan for him, but between the two of us, we still have about $15,000 in college loan debt. Our student loans are locked in at a low interest rate (around 3 percent). On the one hand, we know that money invested in a 529 plan now will earn more over time than money invested later. On the other hand, it seems kind of odd to start saving for his college when we haven't finished paying for our own. Does it make more sense financially to open a 529 plan for him now, or to put the money we would have put into it toward paying off our own student loans first? Carol, Athens, GA
Savings options for college
Chris Farrell Jan 26, 2012
My son is 7 (will be 8 soon) and I need to start saving for his college -- fast. I know I should have started sooner but here we are now with fewer than 10 years to go. What are some avenues to saving for college and get a good return? DoVeanna, Tuscaloosa, AL
A family margin of safety
Chris Farrell Jan 12, 2012
My husband and I are late-in-life parents (he is 59 and I am 49) and we have a 1-year-old -- the absolute JOY of our lives. She is the only child for both of us and I am wondering about what you would suggest as the most cost-effective way to save for her future? Kathleen, Fergus Falls, MN
