How 529 Plans Fit Into a Larger Wealth Transfer Strategy
Most wealthy families treat their 529 plans the way they treat their utility bills, necessary and unremarkable, set up once and rarely revisited. That mental category does the 529 a real disservice. Done with intention, this account quietly performs one of the rarer tricks in the tax code, moving meaningful wealth out of a donor's taxable estate while letting the donor keep control of the money. Tuition turns out to...
Should You Use a 529 Plan, Trust, or Taxable Account for College Savings?
Choosing the right college savings strategy matters. Compare 529 plans, trusts, and taxable accounts to find the best balance of tax benefits, control, and flexibility. ...
The Hidden Benefits of Starting College Savings During the Holidays
The holidays bring plenty of traditions. You've got the cookie exchanges, the annual family gatherings, and the mountains of toys that end up forgotten by February. But buried under all those wrapping paper scraps is an opportunity most families overlook. While everyone else is buying the season's hottest gadgets and trending toys, you could be setting up something that lasts far beyond the new year. College costs keep climbing. The average...
How to Balance College Planning With Your Other Financial Goals
When your child starts kindergarten, college feels like a distant concern. But fast-forward a few years, and suddenly you're facing the reality that higher education costs are climbing faster than most family incomes. With the average college student and their families paying $13,760 out-of-pocket for the 2023-2024 academic year, it's no wonder parents feel pressure to start saving early and save aggressively. Here's the challenge: college planning doesn't happen in a...