The average 2016 college graduate holds $37,172 in student debt, a 6% jump in debt compared to 2015 graduates. While you may be planning back-to-school shopping lists for your young kids right now, you might think about carving out some time to set up a 529 college savings plan. These plans can help you build […]

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From choosing the right sunscreen to making sure they eat enough vegetables, the day-to-day task of raising kids is a lot of work. Add in big things like choosing the right elementary school, and it gets even more complicated. And paying for college? That one’s big and looming. When parents hear stats about the growing […]

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If every grandparent around the world has something in common, it’s likely that they love spoiling their grandchildren. If you’re one of them, lavishing these kids with gifts may be one of the biggest joys in your life. Yet it may be time to consider expanding your definition of indulgence. When you begin investing for […]

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So your child has been accepted to his or her dream school—or at least the college that offers the best fit. Congratulations! Now come the bills. It’s time to break open those education savings plans—529 plans, Coverdell accounts, and other college funding sources—and put them into action.  If you’ve been saving diligently for college, you’re […]

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Still smarting from the pain of their own college education costs, a majority of millennial parents say saving for their own children’s college educations is their No. 1 financial priority, ahead of banking funds for emergencies, saving for retirement, and even buying a home. At the same time, millennial parents appear to be losing ground […]

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In today’s world of rising tuition, what’s the value of a college education? It’s an especially pertinent question considering that, among 2016 college graduates who borrowed money to finance their educations, the average student loan balance is $37,173, according to student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz. For millennials, this makes quite a contrast to the student […]

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For kids, the idea of saving money doesn’t come naturally, but there are ways to teach children from an early age how to value money so that when it comes time to save for big-ticket items—cars, college—saving is a reflex. Lacey Manning, founder of LTG Financial in Ocala, Florida, says that when children are as […]

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Do you have a child heading for college in the near (or far) future? It’s exciting to think about all the opportunities a college education can offer, but paying for it might bring back nightmares of that final math exam you once barely passed. That’s why it sometimes pays to learn more about 529 college […]

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If you have children, or if you’ve ever been a student, you know that saving for college is akin to teaching children to brush their teeth—it’s an investment in their long-term well-being. Given the rising costs of college and the debt load many graduates (and their parents) may carry, it may be important to start […]

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Two questions: Do you have kids or grandchildren? Are you looking for a way to potentially reduce your tax burden? Your dear Uncle Sam might be able to help by offering education tax deductions. There are a number of different tax benefits for education, but they fall into two general categories: Tax-advantaged college savings plans. […]

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