529 Education Savings Plans For Dummies

There’s no question: The cost of college continues to soar, even when the rest of the economy stagnates, and this reality is not likely to change any time soon. Fortunately, everyone, including you, the various governments (federal and state), and the colleges themselves, are in on this secret, so everyone can plan and plot, well in advance of that eventual first day of your child’s freshman year, ways to get that child there, and ways to help you pay the bills when they happen. Consider this book to be your accomplice. 529 & Other College Savings Plans For Dummies is simply a way to find a reasonable solution to a seemingly unreasonable problem: saving for future college costs in the sanest, least stressful way possible for you. In keeping with the theme of stress reduction, you can use this book in a variety of ways: As a reference: It’s all here: the ins, the outs, the do’s, and the don’ts. The world of college savings is one of very specific rules, and they’re here, in all their glory, and they’re all explained. As an advisor: It’s a case of the very good savings techniques, the merely okay savings techniques, and the truly ugly techniques (which you really want to avoid), and this book highlights them all. As a little light reading: Amazingly enough, the topic of money can be mildly amusing, and college savings is no exception. Read this with an eye towards the absurd, and you won’t go far wrong. This down-to-earth book is designed to explain the strategies that are out there to help you save, save, save. There’s no doubt that the bill will be large; there’s also no question that, with planning, strategy, and purpose, you can achieve your goal. To help you get there, this book covers all these vital topics, and more: Evaluating all your resources Understanding the basics of Section 529 plans Working around the 529 shortcomings Contributing to Coverdell accounts Choosing savings bonds that work Looking at your investment options Searching for scholarships, fellowships, and grants Tapping into your Roth IRA Financial Aid 101 In this one-size-fits-all world, the powers that be have recognized that all people don’t save money the same way. Some save more, some save less, some can live with risk, and others can’t tolerate any risk. Clearly, no two are alike, but you’re all savers, either present or potential. Numerous options exist that make saving possible and desirable for everyone. 529 & Other College Savings Plans For Dummies is here to tell you that it is possible to understand the costs associated with college, both right now and in the future, and then find ways to pay for those costs.

Don’t let money get in the way of your kids’ best education 529 & Education Savings Plans For Dummies helps you sort through the vast amount of information about education savings accounts and choose the plans that are best for you and your family. A college or private K-12 education is generally parents’ single largest expense for their children. 529 plans and 530 plans (Coverdell accounts) are relatively solid investment vehicles that can make saving for college much easier, providing tax advantages that other types of investments can’t match. Education savings can be part of your overall wealth accumulation strategy, and this book can show you which plans are right for you, help you decide when to start saving, and guide you through determining how much to save per year in order to meet your goals—and help your kids meet theirs. Learn about the different types of tax-sheltered and tax-advantaged ways to save for education Create a saving and investment strategy that makes sense for your family Demystify the 529 and 530 plan rules and maximize your tax advantage Help set your kids on the path to success and to their college of choice This is the perfect Dummies guide for parents or family members who want to begin saving for a college or K-12 education and who may want to supplement their current savings with tax-sheltered, education-specific accounts, or tax-advantaged investment accounts that may be used for education funding.

There’s no question: The cost of college continues to soar, even when the rest of the economy stagnates, and this reality is not likely to change any time soon. Fortunately, everyone, including you, the various governments (federal and state), and the colleges themselves, are in on this secret, so everyone can plan and plot, well in advance of that eventual first day of your child’s freshman year, ways to get that child there, and ways to help you pay the bills when they happen. Consider this book to be your accomplice. 529 & Other College Savings Plans For Dummies is simply a way to find a reasonable solution to a seemingly unreasonable problem: saving for future college costs in the sanest, least stressful way possible for you. In keeping with the theme of stress reduction, you can use this book in a variety of ways: As a reference: It’s all here: the ins, the outs, the do’s, and the don’ts. The world of college savings is one of very specific rules, and they’re here, in all their glory, and they’re all explained. As an advisor: It’s a case of the very good savings techniques, the merely okay savings techniques, and the truly ugly techniques (which you really want to avoid), and this book highlights them all. As a little light reading: Amazingly enough, the topic of money can be mildly amusing, and college savings is no exception. Read this with an eye towards the absurd, and you won’t go far wrong. This down-to-earth book is designed to explain the strategies that are out there to help you save, save, save. There’s no doubt that the bill will be large; there’s also no question that, with planning, strategy, and purpose, you can achieve your goal. To help you get there, this book covers all these vital topics, and more: Evaluating all your resources Understanding the basics of Section 529 plans Working around the 529 shortcomings Contributing to Coverdell accounts Choosing savings bonds that work Looking at your investment options Searching for scholarships, fellowships, and grants Tapping into your Roth IRA Financial Aid 101 In this one-size-fits-all world, the powers that be have recognized that all people don’t save money the same way. Some save more, some save less, some can live with risk, and others can’t tolerate any risk. Clearly, no two are alike, but you’re all savers, either present or potential. Numerous options exist that make saving possible and desirable for everyone. 529 & Other College Savings Plans For Dummies is here to tell you that it is possible to understand the costs associated with college, both right now and in the future, and then find ways to pay for those costs.

Don’t let money get in the way of your kids’ best education 529 & Education Savings Plans For Dummies helps you sort through the vast amount of information about education savings accounts and choose the plans that are best for you and your family. A college or private K-12 education is generally parents’ single largest expense for their children. 529 plans and 530 plans (Coverdell accounts) are relatively solid investment vehicles that can make saving for college much easier, providing tax advantages that other types of investments can’t match. Education savings can be part of your overall wealth accumulation strategy, and this book can show you which plans are right for you, help you decide when to start saving, and guide you through determining how much to save per year in order to meet your goals—and help your kids meet theirs. Learn about the different types of tax-sheltered and tax-advantaged ways to save for education Create a saving and investment strategy that makes sense for your family Demystify the 529 and 530 plan rules and maximize your tax advantage Help set your kids on the path to success and to their college of choice This is the perfect Dummies guide for parents or family members who want to begin saving for a college or K-12 education and who may want to supplement their current savings with tax-sheltered, education-specific accounts, or tax-advantaged investment accounts that may be used for education funding.

What other type of program allows you to invest over $100,000 in a professionally-managed tax-deferred account for each child without regard to age or income level? Where else does your state offer significant benefits for investing, including tax deductions, income exemption, and even scholarship money? What other mechanism allows weal thier parents or grandparents to immediately reduce their taxable estates by hundreds of thousands of dollars without gift tax, and without giving up control of the assets?

Are you concerned you won't be able to afford the cost of college or career training for your children? Are you confused about how to start saving for your children's future? Have you heard of 529 plans but don't understand how they work? Do you want to sleep well at night knowing you're doing the best you can to help to help the children in your life fulfill their dreams whatever they may be? Discover how an easy-to-use saving and investing tool can help you prepare to pay for their education and avoid the debt and regret associated with not planning ahead. Author Patricia Roberts has helped tens of thousands of families prepare for the cost of higher education through her 20+ years of professional experience with 529 college savings plans. She explains in encouraging and easy-to-understand terms exactly how to put a savings and investing plan in place with just a few easy steps and how to stick with it over time. THROUGH ROUTE 529, YOU'LL GAIN: - Valuable information on how effective and easy-to-use 529 college savings plans can be; - Inspiration to get started and information on how to stay on track no matter where you are in your education savings journey; - Insight about how others can contribute so you don't need to go it alone; - Strategies to avoid the burden of student loan debt by making smart moves while on the road to college and career training; - Peace of mind and so much more! If you like easy-to-understand information, easy-to-follow steps that you can immediately begin to take, and encouragement and great ideas from a mom who's been through the process of getting her child to and through college debt-free, this book is for you! Get Route 529 today and hop in the driver's seat to get your children to the futures they dream of with the peace of mind you deserve.

Written for the individual investor, this 88-page guide explores the planning and savings options available to families that are saving for a child's college education. The areas covered include: affording the college of your choice; comparing college savings alternatives such as 529 plans, Coverdell education savings accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, and taxable investment accounts; transferring assets between accounts; financial aid considerations; and putting your college savings plan together.

Guide to Understanding 529 Plans provides a concise and lively introduction to these popular college savings plans, with special sections on how to choose and enroll in a plan, make contributions, and take full advantage of tax-free withdrawals. With its engaging graphics and clear explanations, the guide cuts through the confusion and gets you started on the right track.