Reaching Your College Financial Savings Goals: 6 Essential Steps

 

Reaching Your College Financial Savings Goals: 6 Essential Steps

 
 

- min read

Layout canvas

It’s no secret that each year the cost of college increases. In fact, a 2019 study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes that the cost of college has increased by 25 percent in the past ten years. 1

A tax-advantaged college savings account, or 529 plan, can help you take action and alleviate your worries. A 529 plan is intended to help students pay for college expenses. Money in a 529 college savings plan has tax advantages, is professionally managed, and may benefit from the power of compounded growth. A variety of investment options are designed to meet your needs, situation, and risk tolerance. Parents, loved ones, or even friends can set them up quite easily and at any time in a child’s life, from birth to elementary school to high school. It’s never too early and it’s never too late to start.

Here are a few tips for how you can set college savings goals and stick to them in 2021 and beyond.

1. Make a Budget

Do you ever wonder where your money goes each month? We all share the basic requirements of food, shelter and clothing. Some have car payments and other necessities too. But what about the rest of your paycheck? Many times we cannot account for our spending. Designing a budget can help. For beginners, the best way to start is to look at your bank statement. Pay attention to where your money is going. Evaluate essential versus variable expenses and adjust your priorities as needed.

2. Establish Goals

Make sure you include savings in the essential category. Some financial experts use the 50/30/20 rule: 50 percent of your money should be spent on needs, 30 percent on wants, and 20 percent on savings. The savings part is crucial—it can help you accomplish short-term and long-term goals, as well as prepare you for any unexpected expenses that may arise. Set realistic goals, stay on track, and make sure to include college savings as part of any plan. 

3. Start Early

It is never too early to start saving for your child’s education expenses. Children grow up quickly, and soon your kindergartener will be in high school. If you save now with a tax-advantaged savings account, you can help your child achieve more with less debt. Even if you don't save enough to cover the full cost of a college education, every little bit saved today can help reduce the amount of debt your child takes on in the future. And that's a worthy goal! Accounts can be used for four-year universities, community colleges, professional schools or trade schools, and the funds cover not only tuition, but many of the expenses that come with higher education: room and board, books, computers, and more.

4. Contribute Regularly

With a 529 account with The Education Plan, saving is made simple. There is no minimum contribution, so you can start small. Open an account and contribute as much as you can now; you can always increase later. The Education Plan also offers an automatic deposit system for seamless deduction from your bank account, so you never skip a contribution. You can step back and watch your savings grow over time.

5. Know the Details

With a 529 plan, earnings are reinvested in your account, setting it up for growth. Investment in mutual funds is a smart long-term strategy, as there is the potential for higher returns. In addition, if one child does not need the funds for college, the money can be transferred to another eligible family member. You can withdraw money from the account at any time, tax-free, as long as it is used for qualified education expenses.

6. Be Creative

Bonuses, raises, and tax refunds are great ways to increase savings. If you can maintain your current lifestyle before that raise, invest the extra money in your child’s future. For birthdays, holidays, and special events, encourage an investment gift rather than material items such as toys. Anyone can contribute: grandparents, loved ones, and friends.

1 https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/13/cost-of-college-increased-by-more-than-25percent-in-the-last-10-years.html

 

Peace of Mind

With a 529 tax-advantaged savings account, you gain peace of mind. The accounts are designed to help families feel less overwhelmed by the thought of college expenses. Whether you are a seasoned or new investor, have a 2-year-old or 12-year-old, a 529 plan with The Education Plan focuses on your unique investment needs. It’s user-friendly, flexible, and professionally managed, so you can focus on raising your children now, instead of worrying about them later.

Find out more
529 Savings Goals and Tips
 

Recent Articles

A College Savings
Award Program

The deadline to apply for the Saving for Success Award is December 21, 2022.

APPLY NOW

Ready to get started?
We can help!

1-877-337-5268

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW US
ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Education Plan® and The Education Plan® Logo are registered trademarks of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico used under license.

Privacy & Cookie Policy

Phone: 1-877-337-5268
We're available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT

OPEN AN ACCOUNT LOGIN
VIEW LEGAL DISCLOSURE

For more information about The Education Plan, call 1.877.337.5268 or view the Plan Description and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing.

Please Note: Before you invest, consider whether your or the beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in that state’s qualified tuition program. You also should consult a financial, tax, or other advisor to learn more about how state-based benefits (or any limitations) would apply to your specific circumstances. You also may wish to contact directly your home state’s 529 plan(s), or any other 529 plan, to learn more about those plan’s features, benefits and limitations. Keep in mind that state-based benefits should be one of many appropriately weighted factors to be considered when making an investment decision.

The Education Plan is administered by The Education Trust Board of New Mexico. Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC, the Program Manager, and its affiliates, have overall responsibility for the day-today operations, including investment advisory, recordkeeping and administrative services. The Education Plan’s portfolios invest in: (i) mutual funds; (ii) exchange traded funds; and/or (iii) a funding agreement issued by New York Life. Investments in The Education Plan are not insured by the FDIC. Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and the value of units will vary with market conditions.

Investment returns will vary depending upon the performance of the portfolios you choose. You could lose all or a portion of your money by investing in The Education Plan depending on market conditions. Account owners assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences.

Ugift is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC.

The Education Plan® and The Education Plan® Logo are registered trademarks of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico used under license.

All other marks are the exclusive property of their respective owners.

Not FDIC-Insured. No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee. May Lose Value.