Memories of planning family road trips always come to my mind in the summer. Preparing for an exciting adventure is a rewarding experience. I planned several fun-filled road trips when our kids were young – creating special memories our family will never forget. Recently, it occurred to me that saving for higher education may seem like a completely different task, but honestly, the two tasks are more alike than you might think.
When my nephew was born, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful for him—something that would matter years down the line. I didn’t want to give him another cute onesie or a toy that would end up in a donation bin. I wanted to give him a future. That’s why I opened a 529 prepaid tuition plan the week he was born.
It wasn’t flashy, and no one cheered when I signed up. But it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Thinking long-term from day one
Recently, parents saving for college woke up to seven new executive orders on education signed by President Donald Trump. Three of these may have an impact on 529 planning and usage.
Read the full description and potential impacts on the Saving for College website.
Children’s dreams are limitless and often full of imagination and wonder. Many children dream of becoming firefighters, teachers, veterinarians, artists, writers, or astronauts. Some children never waver from their dreams, while other kids’ dreams evolve as they grow up. Either way, the path to achieving their dream will likely require hard work, a higher education path, and a plan to cover the costs associated with it.
Navigating life with a newborn can be exhausting, even all-consuming at times. It’s also filled with more awe and joy than ever imagined. Time flies by as clothes are quickly outgrown and motor skills are developed, including discovering the ability to create ear-piercing screeches. Most exciting is their unique personality breaking through, shaping their outlook on the world.
In December of 2022, the federal government enacted SECURE 2.0 of 2022, which delivers dozens of retirement-related provisions. Among them is the ability to make tax- and penalty-free rollovers from your 529 plan into a Roth IRA. You may take advantage of the Roth rollover provision with your WA529 GET or DreamAhead account as of January 1, 2024.
(November 26, 2024) - Traditions are often sentimental, full of fun, and build lasting memories with family and friends. One of my favorite holiday traditions occurs on Thanksgiving Day. I ask my kids to sit down and create a holiday wish list - complete with colorful holiday art decorating the margins. It started when my kids were little and decorated their wish list for Santa with holiday-themed pictures. I loved it so much that I asked them to keep up with the tradition of hand-written wish lists with hand-drawn art as they got older.
Summer is a time for fun and relaxation—especially for kids. But just because they’re taking a break from school doesn’t mean the learning should stop altogether. The trick is making it fun for them so they don’t realize they’re learning something!
Summertime provides plenty of great opportunities to teach kids important life skills, like saving money. Whether they’re earning from chores or receiving allowances, here are some creative and enjoyable ways to instill good saving habits in children during the summer months.
(September 5, 2024) - To most families with school-aged children, the arrival of September means back-to-school and diving into school year routines. The first week of September is often a flurry of last-minute back-to-school shopping, signing students up for extra-curricular activities or after-school care, and coordinating schedules to prepare for the year ahead. However, September takes on a whole new meaning when you send your kids off to another city, state, or country to continue their education after high school. It is a surreal experience for sure!