Tag Archives: college savings

Lunch Money for Education

Here is a frugal idea that will both help you save money and help you build a college education fund. School lunches when you buy them at the school can be pretty inexpensive. The are usually subsidized by the government and well-balanced. This is very true if your school participates in the National School Lunch Program. That said, I can still usually pack a very nutritious lunch for my school-aged son that is much less expensive that the cost of buying the lunch. I also like being able to control what food is available to him and working with him … Continue reading →

Avoid the Dollar Syndrome

When planning for a big purchase or the future, do you often get bogged down with how much things cost? This can even happen even with smaller purchases in reverse. You see something marked down at 75% and have to have it, simply because it is a good deal. The problem with finances is money. Yes, this sounds odd, but in reality the actual money part should be the least focus. When looking at your financial situation, stop thinking about the actual dollars and start thinking about what you want or need. The question shouldn’t be “how much will this … Continue reading →

Money Saving Trends

Like anything else, there are trends when it comes to saving money. Are you keeping up with the status quo? Check the list of current money saving trends to find out. Retirement Savings: In years past, most individuals didn’t think much about their retirement savings. Companies often offered nice pension plans and for those that didn’t have that, Social Security was a given. In today’s times, Social Security is uncertain and most businesses don’t offer any sort of large pension. This has opened the door for consumers to create their own retirement savings accounts – with 401k programs and IRAs … Continue reading →

College Savings Plans and the Class of 2010

Remember back in 2001, when the President’s new tax code went into effect, so many of the changes were set to expire in 2010? This included withdrawals from 529 college savings plans being tax free if they were used for higher education. Well, the class of 2010 will enter college in September. So if you are saving for a child who is not going to graduate from high school this year, is the 529 still a good deal for you? Consider the worst case scenario – in 2010 the withdrawals are taxed. A 529 is still a great way to … Continue reading →