You've heard it time and time again: Start that college fund before the baby comes home from the hospital. However, the truth of the matter is that very few parents actually follow that advice. Young parents face far more pressing financial worries such as buying a house, paying off their own college loans, financing a car, and trying to make ends meet as family responsibilities grow.
So, if you're like most parents, with little or no college savings, don't despair. There are a number of steps you can take to get your child educated and to meet escalating tuition fees without having to give up your lifestyle.
The type of planning you do for college costs is sensitive to the age of your child. If you can afford to start investing now for your child's education, great! Your goal at this point should be to put away as much as you can each month.
Some quick action steps that point you in the right direction:
How to Stash Away Extra Cash
Growth investments are appropriate when your child is young. Although bank or money market accounts are most appropriate when you're in the late stages of college funding (your child is 16 years of age or older), they may also be right for you when your child is young if your tolerance for risk is very low, or if you need the discipline of a convenient, periodic investment program.
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