05/29/2026
Since today is 5/29… it feels like the perfect day to talk about 529 Plans.
A little over 8 years ago, when my wife told me we were having a baby, my mind immediately went into overdrive.
So many unknowns.
So many future expenses.
So naturally… I decided to make myself even more anxious by calculating what college might cost 18 years later.
Yes, I fully realize that’s a little ridiculous.
But that’s how my brain works.
And honestly? Seeing those projected numbers did not help my stress levels.
What it did help me realize, though, is this:
Most parents genuinely want to help their kids with education someday.
But many families never actually open a 529 plan.
Not because they don’t care.
Usually because they think:
💠 “We’ll start when we make more money.”
💠 “What if my child doesn’t go to college?”
💠 “I have no idea where to even open one.”
💠 “We’ll figure it out later.”
The problem is… “later” sneaks up quickly.
One day your child is learning multiplication tables.
The next, you’re touring campuses and wondering how tuition somehow costs more than your first house.
The families who benefit the most from 529 plans usually aren’t the ones contributing massive amounts.
They’re the ones who simply started early and stayed consistent.
Even modest monthly contributions can add up over time thanks to:
📈 tax-free growth
📈 tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses
📈 and the power of compounding over many years
And with some of the recent rule changes, 529 plans are more flexible than many people realize.
Financial planning rarely starts at the “perfect” time.
Usually it starts with finally taking the first step.
