A 529 plan can help you keep your college savings resolution

Turn your savings resolution into an achievable goal with a 529 college savings plan

Posted by Tom Rowley, Director, Retirement and Education Strategies on Feb 1, 2019, in Retirement

Time to read: 2 min

According to US News & World Report, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February.¹ The problem? Many people set overly ambitious resolutions with no tangible action plan to reach their desired goals — and as the old saying goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

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This season’s perfect gift idea? A 529 plan contribution.

This holiday season, give the lifelong gift of education

Posted by Tom Rowley, Director, Retirement and Education Strategies on Dec 7, 2018, in Retirement

Time to read: 2 minutes

My wife and I have always given holiday gifts to our nieces and nephews. As each child grew older, we did our best to tailor the presents to their individual personalities; we’d choose books and CDs for one child, and jewelry and gift cards for another. But keeping up with the trends wasn’t easy, and finding the perfect present for each child soon turned into a shopping nightmare each December — until we realized the perfect gift idea was right under our noses.

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Give thanks for college savings

There are many things to be thankful for this time of year, including the gift of college savings

Posted by Tom Rowley, Director, Retirement and Education Strategies on Nov 13, 2018, in Retirement

Time to read: 2 minutes

As the father of three college graduates, I know firsthand how exciting it is when students return home from school for Thanksgiving break — and not just for the parents. For many students, Thanksgiving break is their first trip back home since the school year started, making that long-awaited family reunion especially sweet.

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A 529 plan could help take your college savings from scary to sweet

Today’s trick-or-treaters are tomorrow’s college students. Are your savings on track?

Posted by Tom Rowley, Director, Retirement and Education Strategies on Oct 19, 2018, in Retirement

Time to read: 2 min

Things have a tendency to get a little bit scary around this time of year — and I’m not just talking about the little ghosts, goblins and ghouls knocking on your door Halloween night. I’m talking about what happens to your wallet.

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual spending survey, Americans spent approximately $9 billion in 2017 (up from $8.4 billion in 2016)¹ on Halloween celebrations, including candy, decorations and those cute kids’ costumes.

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Saving for college? Break these three bad habits.

It’s National College Savings Month — and there’s no better time to make sure your savings strategy is on track

Posted by Tom Rowley, Director, Retirement and Education Strategies on Sep 11, 2018, in Retirement

Time to read: 2 min

Parents — your kids may have headed back to school, but before you know it, they’ll be heading off to college. Fittingly, September is National College Savings Month, so let’s talk strategy.

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