| You've probably heard that by the time your child | | | | scholarships and financial aid, but you never know. |
| graduates high school it will take a fortune to go | | | | It is better to save too much than not |
| to college. While public colleges and universities are | | | | enough.You can simply use an online calculator to |
| reasonable for many families right now, the cost | | | | determine how much you will have to save each |
| is expected to rise to over $100,000 in 18 years | | | | year to reach your goal. Remember, interest is |
| from now. Want to send your child to that same | | | | working for you here, so it isn't as simple as |
| private school you attended? Be prepared for a | | | | dividing the goal by the time you have to save. |
| tuition of close to a quarter of a million dollars.But | | | | You will find that the sooner you start, the less |
| if you start right now, you are going to be just | | | | you put in.Keeping this in mind, a savings account |
| fine. Time is the biggest factor in saving a large | | | | or money market account doesn't pay very good |
| amount of money. It can work for you if you | | | | interest. Most advisors recommend that if you |
| start today. If you wait until you child is in high | | | | are starting early, you should be aggressive. |
| school, it will not be your best friend -- it will just | | | | Stock funds out-perform other investments over |
| move too fast.I don't know where to begin, you | | | | the long term. Remember, this is an investment |
| may be saying. So many parents aren't saving for | | | | that requires your attention. Don't just put it |
| their children's education because they really don't | | | | somewhere and leave it. Pay attention to the |
| understand what they will be facing. Many expect | | | | performance of the funds. As you get closer to |
| grandparents or other relatives to help out. But | | | | your child's high school graduation, start moving |
| they don't realize that 18 years is a long time and | | | | the money into more conservative |
| a lot can happen.Start saving now. Every little bit | | | | investments.Many people want to know which is |
| counts. Remember that the early you start, the | | | | more important, saving for retirement or for a |
| less it will cost you. Interest works for you in | | | | child's college education? You can do both. Make |
| many ways. Even a few dollars a week can end | | | | your retirement your priority, but don't ignore the |
| up buying several classes later on.Start by | | | | savings for your child. Parents that are disciplined |
| estimating what your child's education will cost. At | | | | in saving money will teach a child a lot in life. Just |
| 5% inflation, the average public university may | | | | as the college experience will.Martin Lukac |
| cost around $24,000 a year in 18years. If you | | | | represents an Internet consumer banking |
| have older children, the cost in ten years will be | | | | marketplace. is a destination site of personal |
| around $16,000 using the same calculations.Use | | | | finance, investing, taxes and mortgage rates. |
| these numbers to get you motivated. And yes, | | | | provides mortgage guides and financial rates and |
| some of the education costs may be covered by | | | | information. |