No matter how old your children are, it’s always a good idea to start saving for college as soon as possible. (Yes, even when they’re still in diapers.) This might sound overwhelming, especially if you haven’t started, but take heart, it’s never too late. Here are a few things to do before you start saving, as well as smart ways to gather the resources you’ll need.
Figure Out How Much College Will Cost
Is your child interested in a state school? A small private university? Or a trade school? Create a list of schools, do the math and figure out a ballpark number of how much you’ll need. When you do this, you can calculate how much per month or year you need to set aside. The truth is that state schools are generally a lot less expensive. However, because private universities rely heavily on private donations, they also have a healthy number of scholarships available. If your child is more interested in a trade school, these can be even more affordable, depending on what they want to study.
Create a Long-Term Spreadsheet for All Your Expenses
You may want your children to go to college, but that’s not the only goal for a family. There’s saving for your own retirement, paying your mortgage and credit card bills. You’ll also want to save for emergencies. A good rule of thumb is to save up for three to six months of expenses. All of this might sound tough, but if you create a priority list, it’s absolutely possible.
Start an Education Savings Account (ESA)
Also known as an Education IRA, this fund allows you to save $2,000 (after taxes) per child, per year. And here’s the best part: it grows tax-free! You’ll also most likely earn a higher rate of return than you would with a regular savings account. But know this: you must be within the income limit to qualify; contributions are limited to $2,000 a year; and the money must be used by the time your child is 30.
Consider a 529 Plan
If the ESA sounds too limiting or you don’t meet the income limits, then a 529 Plan is a great option. You can contribute up to $300,000, but this varies by state. What’s more, most of the time there aren’t any income limits or restrictions based on age. And again, the cherry on top: it grows tax-free. But something to be mindful of when you’re shopping for a plan is whether you want to choose the funds you invest in through the account. Some 529s offer preselected funds or automatically change your investments based on the age of your child. Also, restrictions may apply if you choose to transfer your 529 Plan to another child.
Look into a UTMA or UGMA
Otherwise known as Uniform Transfer/Gift to Minors Act, this option is different because it is not created just for college savings. The account will be set up in your child’s name, but it will be controlled by a custodian, which is usually a parent or grandparent. When your child turns 21, the control of the account transfers to the child. While there are tax advantages for you, a significant downside is that your child can use the funds any way she wants. (College or trip to Vegas?)
Saving for college, especially these days, might seem daunting. But it’s not impossible. In fact, if you chart a course and stick to it, you’ll be in good shape when those little ones of yours become all grown up.
These articles are intended to provide general resources for the tax and accounting needs of small businesses and individuals. Service2Client LLC is the author, but is not engaged in rendering specific legal, accounting, financial or professional advice. Service2Client LLC makes no representation that the recommendations of Service2Client LLC will achieve any result. The NSAD has not reviewed any of the Service2Client LLC content. Readers are encouraged to contact a professional regarding the topics in these articles. The images linked to these articles are protected by copyright and should not be copied for any reason.
Just when you’ve finished spending a bunch on swimsuits and stuff for grilling out, summer’s over and it’s time for the kids the head back to school. How did this happen? Here are some ways to cut expenses while shopping for all those inevitable, seemingly never-ending things that the season demands.
Create a Budget
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning and well worth it before you enter headlong and breathless into the frenzy of a superstore. Make a list of the things you need before you leave the house, then let your fingers do the walking and check prices online. If all this seems daunting, never fear, there’s an app to help: EveryDollar. It will walk you through all the steps you need to make a budget and stick to it.
Use Money-Saving Apps and Websites
In addition to store-specific apps, here are some others to check out before you race out the door. Hollar, known as the online Dollar Store, even has a Back-to-School section. ShopSavvy is an app with a barcode reader that lets you scan and compare prices, both online and locally. Flipp allows users to check ads and coupons from their favorite stores. And there’s also Groupon and Amazon, both of which are always great options.
Sign up for Store Emails
As much as you might not like sharing your email, this is one of the smartest things you can do – especially when the seasons change. In fact, many stores send out weekly emails. If this gets too burdensome, set up a separate folder for them. But remember this: sometimes stores dangle carrots to get you in. They often offer free things with a purchase that you just can’t say no to, such as fresh-baked cookies or free next day delivery when you pass a threshold of spending. So keep your eyes on the back-to-school prize and you’ll be golden.
Consider Used or Refurbished Items
Those necessary gizmos like computers and calculators can be pretty pricey when new. That’s why seeing what you can buy pre-owned or refurbished is such a good idea. Check eBay or Craigslist for deals, as well as major retailers like Apple or Dell for reconfigured electronic items. You might be surprised what you find.
Leave the Kids at Home
Whether it’s those little hands that put things in the cart or sweet, pleading smiles you can’t resist, it’s a fact: bringing your progeny along when shopping will drive up the cost. Set out on your own so that when you come back, they’ll be thrilled that you bought them a bag full of goodies. You’ll be happy and so will they.
These are just a few of the ways to keep your sanity and stay on budget while back-to-school shopping. If you choose one or all, when it comes to spending, you’ll be way ahead of the crowd and might even earn yourself an A+.
These articles are intended to provide general resources for the tax and accounting needs of small businesses and individuals. Service2Client LLC is the author, but is not engaged in rendering specific legal, accounting, financial or professional advice. Service2Client LLC makes no representation that the recommendations of Service2Client LLC will achieve any result. The NSAD has not reviewed any of the Service2Client LLC content. Readers are encouraged to contact a professional regarding the topics in these articles. The images linked to these articles are protected by copyright and should not be copied for any reason.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) – also known as Obamacare – was not the perfect solution to the nation’s need for affordable healthcare, but it did increase the availability of quality, affordable healthcare for small businesses. Companies that had struggled for years – not only to find affordable health insurance for their workers but also to negotiate double-digit premium increases every year – were relieved to have choices and manageable premium rate increases.  Following Trump’s inauguration, Republican attempts to repeal the ACA without providing an alternative solution recreated the nightmare for many small firms. The administration’s ultimate failure to kill Obamacare ended up being a relief for many entrepreneurs and small business owners, but many issues remain unresolved. Healthcare Reform.
Business owners see the need for a bipartisan effort to develop realistic and affordable solutions, which would enable the small business sector to thrive and continue to fuel our nation’s economic growth. Here are some of the concerns that leaders have identified:
A recent report from the Congressional Budget Office on the fiscal impact of the Federal government yanking the cost-sharing subsidies that support the ACA marketplaces (a revision that would most likely occur if Republicans continue to gut the ACA) suggests that insurance premiums for small businesses would increase an average of 20 percent next year growing to a 25 percent increase by 2020. Although the Federal government is required by current laws to pay these subsidies, President Trump has indicated he wants to stop these subsidies by any means possible as part of his mission to dismantle the ACA. The CBO has calculated that the potential economic impact on the federal deficit could be as much as $194 billion, because a move like this would require consumers to obtain additional tax credits to offset their premium payments.
The elimination of cost-sharing subsidies would likely lead many insurance companies to exit the individual insurance market, and could disrupt the health insurance marketplace and leave small business owners with limited access to affordable health insurance options.
Small business advocates oppose the introduction of any measures that would result in separate risk pools for the healthy and the sick, and want to see measures to encourage businesses to establish association health plans.
Sector leaders want to see steps taken to expand Medicaid. ACA already had provided coverage to an additional 14 million previously uninsured Americans – a total that includes an estimated 2 million small business employees.
Entrepreneurs want to see healthcare tax equity measures in place for the self-employed to allow them to deduct healthcare expenses from FICA tax obligations.
The small business segment is hailed as the champion of job-creation in the United States. If it is to continue in this vital role, lawmakers must expand efforts to do more to reform healthcare insurance.
No matter how old your children are, it’s always a good idea to start saving for college as soon as possible. (Yes, even when they’re still in diapers.) This might sound overwhelming, especially if you haven’t started, but take heart, it’s never too late. Here are a few things to do before you start saving, as well as smart ways to gather the resources you’ll need.
