Planning for Your Children's Education

For most families, a child's education is among the largest and least negotiable goals they'll ever fund. And education costs have historically risen faster than general inflation, which makes starting early especially powerful.

Begin by estimating the goal in future terms, not today's prices. A realistic target, set against the year the money is needed, tells you what a disciplined monthly investment needs to be.

Match the approach to the horizon. A goal fifteen years away can be approached differently from one that's three years off, and the strategy should gradually de-risk as the date approaches.

Protect the goal as well as fund it. Ensuring the plan continues even if the earning parent isn't around is a core part of planning for a goal this important.