Family Lifestyle

5 Ways To Save Money and Pay Cash for College for Your Kids

Is it possible to pay cash for college for your kid’s education? Yes, it is! Learn how to plan and ways to save for your child’s college years so you can pay out of pocket.

5 Ways To Save Money and Pay Cash for College for Your Kids

How to pay for your child’s college education

We all know that education is the key to a child’s future, but do we know how we’re actually going to get there? I am partnering with ScholarShare to share information about the importance of saving for your child’s college education, and how to do it!

I know for certain that both of my children will be firmly guided directly into college, it’s the logical next step in our family. Graduating high school is a great accomplishment, but when high school is over, our kids’ education is really just beginning.

A college degree is a requirement

Did you know that the average college graduate makes close to 50% more income than a high school graduate during their lifetime? It is pretty much standard in the world we live in that when applying for employment today, you’ll always see, “Bachelor of Arts degree required” or something similar as the mandatory requirement for entry-level jobs. No degree = no callback.

So, it’s no surprise that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, high school graduates can expect to earn $1.2 million, while adults with bachelor’s degrees could see $2.1 million earned over the course of their lives. Got a master’s or doctorate degree? The salary just goes up, up up!

black man college graduate university school graduation

Why should you pay cash for college?

College is coming. Be prepared. No matter what age your kids are today, it is so necessary to have cold, hard cash, and plenty of it. Using various loans, credit cards, and other financial aid leaves most college graduates with a mountain of debt to pay, even before they get their first job.

Is it possible to pay cash for college? We say YES! If you know you want your kids to go to college without the burden of financial aid, searching for scholarships, and massive loans to pay back, it is imperative that you start planning NOW.

Money saving cash dollars usd

5 Ways To Save Money and Pay Cash for College for Your Kids

It gets tougher every year, but with proper planning, there are ways to pay for college without loans. Here’s how we’re planning to save for our kids’ college education.

1. Work an extra side job to save for college

Student woman holding books at school college universityThis goes for the parents and the children. If you can take up any odd jobs here and there, it will be well worth your while. Even if you’re only making $25 per month, this is a great way to stuff a little extra cash in the college savings account!

When considering paying for college out of pocket and your kids come of working age, they work a side job as well. Together, y’all should come up with a budget on how to spend their earnings.

2. Contribute regularly to an educational savings account

Oh, but not just *any* savings account. You need a safe, tax-free, income-producing account that is specifically for your child’s college savings plan. I use ScholarShare’s California’s 529 College Savings Plan for both of my kids, a regular savings account is simply not enough!

With a minimum contribution of $25, you can begin saving to offset rising college costs. All funds saved in your 529 can be invested in one of 19 low-fee portfolios and can be withdrawn tax-free when used for school fees: tuition, books, room and board, supplies, transportation and other personal costs, and school-related fees.

Scholarshare 529 Infographic

3. Children must participate & contribute a set amount per year

You can pay cash for college by contributing a set amount of money to your 529 or savings account per year. This can start at any age. I will personally choose the age of individual comprehension for my kids. Start small at maybe $25 per year, and increase the amount as they get older and have more income-producing activities, events, and responsibilities.

Write it all out, and keep track of what they’ve contributed each year so they can see their progress and know how much they have to go. A good idea is to motivate them by offering them a match!

4. Request gifts in the form of cash or college savings account contribution

Birthdays. Christmas. Hanukkah. You know the drill, you write out a gift list or people send what they want, am I right? When family and friends ask what you want for the upcoming holiday, send them a link to your ScholarShare account to contribute to your college fund to help you pay for college by yourself! If that doesn’t work, cold hard cash WILL: there is a low $25 minimum to contribute, so you could deposit the funds yourself.

DIY Money Diploma Graduation Cap Mason Jar Graduation Gift

5. Consider attending community college first

When the time comes near, it’s a great idea to start your college career at an accredited community college. Complete the required courses, complete your associate’s degree, and transfer to a 4-year college after that to complete your chosen major and get a degree, with only 2-ish years to go!

Community colleges cost less than half of the price of 4-year institutions, and a ton cheaper than private schools. I personally did summer school at a community college and saved a bundle.

ScholarShare California 529 College Savings Plan

Plan and prepare to pay for college – it’s coming!

It is so important that we’re planning and saving money for kids’ education ahead of time. Open up your ScholarShare 529 College Savings Account today, one for each child. The minimum contribution is $25, JUST DO IT. Put in a little more here and there, and send the information to family and friends so they can contribute.

If your kids don’t use the money in their accounts, you can withdraw the funds with a penalty fee and use them for whatever you need to. Stay on top of this, no worries. College is key, their future is waiting!

Learn more and connect with ScholarShare online

ScholarShare website: http://www.scholarshare.com
Follow ScholarShare on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/scholarshare529
Follow ScholarShare on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scholarshare529

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This is a sponsored post in part of a partnership with ScholarShare, all opinions are my own.
5 Ways to Save Money To Pay For College In Cash for Your Kids, Start Now!

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