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We're going to start a 529 savings plan for LO. Not sure what we will be contributing yet, but definitely something annually.

We haven't started yet We want to do a 529 but right now it's just not practical for us. We need more money for ourselves right now in our savings, we're getting a lot done around our house (a new roof is being put on as we speak), and we just can't afford college yet. My Grandmother is in hospice, and while I'd obviously much rather have her around I do know that she won't be along much longer and we should get some sort of inheritance that will go towards LO's college.

I have mixed feelings on paying for LO's college. My parents paid for mine and I'm forever greatful. Life is a lot easier without paying off student loans! But my husband had to pay for his own college with loans and he isn't having any issues with it, so either way I think she'll be fine.

@twogirls: I thik it also really depends on what state you live in and what the state tax benefits are. That can really have a huge impact on how much you do and when you start doing it.

You have no idea how many times I have looked into this in the past 5 years. Every time I leave myself back at square one.

At this point I think we are going to set aside money but nothing in a specific "towards college" plan like a 529. I'm just not sure if a 529 is the best option for us right now.

@twogirls: I feel like I would love to help LO if we can, but if not it's not the end of the world. I used to be all about paying for it, but now I've realized that it's just not always possible and we have to look out for us and our retirement first. LO will be able to take care of herself

@regberadaisy: FWIW, my financial planner told us just to open a regular bank account so that's what we did!

We will start the official “LO college savings” once she is born – we get a small ($500) savings bond from the hospital we deliver at, through our state, and then we’ll take that and existing savings that are earmarked for LO’s college and put them into a targeted fund just for her college. We’re assuming it will be a 529 plan, but we are going to meet with our accountant once LO is born and discuss options with him.

To both my husband and I, college is non-negotiable, and so is offsetting some of the expense of college as parents. The expense is huge, so we want to start as early as possible!

We have a great 529 in our state, so we just went with that.

my parents took out loans, but i paid a chunk of it, and my HUBBY paid the rest of it for me. and we're still paying his. i think my hubs would want my kids to pay their own way but we may start a 529 plan. haven't gotten that far in our planning.