529s on Shine

What to do about sadly decimated 529 college-savings accounts

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For those of us who jumped into 529 savings accounts as a great, tax-free way to save for college, the disappointment and worry when we check account balances in this down stock market is very real. So what do we do about it? First, get the big picture. Check in on how your 529s are performing...

Another reason to use 529s to save for college

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As if the tax deferral weren't enough, here's another good reason to like 529s as a way to save for rising college tuition and expenses: Hundreds of colleges tuition discounts, prepaid plans, and even scholarships for families that use 529 funds to help pay for college.

The best and worst 529 college savings plans

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Even with the stock market’s recent fits and starts, 529s remain one of the best vehicles for parents to save for ballooning college expenses. But how do you know which is the best plan to invest in? A new report on the best and worst 529 plans by Morningstar, the investment research firm, is a good place to start.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Morningstar finds most state-sponsored 529 college-savings plans offer lower fees and better investment options than they did in the past. However, not all are created equal, and some do very poorly and should be avoided.