| Whether your children are still young or old enough to | | | | let this tool become something that actually costs you |
| go to college, paying for school is a challenge. While | | | | more money. |
| the returns on an investment in education are usually | | | | Clark also "suggests that you talk with your son or |
| huge, you don't want to spend a fortune on college if | | | | daughter about attending a 2-year community college |
| you don't have to. Here are a few things that might | | | | program and taking an additional 3 years to complete |
| help keep your costs down. | | | | the remaining two years while working part-time. |
| If your children are young, consider signing up for | | | | Attending a community college just about cuts the |
| uPromise. This website offers a great way to help you | | | | cost of a 4-year degree in half. Stretching out the |
| finance your child's education. Consumer guru Clark | | | | remaining two years to work will also provide savings |
| Howard says, "The method is similar to airline frequent | | | | benefits. Another way to save is to complete a 4-year |
| flyer programs with member merchants and | | | | degree in just three years." Earning college credit |
| companies contributing credits to your personal saving | | | | through high school AP classes or other means is a |
| for college account when you use services or | | | | great way for your child to cut down the amount of |
| purchase products." | | | | time it will take him or her to earn a degree. |
| It's free to sign up and the site offers ways to | | | | And, finally, make sure your children go to college to |
| increase your savings over time. When you've | | | | learn skills with which they can make a living, or at |
| accumulated rewards, you can have them deposited in | | | | least to learn thinking skills and disciplines they won't |
| a college savings 529 plan. The site has several to | | | | learn elsewhere. If your children go to school to party, |
| choose from. According to Clark Howard, the only | | | | socialize without studying, learn a hobby, or learn |
| downside to the plan is if "you end up spending more | | | | something they could learn on their own, then college is |
| with member merchants than you would elsewhere | | | | a waste of money. You want any money you spend |
| just to get the account contribution. You need to look | | | | on a college education to be an investment, not an |
| at the site as a win-win and shop wisely to receive the | | | | unnecessary expense. |
| ultimate benefit." So it's important to be careful not to | | | | |