Michael D. Barone SFG

College savings can feel tricky when you’re planning for a future your child may not follow exactly. Here are a few ways families can build in more flexibility:

-Keep 529s in context: They can work well for college and some qualified education paths, but may be less flexible if your child takes a gap year, starts a business, or chooses another route.
-Consider a backup account: Roth IRAs may let you withdraw contributions if needed, while keeping the money available for retirement if plans change.
-Don’t overlook free money: Merit scholarships, AP classes, and dual enrollment can help reduce future costs before the first tuition bill arrives.

See why a flexible college savings strategy may matter as much as the amount you save: https://bit.ly/4uyZScQ

The flexibility is real. Financial advisers say parents are missing out on these 7 alternative college savings strategies As tuition costs soar, money pros suggest some key backup plans if a child decides to skip higher education

Retirement planning gets harder when common myths make it seem one-size-fits-all. Here’s how to keep misconceptions from derailing your financial future:

-Look beyond one “magic number”: Your needs depend on lifestyle, location, housing costs, and income sources like savings, pensions, or part-time work.
-Know what benefits cover: Social Security may not replace a full paycheck, and Medicare may not cover premiums, prescriptions, dental, vision, or long-term care.
-Stay flexible: Changes to inflation, healthcare needs, market shifts, and lifespan can all affect your plan over time.

See which retirement myths could be shaping your expectations and what to do instead: https://bit.ly/4uD4Cyj

Retirement Myths That Confuse Americans Retirement is the ultimate financial goal many people plan for, yet it is surrounded by confusion and misinformation. Advice passed down from previous generations does not always match today’s reality. Many Americans are uncertain of how much they truly need to save before they quit their day job....

Retirement doesn’t have to mean stopping work all at once. Here are 3 ways to shape a next chapter that fits you:

-Ease in gradually: Cut hours, shift to a mentor role, or take a sabbatical. Staying connected to work on your terms feels more natural than a hard stop for many people.
-Turn passions into paychecks: Hobby jobs, travel gigs, and part-time roles in fields you love add income, structure, and purpose without the grind.
-Reinvent entirely: New certifications, entrepreneurship, or a second career can bring the fulfillment your first one never did.

Read more ideas for building a retirement that feels right for you: https://bit.ly/3RAfSN4

12 Alternatives to Full-Time Retirement Ease into retirement at your own pace and in a way that aligns with your interests.