In this episode, Vekevia Tillman-Jones jumps into one of the biggest financial concerns for parents—how to afford the rising cost of college. She breaks down how 529 plans work, the tax benefits, and what to do if your child doesn’t end up using the funds for higher education.

This week on Real Life Planning Podcast:

💡 How much does college really cost today, and how fast are prices rising? [00:01:20]

💡 What makes a 529 plan such a powerful savings tool? [00:09:30]

💡 What expenses qualify (and which don’t) when using 529 funds? [00:15:10]

💡 What are your options if your child doesn’t go to college? [00:20:35]

💡 How can you use 529 funds for K-12 tuition, student loans, or even a Roth IRA? [00:25:50]

💡 What are the best ways to get started with a 529 plan? [00:30:15]

Takeaway Quotes:

"If you have something growing at 6 or 7 percent a year and your savings account is earning 0.2 percent, that’s a big problem." -Vekevia Tillman-Jones

"The 529 plan allows you to invest, grow your money tax-free, and withdraw it tax-free for education—this is huge!" -Vekevia Tillman-Jones

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About the Real Life Planning Podcast

Hosts Cynthia Meyer and Vekevia Tillman-Jones explore practical steps for real estate investors to build financial freedom and make working for someone else optional.

The ReaL Life Planning Podcast is for educational purposes only. None of the information discussed is intended as investment, tax, accounting, or legal advice, nor as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, real property, or other securities or non-securities offering.

Real Life Planning, LLC is an Investment Advisor registered with the States of New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and California. All views, expressions, and opinions included in this communication are subject to change. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any financial instrument or investment advisory services. Any information provided has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy, or completeness of, any description of securities, markets or developments mentioned. Our current disclosure brochure, Form ADV Part 2, is available for your review upon request, and on our website, REALLIFEPLANNING.COM.