Todd W. Cottingham 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 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.