Why we didn't save for our kids college. | 9 to FI 048

College Planning, 529 Tradeoffs, and Flexible Ways to Support KidsElliot and Josh chat about summer heat, an upcoming Colorado trip for Camp FI, and how long emails get ignored, then segue into college expenses and planning. Elliot references an Inside Out Money episode contrasting underfunding vs. heavy 529 saving (including a $600,000 example) and discusses 529 flexibility alongside concerns about over-saving and restrictions. Josh explains why his family avoided 529s, noting his children took varied paths (one degree, two partial, one no college), and describes focusing on controllable cost reducers like Missouri’s A+ scholarship (two years community college tuition) and earning credits in high school, plus covering books/fees and encouraging tuition reimbursement jobs. They debate ROI of expensive schools, the value of the “college experience,” alternative careers, and ideas for gifting money with guardrails or paying loans later to create “skin in the game,” acknowledging uncertainty about timing and kids’ choices.00:00 Summer Heat Banter00:54 Camp FI and Manitou Incline01:52 TLDR and Email Overload03:29 College Planning Kickoff04:19 529 Plans and Flexibility10:02 Scholarships and Community College12:56 Debt, ROI, and College Value21:35 Rethinking the Traditional Path28:14 Kids Finding Their Own Way37:53 Gifting Money and Skin in Game45:26 Wrapping Up and Next TimeDo you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!Contact Elliot: [email protected] Josh: [email protected]’s other podcast: Stuck In BetaJosh’s YouTube channel: How To Fix It WorkshopAny of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to youWe both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and BudgetingWanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠⁠Want to save money on gas, groceries and dining out? Try ⁠Upside!⁠Books mentioned in this episode:Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI