Funding college without derailing retirement.
Most parents want to help with education without sabotaging their own retirement. I help Houston families balance both — choosing the right account types, sizing contributions sensibly, and coordinating with grandparent gifts and financial-aid considerations.
At a glance
- Best for
- Parents and grandparents funding college; ages 0–18 of beneficiary
- Format
- Virtual anywhere in the US. In-person in the Houston area upon request.
- First step
- Complimentary intro call · 5–45 min
- Coordinates with
- Your CPA, Attorney, and Plan Administrator
01 · Who this is for
Situations I see most often.
- You have young children and want to start saving systematically.
- You're a grandparent considering a 529 in your name vs. the parent's name.
- You have a child entering high school and need to ramp up.
- You're balancing 529 funding against retirement savings and need guidance on tradeoffs.
- You have leftover 529 funds and want to understand the new SECURE 2.0 Roth rollover provisions.
02 · What's included
What the engagement covers.
- Plan selection — in-state plans, out-of-state plans, age-based vs. static portfolios.
- Contribution sizing relative to retirement priorities.
- Grandparent-owned vs. parent-owned 529 strategy.
- Financial-aid impact awareness.
- Distribution planning — qualified expenses, K-12 use, leftover-funds strategy.
03 · How the process works
A measured approach, in clear steps.
Goal setting
How much, for whom, public or private, in what state. The plan starts from the goal.
Account choice
529 vs. UTMA vs. brokerage in your name — each has tradeoffs in control, taxes, and aid.
Contribution plan
Monthly contributions sized so retirement isn't compromised.
Distribution coordination
When the time comes, qualified-expense matching, plan-distribution timing, and tax-form review.
04 · Common questions
Plain-English answers.
Which 529 plan is best?
There isn't one universal 'best' — the right plan depends on cost, investment options, and State platform.
What if my child doesn't go to college?
529s have multiple options: change beneficiary to another family member, hold for graduate school later, use up to $10K/year for K-12 tuition (federal rules), or, under SECURE 2.0, roll up to $35K to a Roth IRA for the beneficiary subject to specific conditions.
Should I prioritize 529 or retirement?
Generally, retirement first. Children can borrow for college; you can't borrow for retirement. We will compare for you.
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