I started blogging 2014 but was on SA since 2006, so this my 20 year anniversary. WOAH. When I started I was newly married, student loans a boat load, i think we had over $100k, and no kids. I'm said to myself when we have kids we're going to pay for 4 years of university at a public school in state. Things change and it depends on the kid now. So parents don't beat yourself up. I am the the classic example of parent with curveballs! In state and public is likely not to happen. But that's a story for another day as you guys know.
The bigger, more fun story is my kids have $92k and $72k in their ESA. They are in 10th and 8th grade respectively. This is completely 100% in VOO, yep 1 etf. Nothing else. Just bought VOO every year boringly. how much? $2k/year limit has been the maximum. A little over $160/month. I don't know if i'd be less if I did it monthly or more but either way it's just $2k/year.
$2k in 2010 was a lot when we were still struggling and watching the budget carefully. And more in 2012 with 2 kids and $4k. I have to admit as I have been saving i've asked myself was I an idiot. I wondered how much would it really add up in 18 years? I had no idea it'd do so well. I was just hoping to start matching it and I figured I'd need $100k for 4 years at a public unversity in 2028. I'm quite off for our flagship it would be $160k for 4 years now so about $40k/year.
Yes it's not enough but if I had matched it into a 529 and I saved $2k/year in a 529 I would have almost $200k. It's the fact that just saving a little bit $160/month could make the difference bewteen loans and no loans.
January 15th, 2026 at 01:39 pm 1768484372
Are you considering making those funds more conservative as your kids get closer to college age? That is how 529 plans typically operate. If you search for "529 age bands," you will find examples of allocations based on age.
January 16th, 2026 at 07:02 am 1768546942
Also, I don't see what's wrong with VOO, if that's what you want to do. My own portfolio is based on mainly 2 ETFs so, eh? But then, I'm simultaneously a minimalist as well as NOT an investment expert, so don't take my word for it.
January 16th, 2026 at 08:03 pm 1768593817
It sounds like you have done a great job saving for your kids' college. You have done what works for you.
January 23rd, 2026 at 02:13 am 1769134380
January 25th, 2026 at 02:12 pm 1769350341
January 25th, 2026 at 11:15 pm 1769382940
We started the 529 when my daughter was 5 or 6 and managed to save up about $60,000 I think. We were able to cash flow most of the difference so it worked out just fine.
You'll be just fine as you have other resources outside of the 529 plans. At least this way, you won't have to deal with oversaving in the 529s and needing to get that money out.