I partnered with this brand in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

About five years ago my husband and I finally finished paying off the last of our student loans. Crazy to think that we were paying them so long after graduation but that is the case for so many adults these days. We know so many friends who finished with mounds of debt, some not even graduating because the costs got too high. My brother actually dropped out his last year of college because he couldn’t cover his bills anymore and didn’t want to add to his debt. Our parents were not in positions to help us nor did they even really know about the options of college savings. I was the first in my family to go to college and I remember everything being so overwhelming.

As parents, my husband and I do not want our kids to struggle or dread college because of the debt they will accumulate. Kids should be excited about college and starting their futures. We decided we are going to do what we can for our kid’s futures even if it means sacrificing some of our comforts. Do we really have to sacrifice vacations, daily spending or other small luxuries?

Did you know saving even just a little bit can go a long way? While college costs are rising every year, there are ways to make it easier. Paying for college can be easy if planning and saving is started early.

Need help with college planning and savings?

COUNTRY Financial has local representatives to help.