Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Florida Prepaid through Bloggin’ Mamas. All opinions are entirely my own.
I loved college. I went to Florida State University and it was the time of my life! I drank, danced, tailgated & studied abroad. I met some of my very best friends there and fell madly in love with a hot & hilarious masters student.
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| Pretty sure this was taken with a disposable camera! Can you tell? Ha! |
Donnie & I did everything together, including sign-up for classes. He wondered why he was taking out THOUSANDS each semester in student loans… while I was paying just $50 bucks. The answer was simple… I had the Florida Prepaid College Program. There was a small service charge for each class, so 5 classes cost me $50. That’s it. It was amazing.
When my family first moved to Florida, my parents decided to sign me up for Florida Prepaid when I was young and I am still grateful for it. If I had decided not to go to a Florida school they would have been able to get back the money they put in, but I ultimately decided on FSU. I left college with a degree and not a single cent of debt from student loans. My husband accumulated a hefty tab… one that we are still paying for today!
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| Fast-forward 15 years.. Still going to Florida State games, and STILL paying off my husband’s student loans! (BTW: I was 8 months pregnant with Mila here!) |
So when we had children, there was no question. We both know from experience how awesome the Florida Prepaid program is… so we signed our son up when he was just a baby. We will be registering our daughter soon.
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| They both know all the Seminole chants. Obviously. |
Florida Prepaid offers two types of savings options: Prepaid Plans and 529 savings plans. There are five different types of Prepaid Plans and they can only be purchased during open enrollment. (which usually runs from Oct.-Feb.) The Florida 529 Savings Plan can be started at anytime, and all you need to get started is $25. Even if you can’t save for your child’s entire college education, at least you have something saved for them. The money in a 529 can be used for a number of college-related expenses: tuition, room & board, books, graduate school and more.
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| Go FSU!! |
Today is 529 day and if you haven’t given much thought about your children’s college education, or how they will pay for it… today is the day to start! Take a few minutes and check out the Florida Prepaid website. They have tons of options and you are sure to find something that works for your family. (& your budget!)
When my kids go to FSU (because really… what other school is there?) I know they are going to have an amazing time… and no student loan debt.
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Oh my goodness I wish we had something like this in CA (maybe we do and I don't know about it!)…I was fortunate enough that my parents started saving for college when I was born so I left undergrad without any loans but this program sounds even better!
Yes it is really good… I do feel lucky we have it in Florida.. with some great state colleges to boot!
We have the Florida prepaid for our oldest but are starting a 529 for Emy. So so important with the rising costs of education!
That's what we are thinking of doing for Mila too.. the 529.
I wish that we had this where we live. It looks like a great service!
Yes it is pretty awesome.. all my friends in college were jealous that I had it!
Wow that is an Amazing plan!! If we didn't move around so much I would be all over that!!
It is great, but I am pretty sure 529's are offered everywhere.. the prepaid program is exclusive to Florida. 🙂
What a great plan for families to have in place. We have started saving for our son's education in place of buying him birthday and Christmas gifts. It seems a bit mean BUT he gets so much from so many other people, he doesn't even notice.
That is a GREAT idea… my son prob wouldnt notice either!
Wonder if CA has something like that. I know it'll be hard financially to send Sammie. Unless we win lotto.
529's are available everywhere.. and you can save as much or as little as you want 🙂
Great tips! We really need to look in to these plans!
Yes they are def worth it!
This is so awesome! i really need to check this out in my state! Thanks for the great info!
Yes I know 529's are a nationwide thing..
Ahhhhh it's crazy to think college already for my toddler!!! I really should check this out though! College is crazy expensive.
I know… they will be grown up before we know it, even though I dont like to think about that!!
This is incredible!!! The savings plan makes so much sense!
I also love the team spirit of your kids & family.
Oh we are all about Florida State!! Whenever I find something in the kids size I buy it up!
We are in Florida and I have looked into this a few times. I think we are finally going to start them.
Yes we have been putting it off with my daughter.. we were a bit more efficient with my son! ha!
I still need to get on this..for both my boys..eek! NEED to SAVE…need to have more money to SAVE!
I know.. its one of those things you just have to start, even if its small.. then you realize its actually do-able.
such an important topic. we started saving the moment we had our little ones!
yes, many people think, "oh they are so little…" then before you know it.. it is college time! EEEKKK!
It seems almost impossible to think of my daughter in college! But we've started saving too. This sounds like a great program – makes me wish we lived in Florida!
Can you imagine? I have a niece and I remember when she was just starting school and now she is in college.. so I can see how it goes QUICK!!
This is a great topic to share, and I wish I could go back and follow this advice! Too late :/ My first kiddo is graduating college, and my 2nd is about to start. They both will have some debt to pay , as well as mom and dad. Can't stress it enough…start when they are little!
Thats okay too.. time flies I bet!!