<p>We have not really been too methodical. We maxed our IRA contributions early in our marriage. We also bought some zero coupon bonds that would pay 4 years tuition to our flagship U when the kids were infants. Fast forward to now, S was able to get good merit aid so that his OOS private U wasn’t THAT much more than in-state flagship U. We continued paying H’s 401K & my part-time jobs helped us pay U expenses out of current income. We are also paying my max Roth IRA. </p>
<p>D attended CC for 3 semesters & then transferred to expensive OOS private U–fortunately we have mostly been able to pay from current income, especially now that S has graduated & has gotten a full-time job that he SHOULD be starting SOON (meanwhile he’s living at home & helping with decluttering & home improvements)!</p>
<p>Things should work out OK & we will be able to use the Coverdell IRA we started for S & D to pay D’s fall tuition for 2011 (giving it a bit more time to recover). Really looking forward to D graduating in May 2012! :)</p>
<p>We are very fortunate that H’s federal job will provide health benefits & a pension with survivor benefit for me that should keep us comfortable, since we’ve always lived below our income. :)</p>