 TITLE: 6 Steps to Financially Prepare Before Having Kids CONTENT: 3\\. Start Saving for College\n----------------------------\nIt might seem premature to start thinking about college when you're worried about finding daycare. But with the costs of higher education ever-increasing, it's smart to get a head start on saving for your children's higher education now. The sooner you start, the more your money will grow over time due to compounding interest, so you don't even need to aside that much each month to make a big difference by the time your child graduates high school.\nThere are several different types of college savings accounts and plans, but one of the most popular is a 529 savings plan. These accounts come in several different flavors; some let you set aside money that grows tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free for education, and others allow you to prepay tuition at today's rates. END