Swerdloff Law February 2018

INVEST IN YOUR GRANDCHILD’S EDUCATION ARE 529 PLANS RIGHT FOR YOU?

PREPAID TUITION PLANS States and some private institutions have 529 plans available that let you pay for your grandchild’s tuition up front, well before they are ready to head off to college. Some plans guarantee to cover a set amount of future tuition expenses in exchange for a lump sum or payment plan. Other plans allow you to buy “units” or “credits,” which translate to a fixed percentage of an institution’s tuition. Essentially, you pay the cost of tuition today rather than what it will cost by the time your grandchild goes to college. Prepaid plans are far less risky than savings plans, but they aren’t as flexible. They often limit options to state schools or select institutions, though most plans offer some form of reimbursement option if your beneficiary decides to attend another school. College just isn’t as affordable as it used to be. Knowing your options and finding a savings strategy early in your grandchild’s life can help ensure the avenues of higher education stay open for them.

taking the dog on a brisk walk, it’s not so important what it is as it is to develop those habits. If you can spend some time outdoors with the sounds of nature, you’ll do so much good for your body. There are also special areas to focus on in the winter as this extreme flu goes around. Our lymph system takes care of our immunity by cleaning out toxins that build up in our body. Exercise and massage help keep your blood flowing well, which helps properly flush out toxins. Meditation also has wonderful health benefits. On the days when I meditate for even five minutes, I’m so much more relaxed and focused as I go about the rest of my day. You grew up in Ireland and now live in California. What differences do you notice between the two places? The contrast that comes to mind is the climate. In Ireland, we live in a cold, wet 529 plans are income tax-free savings plans specially designed to help you invest in a child’s higher education. In general, these are treated favorably by financial aid assessors, meaning you won’t hurt your grandchild’s chances of receiving government grants. There are two broad types of 529 plans: college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. SAVINGS PLANS College savings plans use one or more investment portfolios to grow your grandchild’s tuition fund. Each portfolio contains a diversified mix of investments curated by the plan’s money manager. Most plans allow you to select from a menu of portfolio options that best fit your goals and risk tolerance. Many college savings plans start aggressive and then become more conservative as your beneficiary approaches college age. The downside with these sorts of plans is that there will always be risk involved; there’s no guarantee on investment returns.

There are many strategies out there for folks who want to invest in their grandchildren’s education. Different options may be more attractive than others depending on your income bracket and the needs of your family. Traditional strategies, like life insurance policies or paying for your grandchild’s schooling directly, only work if you have the capital. Furthermore, those methods can often negatively affect how much financial aid your grandchild qualifies for. Before you commit yourself to one of these paths, it’s worth exploring a third option: 529 saving plans.

LEARNING ABOUT RELAXATION FROM AN EXPERT

environment. Here in Southern California, we get a warm, sunny climate that gives us so many opportunities to be outside.

Something I bring to my practice from Ireland is its deep spiritual culture.

How can we find full relaxation through massage? Remember that we’re working together. I’m here to facilitate your relaxation through massage, so it’s important that you feel comfortable. Massage shouldn’t hurt. Sometimes we’re told to have the mentality that it hurts in a good way. That is not the approach we take. Pain is an indicator that something isn’t right, so if you feel any pain, let your massage therapist know. We are here to help you find relief from stress so you can reach healing and relaxation.

Since we’re talking about reducing stress, we thought we’d turn the topic over to an expert. Kieran Kennedy has built his life around helping people relax. As a massage therapist in Southern California, Kieran utilizes Esalen massage to help from Ireland, Kieran has found a home in our sunny state. Today, we asked him a few questions about relaxation. How can we take better care of ourselves? Regular exercise is important for well-being at every stage of life. Whether it’s dancing, playing tennis, or

You can learn more about Kieran’s practice at his website: leimertparkmassage.com.

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