An Introduction of how all of this Started
Things really started much longer ago when I decided to have children in the first place. I grew up with mindset that College was as much of a necessity as clothing and food, but that would go back way too far. Instead we will just start with the normal beginning. Once the first of our quartet of children graduated from High School and was accepted into College, then distant thought became reality.
It is time to pay for College.
This Blog is devoted to one parent's efforts and travails in paying for not one, but four children's college educations. My wife and I are a blended family with two sons and two daughters. There is a brief window during summer when their ages this year are 15, 16, 17 and 18. More precisely, especially in terms of the looming financial time bomb for me - this year I have a 10th Grader, 11th Grader, 12th Grader and a College Freshman.
In other words, the next seven years are going to be a financial shit storm and fiscal rape.
I am fortunate in three respects. I started saving for college on a sustained basis for ten years. I earn an above average income. I have had the force (and peace) of mind to limit my exposure to in-state tuition here in Colorado.
I have also made a few decisions and commitments that will make things harder on my pocketbook. I am determined that my children avoid debt and particularly student loans. I have the continued fantasy that my children will move out and stay out of the house (holidays and vacations excepted) when they graduate high school - so room and board will be part of the equation. I have also determined that I will not go into debt as well.
So this year starts with our first little cherub, who I will call "A" who has been accepted to the Very Big University. This is year one of the next seven years of paying for College for four young adults.
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