Sometimes maybe you wish there was less stuff in your apartment. Or garage. Or playroom. Sometimes it's hard to find the words to ask loved ones to contribute to a 529 plan.
We've written a few emails for you - feel free to copy & paste, or use these as something to react to so you can find the right words for you, your family & your situation!
(I wrote these emails from the perspective of my family, which happens to include two parents and two kids, but obviously edit to make them suit your family!)
Option A
Hi [names]!
With the holidays coming up, wanted to share a gift idea that [kids’ names] (and we) would be super-excited about!
The kids are fortunate to have a lot of toys already, and while they are of course always delighted to receive more, we want to give them every opportunity for long-term success and start focusing them on the long-term goal of going to college.
We’ve set up 529 college savings plans for each of the kids and would love to invite you to contribute. The amount’s not important, what we really value is creating an annual tradition where we remind them every year how much their loved ones value their education and what it means for their future, and are investing in helping them get ready to one day go to college.
Contributing a gift is very easy, you just go to https://www.ugift529.com/content/home.html and enter each child’s 529 plan code (listed below), then enter the amount you’d like to contribute. You have the option to contribute online by entering the routing number & account number that you see at the bottom of your checks, or your can opt to mail in a check w/ a personalized gift coupon that will ensure the check finds its way to the right 529 account!
[Kid name] [UGift code]
[Kid name] [UGift code]
Much love,
[Your names]
Option B
Hi [names]!
With the holidays coming up, wanted to share a gift idea. We know you want to get the kids something awesome for [holiday you celebrate] but our home is already packed to the gills with stuff...so we'd love if you do just 1-2 toys and make a gift to [kids’ names]' college savings plans.
We’ve set up 529 college savings plans for the kids. Contributing a gift is very easy, you just go to https://www.ugift529.com/content/home.html and enter each child’s 529 plan code (listed below), then enter the amount you’d like to contribute. You have the option to contribute online by entering the routing number & account number that you see at the bottom of your checks, or your can opt to mail in a check w/ a personalized gift coupon that will ensure the check finds its way to the right 529 account!
[Kid name] [UGift code]
[Kid name] [UGift code]
Much love,
[Your names]
Option C
Dear [names],
We’re excited [holiday(s) you celebrate] is coming up and wanted to share a gift idea for [names of kids].
We've set up 529 college savings plans for each of them, and would love your help in saving up to send them to college. The cost to a attend college has been sky-rocketing and student debt is a huge burden for so many young people. We’d love your help in making attending college without a huge debt burden possible for our kids.
Contributing a gift is very easy, you just go to https://www.ugift529.com/content/home.html and enter each child’s 529 plan code (listed below), then enter the amount you’d like to contribute. You have the option to contribute online by entering the routing number & account number that you see at the bottom of your checks, or your can opt to mail in a check w/ a personalized gift coupon that will ensure the check finds its way to the right 529 account!
[Kid name] [UGift code]
[Kid name] [UGift code]
We are so grateful for your love and support, thank you for considering this!
Much love,
[Your names]
How to protect your kids’ college savings
You have taken time to work on growing your kids' college savings. But even the best savings strategy depends on one key factor—your ability to keep contributing. What if an illness, injury, or even premature death prevented you from providing for your family?
Life and disability insurance help ensure that your financial plans stay on track, even when life takes an unexpected turn.
Get a life insurance quote or a disability insurance quote to ensure that a health crisis would not become a financial crisis.
