Surviving US childcare costs, and starting the college fund early.
Daycare, preschool and paying for childcareChildcare is one of the largest bills a US family faces — in many cities it rivals rent. Know the options and the assistance programmes before you assume you can't afford to work.529 plans: the tax-free way to save for educationCollege here is expensive, and the 529 plan is the standard American answer: investments grow tax-free and withdrawals for education are tax-free too. Plans are run by states — but you can use any state's.College costs, FAFSA and the community-college routeThe sticker price of US college terrifies everyone — but almost nobody pays it. Federal aid, state residency discounts and the community-college transfer route change the maths completely.