The Best Way to Save for College : A Complete Guide to 529 Plans [Paperback]

Joseph F. Hurley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967032253 | ISBN-13: 978-0967032252 | Publication Date: April 2001 | Edition: 2001/2002 Edition

The Best Way to Save for College - A Complete Guide to 529 Plans (2001/2002) has been updated to include information on The 2001 Tax Releif Act and its effect on saving for college!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fantastic summary of 529 plans. This book should be read by anyone planning to send a child to college." -- a reader says...

"Before this book came out, good information on 529 plans was hard to find. Joe Hurley has done a terrific job of making it easy to get all the details on these plans. It's well researched and authoritative, yet easy to read and the presentation is balanced and thoughtful. Best of all, there's a thorough analysis of features in every existing plan. You'll learn what the best and worst features of every plan are, and find the plan that's right for you. This is a must read for anyone who is thinking of using one of these plans - or considering an alternative, such as a custodial account or education IRA. It has my highest recommendation." -- Kaye A. Thomas, Esq., Fairmark Press Tax Guide for Investors

"Finally, a book explaining pre-paid college programs in a way we can all understand." -- Deena B. Katz, President, Evensky, Brown & Katz, named one of the Best Financial Planners by Worth magazine

"Great Book!! . . . excellent and very easy to read." -- a reader says...

"Terrific guide to a new way to save for college. Highly recommended. This is the first comprehensive analysis that I've seen of an extremely important and relatively new way to save on a tax-deferred basis for your children's or grandchildren's college expenses. It's well-written, comprehensive, and objective, and it gave me enough data to make an informed decision." -- a reader says...

"The best book ever written about saving for college! This book unlocks the secrets of saving for college like the 401k plan did for saving for retirement. A real must for all families to understand." -- a reader says...

"This book is the most comprehensive book available on these types of college investments." -- Rick Darvis, CPA, author of PPC's Guide to College Financial Aid

A first rate work and the first to capture the dynamism of the prepaid plan market. This book is the bible of prepaid plan details, and all of us who study this field are grateful to him for his work. -- Michael A. Olivas, William B. Bates Professor of Law,

It's a delight to see a book on a complicated subject written, edited and presented so clearly and comprehensively. -- David Kinchen, Editor and Book Critic, The Register-Herald --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Joseph F. Hurley is regarded by many as the foremost Section 529 expert in the country. After the first edition of this book was published in 1999, he founded and is currently CEO of Savingforcollege.com LLC, an Internet-based publishing and consulting company that focuses on 529 plans. He is a frequent speaker on this topic at conferences around the country and is editor of a newsletter targeted to professional advisers called “The 529 Plan Report.”

Joe has practiced for over 20 years as a certified public accountant providing tax planning services to individuals, businesses, and tax-exempt organizations. He remains a partner at Moore Stephens Bonadio, a CPA firm headquartered in Pittsford, New York. Joe is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Financial Planning Association.

Joe became interested in the unique benefits of 529 plans in the wake of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. He wrote several articles and appeared in hearings before the IRS and Treasury in Washington D.C. to provide comments on the proposed regulations issued in 1998 under Internal Revenue Code section 529. In addition to a professional interest, Joe and his wife Virginia have a personal interest in planning for college costs, with two children ages 15 and 11. To date they have established accounts in over twenty different 529 plans (the large number justified only by the purpose of research).

Aside from offering books, newsletters, and other information services, the author, his company Savingforcollege.com LLC, and his accounting firm are independent with respect to the states and program managers that operate 529 plans. The views and opinions expressed in this book are not conditioned on, or influenced by, the approval of any state official or other employee associated with these programs.

The author does not render personal investment advice. Requests for other consulting and speaking services, and comments about this book, can be directed to Joseph F. Hurley at Savingforcollege.com LLC, 171 Sully’s Trail, Suite 201, Pittsford, New York 14534. You may also contact him via e-mail at [e-mail].

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bonacom Pubns; 2001/2002 Edition edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967032253
• ISBN-13: 978-0967032252
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,254,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific guide to a new way to save for college., June 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best Way to Save for College : A Comprehensive Guide to State-Sponsored College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Contracts (Paperback)

Highly recommended. This is the first comprehensive analysis that I've seen of an extremely important and relatively new way to save on a tax-deferred basis for your children's or grandchildren's college expenses. It's well-written, comprehensive, and objective, and it gave me enough data to make an informed decision. Before I opened the book, I had researched New York's plan through another source; I was delighted to see the discussion in this book present all of the plan's features (pro and con) that I had discovered--and more.

I haven't met the author (Joseph Hurley). But when I e-mailed a question to him at the address published in the book, I received a thorough and helpful answer later the same day. That's great service from the author of an exceptionally valuable guide.

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic summary of 529 plans, July 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best Way to Save for College : A Comprehensive Guide to State-Sponsored College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Contracts (Paperback)

This book should be read by anyone planning to send a child to college.After reading this book, I started college savings accounts for my daughterin New York and New Hampshire. This is definitely the "sleeper" tax break which everyone should know about. Forget the pitiful Education IRA. The 529 plans are where it's at!!

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever written about saving for college!, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best Way to Save for College : A Comprehensive Guide to State-Sponsored College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Contracts (Paperback)

This book unlocks the secrets of saving for college like the 401k plan did for saving for retirement. A real must for all families to understand. Makes a great present.