The Best Way to Save for College - A Complete Guide to 529 Plans, 2009 [Paperback]

Joseph F. Hurley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0981549101 | ISBN-13: 978-0981549101 | Publication Date: October 15, 2008 | Edition: 2009

With over 90,000 copies sold, The Best Way to Save for College has become the one book college-bound families and professional planners must have.

The Best Way to Save for College is still the number one resource on all 529 programs and other college savings strategies (including Coverdell Education Savings Accounts). Read below for a preview of this edition's chapters:

Section One
Chapter 1: History of 529 Plans
Chapter 2: Why You Should be Invested in a 529 Plan
Chapter 3: Section 529 Overview
Chapter 4: Financial Aid Considerations
Chapter 5: Prepaid vs. Savings
Chapter 6: What to Look for in a 529 Plan: A Checklist
Chapter 7: Income Tax Planning with 529 Plans
Chapter 8: Estate Planning with 529 Plans
Chapter 9: 529 Plan vs. Coverdell Accounts
Chapter 10: 529 Plan vs. Qualified Savings Bonds
Chapter 11: 529 Plan vs. Other Investment Alternatives
Chapter 12: Managing your 529 Account

Section Two
Section Two consists of a state-by-state comparison of all 529 programs. With more than ninety 529 programs to choose from, this comparison will prove to be a great resource in determining which program is right for you!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title." --Michael A. Olivas, William B. Bates Professor of Law

"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" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. --Kaye A. Thomas, Esq., Fairmark Press Tax Guide for Investors

"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" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. --Kaye A. Thomas, Esq., Fairmark Press Tax Guide for Investors

About the Author

Joseph Hurley is founder of Savingforcollege.com, a website considered by many to be the best independent source of information on Section 529 state tuition plans and other ways for families to plan and save for college. He has worked for over 20 years as a certified public accountant providing tax-planning services to individuals, business, and tax-exempt organizations. Hurley is also the author of the first comprehensive book on 529 plans titled The Best Way To Save For College A Complete Guide to 529 Plans. He has been widely quoted in the media, including The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Newsweek, and USA Today and he has appeared at hearings in Washington to comment on the regulation of 529 plans. Hurley graduated from Williams College in 1978 and lives with his wife and two children in Penfield, New York. In 2007, Savingforcollege.com became part of Bankrate, Inc. publisher of the Bankrate.com website.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Bankrate, Inc; 2009 edition (October 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981549101
• ISBN-13: 978-0981549101
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #711,738 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.