College Savings 101: How to Pay for Your Kid’s Education

Several national polls have shown that parents who are currently saving for college aren't saving enough. According to FinAid, a comprehensive guide to college financial aid, a 2007 BankRate survey found that 86 percent of parents with children under age 18 expect their children to attend college or univeristy, but only 47 percent felt that they could afford to send their children.

Lyndsey Martin, 29, who is studying for a master's degree in teaching, says that she is saving for her son's education now, even though he's only a toddler.

"I think it's very important to save for Cameron's education. My parents did not save for my education and I'll be paying for my degrees even when Cam enters college," she says.

Clearly, the sooner you start saving the better. Even if you can only set aside a small amount in each pay period, that money will have more time to work for you the further away your child is from beginning college.