We Opened a 529 to Save for Education Before Baby Turned One—Here’s Why

Saving for your child’s future can feel like something you’ll “figure out later.” After all, when you’re in the thick of newborn life, just getting through the day (and night) is enough. But for some parents, that future starts to feel very real, very fast.

One of the most common ways families save for education is through a 529 savings plan, a tax-advantaged investment account designed for education-related expenses. It’s flexible, widely used and often easier to set up than people expect.

For four Babylist families, opening a 529 plan wasn’t about having everything figured out. Instead, they focused on taking one small step early on, and trusting it would grow over time. Here’s what pushed them to begin—and why they’re glad they did.

Start now—even if it’s small

For many families, the decision to start early comes down to one simple idea: time matters. To some, that looks like thinking long-term, while for others, it’s about responding to what feels urgent right now.

Nate Parman, Babylist dad of a three-year-old and a nine-month-old, says he started early because “even small contributions can grow into something meaningful.”

DeAnna Gurung, a Babylist mom of a two-year-old, was motivated by more immediate concerns: “The uncertainty of the economy and the growing cost of education made us want to do something now, rather than wait,” she says. 

529 Tip: Time is your biggest advantage. 

The earlier you start, the more potential your contributions have to grow (even if you begin with small, consistent amounts.) And, every dollar saved today is a dollar less families may have to borrow later. 

It’s flexible before and beyond college

While 529 plans are often framed as “college savings,” many parents see them as a way to support whatever path their child chooses.

For Haven Wertz, Babylist mom of a 16-year-old (he was one-year-old when she opened his 529), saving feels less about a specific outcome.

“It doesn’t feel tied to college specifically,” she explains. “It’s more about giving him options, whether that’s going to college, learning a trade or studying abroad, I want him to have the flexibility to choose what’s right for him.”

That broader perspective shows up across families, too. Babylist mom of two—a three-year-old and a one-year-old—Akira Olivia Kumamoto says she was surprised to learn that if her kids’ 529 funds go unused for education, some of that money can eventually be rolled over into a Roth IRA.

“I just hope the accounts can fund whatever passions they choose to pursue,” Kumamoto shares.

529 Tip: Think beyond tuition. 

Education savings can support a range of paths, including helping your child pursue what’s right for them, whatever that may look like. Funds can be used for a range of qualified education expenses, including tuition, room and board, books, certain apprenticeship programs and even up to $20,000 per year for K–12 tuition or things like tutoring and SAT prep.

Making it work with a new-baby budget

Of course, starting early doesn’t mean it’s easy. Between diapers, childcare and everyday expenses, adding one more financial priority can feel impossible.

“It was overwhelming, especially since I wasn’t making much at the time,” says Wertz. To make it more manageable, she started with $25 deposits every month. 

“I had to get past the “this isn’t enough” mindset and remind myself that starting mattered more than the amount,” Wertz adds. 

Other families take a more flexible approach. “Because he is so young, we haven’t put pressure on ourselves,” says Gurung. “We contribute what we can, when we can.”

529 Tip: Consistency matters more than perfection. 

Whether it’s a one-time contribution or small deposits over time, what matters most is getting started and staying flexible.

It takes a village—and they can help save, too

Just like raising a child, saving for their future doesn’t have to fall solely on parents. Because many plans make it easy to invite contributions from others, opening a 529 can also open the door to conversations about shared support.

“My parents actually opened their own 529 for [my son],” says Gurung. “It made us feel like we’re all working toward the same goal.”

That sense of generational support runs especially deep for Kumamoto—she shared that her own 529 account was started by her grandfather even before she was born. 

“My grandpa’s approach to caring for his future generations really shaped how I think about saving,” she shares. “I hope to grow my kids’ accounts enough that, if they don’t use the funds, or have any left over, they can pass them on to their own children or loved ones.”

529 Tip: Invite your village. 

Many 529 plans allow friends and family to contribute, making it easy to turn milestones into meaningful financial support. In some cases, contributions from grandparents or other relatives can offer additional advantages, too—such as helping families save without impacting the parents’ own finances.

If there’s one message these parents would pass on, it’s this: don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. Even modest contributions, made consistently, can grow into something meaningful over time. 

For families looking for a simple way to begin saving for education-related expenses, options like a 529 plan can offer a clear path forward—one that grows alongside your child. Because in those early days of parenthood, when everything feels new and uncertain, taking even one small step toward the future can feel like a powerful start.

Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. State tax treatment of withdrawals varies.

This article is sponsored by Vanguard Group Inc. (VGI). Babylist’s free site, apps and emails are made possible by our sponsors. We limit our sponsored content to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.