Whether your kid ends up with a laptop or a pipe wrench in hand, a 529 plan can still be one of the smartest money moves you make. These accounts aren’t just about college anymore; they’re about flexibility, legacy, and finally beating the system that told us there was only one “right” path. And yes, I said that as a mom with a master’s degree and no regrets about rooting for her kid to go blue-collar.

You’re not bad with money—you’re just emotionally exhausted and trying to survive. Between daycare bills, work guilt, and “treating yourself” just to stay sane, your brain is playing financial mind games you don’t even realize. This isn’t about math. This is about psychology—and it’s quietly wrecking your budget while you scroll Amazon in your sweats.