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 don’t need a six-figure income to build a future your kid doesn’t have to dig their way out of. A 529 plan is the kind of quiet, consistent wealth-building move that low- and middle-income families can make—without burning out or selling plasma to do it. If you’ve ever thought college savings were only for rich people, this is the article that proves otherwise.