FUNDING YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION WHILE PRESERVING YOUR RETIREMENT

 Save early, save often and understand the alphabet soup of options...

The cost of a college education increases every year, largely unbeknownst to you until you receive the bill. The pile of money you must save is staggering. If you have children, plan for college costs as soon as possible.

When it comes to saving for retirement, maybe you've done everything right. You started early, maxed out your 401(k) plan, invested in a diversified portfolio and avoided costly mistakes, such as cashing out your retirement plan. Fantastic. But now comes the hard part: making sure you don't outlive your money.

Whether retirement is around the corner or decades away, there are more options than ever to help you plan for it. Let's look at Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) plans, which offer tax benefits that can help you save for your future.