How Much Should I Save for My Kids? | Ally (2024)

FAQs

How Much Should I Save for My Kids? | Ally? ›

So before you start, it's worth ensuring you have enough money in your own bank account before saving for the little ones. A good starting point when saving for your children is setting aside 3% to 5% of your net monthly income.

The common method of allocating one's income is to use a 50/30/20 rule. This means that 50% of one's income should go to fixed expenses and things that are needed, like buying gas. Next, 30% of one's income goes to wants or unnecessary spending. Wants are often entertainment or activities.

According to data published by the College Board, for a public 4-year in-state college, tuition and fees in the 2022-2023 academic year averaged almost $11,000 while private, nonprofit colleges averaged about $39,400. As a rough estimate, you'll want to put away: $3,300-10,000 per year for public college.

We know that raising kids is expensive — but just how expensive is it? According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture study published in 2017, the average cost of raising a child from birth through age 17 was $233,610 for a middle-income married couple with two children.

Babies are cute, but they come with a big price tag. According to USAFacts.org, as of 2022 the average middle-income family could expect to spend between $16,007 and $17,141 on child-related expenses each year. For newborns, the cost can be even higher.

Help them understand that sticking to a budget will help them reach their financial goals later in life. You can always use the 50/30/20 rule. Use 50% of your income for necessities, 30% on your wants, and 20% for savings.

Using The 50/30/20 Rule

The 50/30/20 rule is a popular budgeting method that works for all ages. It ties together many financial literacy tactics, including dividing income into three categories: needs, wants and savings or paying off debts. Your children probably won't cover much of their necessities if any.

Teach budgeting: An allowance is a great tool for teaching how to budget. Clearly define what the allowance covers (e.g., small purchases or snacks), and encourage them to save a portion (10 percent is a good starting point).

What happens to 529 when a child turns 18? ›

Once the account owner/beneficiary becomes an adult, they assume control over the 529 plan. With an individual 529 plan, the owner is usually a parent or other adult who saves money on behalf of a chosen beneficiary, typically their child.

Bottom Line. California's 529 plans provide a valuable framework for families to save for educational expenses with tax advantages, despite the absence of state tax deductions. These plans offer tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses, which can significantly boost savings over time.

For in-state, four-year, public college: minimum $300 per month. For out-of-state, four-year, public college: minimum $500 per month. For private, non-profit, four-year college: minimum $650 per month.

Have Enough Disposable Income. If $233,610 sounds like a lot, it's because it is. That amount breaks down to about $12,980 per year or $1,082 per month for one child from birth through age 17.

A family of four needs to earn at least $106,903 a year to cover their necessities in most U.S. states, a recent SmartAsset study reveals. The findings are based on cost estimates for housing, child care, transportation, health care, taxes and other common expenses, as tracked by the MIT Living Wage calculator.

The average cost to raise a child is $280,000 to $312,000 for a middle-income family, after factoring in inflation. Families with lower incomes can expect to spend around $220,000, while families with higher incomes often spend over $400,000. These totals do not include childbirth expenses or college tuition.

A long-held rule of thumb is giving $1 per week relating to your child's age (so $5 for a five-year-old). But of course amounts tying pocket money to a child's raw age may not work with today's economic conditions.

According to the Brookings Institution,¹ it could now cost an average of $310,605 to raise a little one to age 18. And that doesn't even count college costs. That's a lot of cash—but regularly saving a little bit starting when your children are young (or ASAP) could pay off over time.

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