One of the most common questions I hear from parents is: How can we afford college?  With tuition costs rising faster than inflation, preparing for higher education has become one of the biggest financial challenges for families today. The good news is that with the right strategy, you can harness the power of tax-free growth through 529 plans—and the earlier and more aggressively you start, the more dramatic the results. What Is a 529 Plan? A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged sav