Build Family Wealth and Happiness.

Fill out this form to receive our free 39-page Family Wealth and Happiness guidebook. You'll also receive periodic updates from me to help you take your family to the next level.

April 17, 2017

Skip the Toy and Give the Gift of College – with Wayne Weber

Skip-the-Toy-and-Give-the-Gift-of-College-Wordpress

This post may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the author's alone, and this content has not been provided by, reviewed, approved or endorsed by any advertiser. Information shared on this site is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice.

The cost of college is completely out of control. Every year, the cost to attend a 4-year university increases by twice the inflation rate. To put it in some more personal terms, by the time my 5-year old little girl goes to undergrad, we’ll need around $200,000 to make a 4-year in-state university a reality. Did I mention I have two kids?!

The other major crisis affecting our country right now is the massive amount of student loan debt we all have. According to Time in 2016, more than two-thirds of college grads graduated with debt, and their average debt at graduation was about $35,000. According to that article, this number will be tripling in the next two decades.

In 2014, US News and World Report said that the average bachelor’s degree holder takes 21 years to pay off their student loans. 21 years! So not only are we strapped with huge debt, but we’re strapped with it for a long time.

What is a young parent to do?

Last month, we chatted with Jocelyn Paonita about her ability to earn $126,000 in scholarships and get a free ride through college. Scholarships are one part of the solution.

We can also encourage our children to work and pay for college. I'm going through a challenge this month to get my daughter to understand how hard work equals reward through the development of a chore system. 

Outside of scholarships and working during high school and college, a 529 savings plancan be a huge piece of the puzzle. If you’re not familiar with 529s, these are tax advantaged investments accounts that allow people like us to save up for our kiddos to go to college in the future. The key is to start early so you can take advantage of compound interest. You also need to contribute consistently so the account grows over time.

My guest today is a 529 champion. Wayne Weber is the CEO of a company called Gift of College. This company provides college savings gift cards that act like a gift registry (much like a wedding or baby shower registry, but it's for college). These cards can be used for both 529 college savings and for paying down student loan debt.

Wayne started this company to help bring awareness to 529s and to make it easier for people to give the gift of college to friends and family. The company has become so successful that you can now buy these physical gift cards at Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide.

Gift of College Cards

What are we covering today?

On the show today, Wayne and I discuss:

  • How the Gift of College process works
  • The importance of early 529 savings
  • The state of the student debt crisis
  • Where the future of college is going

If you love someone with student loans or someone who wants to go to college someday, take a listen to today’s show. You can be a part of the solution for this major student debt crisis.

Show Resources

How to Retire in 6 Easy Steps – New Course from early retirement guru, Dylin Redling. Be sure to use coupon code “MKM-10” for a 10% discount.

Gift of College

Find a 529 Plan Near You

PwC Helps Launches New Benefit to Pay Down Employee Student Loan Debt

New York Gets Free College

Guest Bio: Wayne Weber

Wayne Weber is CEO and Founder of GiftofCollege.com. He is passionate about providing families a simple and easy way to save for college tuition – bringing change to a complex process. Since 2008, Wayne has developed Gift of College into a social savings platform for parents, friends and communities with the aim of establishing the company as the leading gifting platform for college savings plans. GiftofCollege.com builds innovations and technologies that encourage the awareness, use and growth of college savings investment plans. Wayne has built significant partnerships across the industry to ensure that GiftofCollege.com supports not only the needs of the investor but also meets the high standards of the investing community.

Thanks for Listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, here are some excellent ways to help out the show:

I truly appreciate the support everyone!

Carpe Diem Quote

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” -Benjamin Franklin


Do you have a 529 college savings plan set up?

How does your student loan situation look?


Andy Hill

Andy Hill, AFC® is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping families build wealth and happiness. With millions of podcast downloads and video views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world. When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a Soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Marriage Kids and Money Podcast

About Marriage Kids & Money

The Marriage Kids and Money Podcast is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.

With over 400 episodes and counting, we share interviews with wealthy families, award-winning authors, and personal finance experts to help you find your version of family financial independence.

Scroll to Top