​Feel like you’re behind on saving for college? You’re not alone. A recent study from Fidelity found that 70 percent of parents want to fully fund their child’s tuition and education costs. On average, however, parents are on track to cover only 29 percent of the costs by the child’s freshman year.1
 
College is a major financial challenge for many families. Unfortunately, it’s only getting more expensive. From 1988 to 2018 the average tuition for a private, nonprofit college rose 129 percent. Public college tuition rose 213 percent over the same period.2
 
The good news is there are savings tools available that are designed to help you accumulate assets specifically for education. Below are three such savings vehicles. Each offers its own benefits and considerations. Your financial professional can help you choose the strategy that’s right for you.

​Are you self-employed? Do you own a business? If so, you may be living the dream. You get to manage your own schedule and perhaps earn a living doing what you love. Your business is likely the result of years of hard work and planning.
 
As fulfilling as self-employment may be, it can also create difficult problems. That’s especially true when it comes to retirement planning. As a self-employed individual, you don’t have the benefit of employer retirement plans, such as a 401(k) or pension. Those plans can be valuable resources for traditional employees and help them accumulate assets for retirement.
 
Fortunately, you have other tools at your disposal. There are a number of retirement accounts designed specifically for self-employed individuals. In fact, some of them let you put away large sums on a tax-advantaged basis each year. Below are a few popular vehicles you can use to save for retirement: