OP doesn't realize they don't have the $$. $4.25M net worth including a $1M home and $2.4M in retirement. In reality, they only have $3.25M in liquid assets actually generating gains and of that $2.4M is pre-tax, so take out another $600K for taxes on the retirement accounts. That leaves $2.65M in liquid assets for this family. OP said income is $280K including dividends. That's not a lot. I hope those dividends are being reinvested. This financial picture isn't horrible at all, but they shouldn't be entertaining spending $800K+ on college. |
I’m a PP and this was us. We and our child’s (large public) HS counselor and our private college counselor were all convinced that if she shotgunned the T25, DD would have gotten into some of the private schools (of course with no merit.) The scatterplots all agreed. However, DD wants to go to med school or PA school. She also wants a school with sports and school spirit and, frankly, a less “nerdy” vibe. So she decided to apply ED to UVA, was admitted and we called it a day. |
| We opted for state school because ds is heading to grad school after and we want to save college savings for that stage. Same hhi as you but retirement savings are lower. It's been great not having to worry about the financial piece of college at all. |
This is OP. I am very well aware of how complicated admissions are and am under no illusions of where my kid will or won’t get in. I’m not sure what gave you the impression otherwise. The entire question is about how and if we make these decisions in advance and whether he even bothers to apply! |
This is exactly the issue. The OP doesn't know at this point what their kids are going to do after college. We were full pay for our DS at a T20 and now DD just enrolled in a top school that is just under $100K a year. Older kid has graduated and working and will be going to grad school hopefully this year. We will pay part of it and his employer will pay the rest. Younger one wants to go to med school or PA school. We will pay for that as well. We are retired, but have investments of $15M+. Only debt is $400K on a 1.3M home. The $15M does not include the home value, but does include the $370K 529 for our younger kid. We feel very comfortable with these choices due to our financial situation. The OP is considering something similar, but they would be taking a huge risk, unless they are expecting a windfall of money (inheritance, etc.). |
Oh FFS, what planet do you live in where 4.2 million in net worth takes on debt to go to college???? |
IDK about huge risk. I think it's more a question of comfort level and having a clear picture of what this means for the long run in terms of savings, potential child participation and some loans, than actual financial ruin or risk. My dh graduated from grad school with a huge amount of debt due to loans, but it's not hindered our lives in huge ways at all and it's now repaid. Would I prefer my dcs not deal with loans and start off with debt? Absolutely, which is why we're doing things the way we are. |
OP here. We can definitely make it work and also do so without much hit to our resources. But I genuinely go back and forth in whether it would be a good idea, hence my very measured OP. I’m not looking for anyone to back up a decision that’s already been made and appreciate the posts from people explaining how they made that choice. We have RMDs for some of our retirement funds, so we have to pull from retirement. Right now that’s to the tune of $25k a year (and included in the income listed). I also 1) have a very remarkable child with exceptional stats and more rigorous classes than are available almost anywhere in the country, who also has significant achievements inside and outside of school (not sharing any details for anonymity) but 2) realize that none of that is a guarantee for an Ivy (and it’s one specific school anyway that I’m not sharing here where he’d be a very strong fit for various reasons) but he certainly has the profile where he meets the minimum standards for consideration for admission to an Ivy which is all anyone can say |
$1M of that net worth is a home. So in reality it is only $3M+. Of That $3M, there is tax liability on the retirement accounts of over $2.4M, which I calculate to be at least $600K. So there really isn't much left for this couple's retirement because their current income is barely big enough to keep up with expenses ($280K including dividends). Like I said in a PP, the couple should think hard about their future plans and consider what lifestyle they plan for their retirement. |
My impression is based on your admission that this is your first student applying to college. We parents all think we know until our kids actually go through it. Maybe you are different. Wishing you all the best. |
$4m is “not a lot for retirement”. We live on $100k a year very comfortably. I disagree. We also have 15 more years to add to it, should we chose. OP here. |
This us a useful perspective. |
OP, do you want to leave your kids with an inheritance or do expect to spend all your money? Serious question. Because if it is going to be somewhere in between, you could end up at end of life with no money and being a burden on your kids. Consider this. |
This is OP. Our current income is not “barely enough” to keep up with expenses. What a bizarre comment! Our mortgage is $1000 a month. We have plenty of money and a very good lifestyle. A few years ago our income was $100k a year. We feel wealthy. We live within our means but we also take international vacations every year, save the max for retirement, live in a beautiful home and generally want for nothing! I guess your expenses are much higher than ours, which is why you made such an assumption? |
It’s pretty clear we’ll leave them with a very substantial inheritance at this rate but I have no specific plan to do so. |