When my nephew was born, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful for him—something that would matter years down the line. I didn’t want to give him another cute onesie or a toy that would end up in a donation bin. I wanted to give him a future. That’s why I opened a 529 prepaid tuition plan the week he was born.
It wasn’t flashy, and no one cheered when I signed up. But it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Thinking Long-Term From Day One
Like most people, I’ve watched the cost of college skyrocket over the years. Even public universities are now charging what private schools used to a couple decades ago. When I thought about my nephew’s future, I didn’t want him—or his parents—to be buried under the kind of financial pressure that I experienced while paying for my higher education. I figured, why not do something now, when college is still 18 years away, instead of waiting and hoping everything “works out”?
Why I Chose Washington’s GET Program
Several states operate fantastic prepaid plans, but since I live in Washington, the GET Prepaid Tuition Plan made total sense. It’s Washington’s own 529 prepaid tuition plan, and it allows you to buy “units” now that are guaranteed to keep up with the cost of tuition at the state’s public colleges and universities.
One of the things I really liked about GET is that it’s super simple: 100 GET units equals one year of full-time, undergraduate tuition and state-mandated fees at Washington’s highest priced public university, although it can be used anywhere! So, I know exactly what I’m buying. Plus, the plan is guaranteed by the state, which gave me even more confidence.
And even if my nephew ends up going to a private or out-of-state school, the value of those units can still be used toward tuition. It’s not limiting—it’s flexible, and that mattered to me.
It’s More Than Just Money
To me, this wasn’t just about saving dollars. It was about making a statement: “I believe in your future.” Even if my nephew doesn’t fully understand it now, I hope that when he’s older, he sees it as a sign that someone was rooting for him from the very beginning.
It also inspired conversations in our family about saving for education. His parents are now contributing regularly too. What started as a small gesture has turned into a team effort.
No Better Time Than Now
Starting a prepaid plan through Washington’s GET program when he was born was a no-brainer. The earlier you start, the more you can buy at lower tuition rates, and the easier it is to spread out the payments. College may be 18 years away, but time flies. I’m glad I didn’t wait.
Opening that plan didn’t just give me financial peace of mind—it gave me joy, knowing that I had planted a seed for something really meaningful.
About the author:
Daniel Payne is a Marketing and Communications Specialist who has been with WA529 for 11 years, helping families plan and save for higher education.