LaKesha Page, Director of College Savings and ABLE TN, State of Tennessee Treasury Department
December 23, 2025
As the holidays bring peace of mind through connection with family and friends and the traditions that make each holiday special, we also have an opportunity to focus on what matters to us. For many families, this means cherishing the people we love and building a legacy that empowers our children to reach their full potential. As you prepare for the opening of gifts this holiday, remember: the greatest gifts aren’t just found under the tree. They are also in the actions we take to prepare for our children’s futures.
As a mother of three children in their twenties, I cherish holidays spent with them, and I also know how quickly time passes. It seems it was just yesterday that we were celebrating our first Christmas as a family. Now, each of them has grown into phenomenal adults. So much of their current success is attributable to early preparation. However, I did not do it alone – it was with immeasurable divine grace and support from family and an amazing village along the way. All three have completed post-secondary education. My oldest pursued his education at a trade school, and my other children attended traditional baccalaureate institutions. My youngest is currently in graduate school. Though their paths differ, they share a common thread: each is a happy and productive young adult, passionately pursuing work aligned with their talents, contributing to their communities, and building meaningful lives. Reflecting on their journeys, knowing preparation made a difference, brings me peace, especially when I welcome them home and spend time with them during the holidays.
I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. In my role as Director of College Savings, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with families about why they chose to save early for their children’s futures. One family, saving for their three children ages four, five, and eight, shared: “Having 529 accounts means we’re taking an active step toward each of their futures. It means their educational goals and career aspirations are worth planning for and investing in now.”
Another mother, saving for her three-year-old daughter, told me: “Saving early gives me peace of mind and hope for a bright future for my child.”
You, too, can have peace of mind through preparation, whether you contribute to an existing 529 account this holiday season, or whether this article is the impetus for you to open a new 529 account. By investing early, such as the family with three young children and the mother of a toddler, you’re not just saving money—you’re building the foundation and creating opportunities for your child to have a bright future. The earlier you begin saving, the more time your investment can grow over time. And, you also do not have to proceed alone. It takes a village, so invite your family and friends to join you in the journey by gifting into your child’s 529 account or establishing their own account.
Saving and investing in a 529 account is a way to manifest your belief in your child’s future, and it is an action with tremendous impact that could bring you peace of mind this holiday season and in the years to come.
About the Author:
LaKesha Page is the Director of College Savings and ABLE TN for the State of Tennessee Treasury Department. The TNStars College Savings 529 Program was launched in 2012, and ABLE TN was launched in 2016 under the leadership of Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. TNStars is designed to give Tennessee families high quality investment options at a low cost to help them put aside money for qualified higher education expenses. One of the nation’s first Achieving a Better Life Experience programs to launch, ABLE TN has provided a valuable resource to help individuals with disabilities save to pay for qualified expenses.