There are many companies, not to mention people, having an extremely difficult time keeping their heads above water.  The financial issues we are all facing on a daily basis have become somewhat ‘suffocating.’  Every day we are attempting to figure out the next steps to solidify our industries, businesses, employment and – most importantly – how to save money for our children’s future, so that the next generation can be ‘placed’ into a world with the knowledge necessary to have a bright and financially stable life.  There are few businesses that are still offering their employees great healthcare plans, stock, 529 plans, and IRAs – and the ‘worry’ has taken over in more than one household.

However, there is one brilliant spot in the economy at this moment in time, and it is a company that has been able to put together a way for all families – no matter what their financial status – to be able to save funds for their children’s education.  529 plans are savings accounts that can be opened when your child arrives in the world.  From day one, you can begin to plan for the high prices that will be in place when your child heads off to college.

Mission Tuition is a brand new company that was formed so that all children would be given the resources to further their education by building just such an account.  All children deserve the chance to go to college, and parents and families are truly doing their best to learn and research the various ways of saving money for the next generation.  Mission Tuition was put together in order for parents, without putting a strain on their income, to save those much-needed funds far in advance, so that when college-age approaches the money will be there.

Mission Tuition is a truly amazing company that has taken 529 plans one step further, by providing a simple and FREE way for parents to begin saving. A truly easy savings plan is offered, where family members sign up with Mission Tuition who manage an “educational savings account” that is located at Wells Fargo bank, and you use the benefits of Mission Tuition to not only save money but also to help coordinate a fantastic 529 plan for your child’s future.  After becoming a part of Mission Tuition, everyday spending can and will help YOU save for college. They offer one of the largest merchant coalition in America to provide parents and families with the widest array of savings opportunities possible. Simply put, when you shop for your everyday needs, you save for your child’s education.

The Mission Tuition program is simple to use:  sign up for the program (FREE), do your shopping at the top retailers in all areas of industry – from groceries to clothing – and save.  The everyday shopping you do already with retailers across the country will finally help pay for college expenses.

From companies such as Petco to Walgreens, Nordstrom to SEARS, Old Navy to Bass Pro Shops.  From food and wine companies to groceries and toys, computers to appliances, with Mission Tuition you can save! By shopping at your favorite retailers, you can pick up brands you know and trust, while at the same time getting money back to place into an account that will be unbelievably necessary for your child’s future.

Readers, I cannot stress enough that this process is absolutely free. The reason why?  Because nothing is free anymore that is THIS beneficial to our lives. Mission Tuition offers easy enrollment.  Then, you simply shop for products you already need, and the advertised rebates that show on Mission Tuition’s website go directly into the educational savings account. You can use any of your existing debit or credit cards to make purchases, too!  And if your favorite card happens to earn miles or points, you receive them as well, in addition to Mission Tuition’s cash rebates – doubling your benefits with every purchase.  And all of this is “on top of” the in-store discounts you already receive!

Not only will the “educational savings account” reside at Wells Fargo as you research what the best avenues of education are for your child, but Mission Tuition is also there to give instruction and information about 529 tax deferred college savings accounts for your child. When you’re ready to access your savings, you simply let Mission Tuition know and they take care of the rest. You can request a check to withdraw funds, or speak to the incredibly knowledgeable staff at Mission Tuition regarding the transferring of the money.  Only YOU have access to your money for the funding of your child‘s education. If you already have an active state 529 tax deferred college savings plan in place, you simply notify Mission Tuition and they will send a check immediately for deposit into your plan.

Once you’ve become a member, savings is easy. Mission Tuition also offers valuable coupons for in-store discounts on dining, groceries, shopping and entertainment. Simply log in, select from YOUR favorite stores and start the savings. For even greater savings, you also have the option of applying for a new “Mission Tuition MasterCard” that will earn you additional cash rewards on all your purchases.

Over the next few weeks we are going to give you an in-depth look at this truly fantastic company that’s SO needed in this recession-wary day and age.  Everything is offered at Mission Tuition, from being able to inform customers and give them the ability to set goals, as well as information on how much you need to save for your child’s education.

They offer a calculator that can help you to better understand what the actual cost of tuition will be when your child is ready for college.  They teach you about saving early and the college tuition rates that increase every year. They talk about dedicating a small amount of your monthly budget to college savings and how THEY can help to offset the rising costs. And, most of all, Mission Tuition will help YOU to better understand and open that much-needed 529 College Savings Plan.

You can use the money you save in your 529 at any college or university, anywhere in the country. The plans differ from state to state, but all are free from federal tax. You might also consider a “Prepaid College Tuition Plan” to help lock in tuition rates now and avoid rising costs. Mission Tuition offers many links to show you how to plan for college and the responsibility that each member of your family shares. In fact, by including your children in the discussion, the whole family can understand the full cost of education and the value of planning for the future. Links are even available at the Mission Tuition site that contain information about paying for college in a format meant for your children to learn and understand.

To save enough money for your child’s college education you need to make a plan and start early – Mission Tuition can help you with both. When you sign up, they give you the flexibility to open a new 529 College Savings Account, deposit funds in an existing 529 account, or simply hold your savings in your Mission Tuition/Wells Fargo account as you continue to decide.  That way you are losing no time, and getting the refunds and benefits immediately.

Over the next few weeks we will be ‘opening up’ the educational landscape, and going over the many positives regarding 529 plans.  For a brief introduction to these particular savings routes: the 529 is a tax-advantaged investment plan that’s designed to encourage saving for a designated beneficiary’s future higher education expenses. The plans are administered by state agencies and organizations.  We will go over all aspects of the 529 savings plan and you will see that they are far better than a typical savings account.  One large reason for this is the fact that when you withdraw money for qualified education expenses from a 529, it is free from federal income tax.  Even better, many states also follow this rule, so you may not have to pay any state taxes either. But remember, as you learn and discover which 529 plan you would like to invest in, you can STILL utilize the Mission Tuition account to gather your rebates – you don’t miss a single day of reaping the benefits of this incredible system.

When this writer speaks about the fact that Mission Tuition has built up a coalition of thousands of merchants nationwide, this is no understatement. When you shop with the Mission Tuition merchants you SAVE, and your cash rebates are deposited into your educational savings account – no muss, no fuss. Several of these merchants offer savings opportunities of up to 15% of your total purchase. Also, when you shop in-person, you receive their advertised discount right there on the spot. So every time you shop – whether online or in-person – you can be sure that you’re preparing for your child’s future.