We opened one for our granddaughter that my son & his wife manage (and we still contribute), and one in my name for potential future grands from either of our kids.
We opened one that we mange with our DS to continue to manage if necessary. We plan contributing for every birthday. Our son plans to open one for our GD as well.
I’m pretty sure 529s owned by grandparents don’t count against the student for financial aid, which would be one reason to go that route.
We chose not to do 529 plans, in part because one state where we lived had its plan go bust around 2008 and lawsuits followed by parents attempting to recover their money. We also preferred to maintain control of the money and how we invested it. GDs’ parents are not very financially savvy and would also tend to be rather miserly when it comes time to pay for anything.
We have funds set up in our names, POD our GDs, but they’re as much for designating their inheritance as for education. We’re now funding private school costs from cash flow/investments and will likely do the same for college if we’re around then. If we’re not, then the other funds should be adequate for college and beyond, assuming we continue to add to them as we’ve been doing.
see comment below: 
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We set up a 529 investment saving plan for each grandchild.
Parents opened a 529 prepaid tuition plan for each.
My grandchildren’s parents use my FA, too. We were advised that I contribue to the plan the parents set up. It avoids estate hassles should I die or become incapacitated. I think part of this rubric was that I am widowed.
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We contribute to a 529 account owned by GD’s parents. There is no way that GD will be eligible for need based aid, so sheltering it from being considered is not necessary. (Sure, something could happen that changes their financial situation, but due to other family members who would help with the cost of college, it’s not a concern in this particular case.)
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I believe this is now true. @kelsmom
And I don’t think contributions made from these accounts are an issue now either.
Yes, it’s true - only parent 529 counts now. Plus, grandparents can pay tuition without it affecting aid. (FAFSA only)
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Moved.
As mentioned in an earlier post, DH and I visited our grandkids last weekend. GS had a cold; GD had a stomach bug. I thought I was getting over the cold but now the stomach bug seems to have taken over. Enough already. I feel like crap.
Little germ factories, that’s what those kids are.
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Just got home from Nashville GD’s dance showcase. She’s 4 and has been taking a class all year with 3 of her friends from “school.” D calls their little group the Spice Girls. They are so absorbed with each other and were a hoot to watch. What a treat to get to see their performance. I also got to hold her 8 month old little brother part of the time and watch how fascinated he was with all the performances.
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I went to GD’s grandparents day, but it was called family day instead because some kids didn’t have grandparents nearby. There were a twin in the class who didn’t have anyone there except their nannies. They each had their own nanny. I kind of wondered what the parents were doing that no one could show up.
GD was so proud to show me around. It was great to see her with her peers.
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The twins ran in another Healthy Kid race today. Alas! Twin B suffered her first defeat, though she did come in 3rd and was just grinning the whole time she was running, having the best time in the world.
That is so sad about the twins.
The twin’s new school has a “Take Your Grandparent to School” Day every year (semester?) and I am very much looking forward to going. Since the school encourages parents and grandparents to volunteer, I plan to offer my services once a week also.
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Added #3 to the ranks.
Baby boy was finally born at 0104 today.
I spent Mother’s Day getting text updates from my SIL.
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Sad, but one never knows the circumstances.
I can’t wait for Grandparents Day/Family Day at GD’s daycare. But when my kids were growing up there were no grandparents within 800 miles so it was always a bit sad.
Same here–my folks had both passed away and my husband’s parents lived about 600 mles away. They were actually great and would have driven 600 miles for Family Day.
Congratulations, @mominva! It is very exciting to add another sweet baby to the family! I know those first snuggles will be wonderful!
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I recently declined going to babysit almost 4 y.o. GD who was sick. I have never said no before but I said I just don’t want to get sick…as I always had. They work from home and she is old enough now to be there, watching TV and resting. It worked out exactly like that. I am grateful to have dodged that bug.
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You were wise. Very wise.
Believe it or not, I’m still sick. I think the respiratory thing may have turned into a sinus infection. Now I’m on an inhaler, a cough supressant, and an antibiotic. It’s been 10 days and I still feel like crap.
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