What Parents Regret Most About College Costs

For many parents, the dream of sending their kids to college comes with a heavy financial hangover. In this episode, Steve breaks down the surprising new research showing how college costs are derailing retirement goals, and why nearly half of parents say they’d rather talk about drugs and politics than tuition costs. Steve explains where families go wrong, from overextending themselves to skipping retirement contributions, and offers smarter strategies to help parents fund education without sabotaging their own future. If you’re wrestling with how to pay for college, this conversation will help you find balance between supporting your kids and protecting your retirement.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏦 Skipping retirement savings to pay tuition backfires

🔄 How early planning eases the burden for everyone

🎓 Teaching kids responsibility with “skin in the game”

🛠️ Community college, trade schools & smarter alternatives

📈 Alternatives for flexible college savings

0:00 – Intro

2:28 – Parents’ Planning and Financial Burden

4:42 –College Debt vs. Other Debt

6:43 – Community College and Trade Schools

8:09 – Parents’ Reluctance to Discuss College Costs

13:44 – Shocking Impact on Retirement Plans