Lock-in Tuition

With tuition costs far outpacing theoverall inflation rate, if you could buytomorrow's college education at today'scosts, you could save big bucks. That'sthe idea behind the Independent 529Plan (888-718-7878; www.independent529plan.org), which launched earlier thismonth. How does it work? Take thecost of a year's tuition at today's pricesat the college of your choice, put thatamount into the Independent 529 Plan,and when your child gets to collegethey'll have a year's tuition paid for, nomatter what the cost is then. Nearly 300private colleges, including 7 Ivy Leagueschools, are participating in the consortium.Note: You don't have to committo a specific college, although you'll beasked to list your top 5 choices.