Just a 48-year-old mom of 2 in Northern California. My kids are Monkey Monkey(MM) and Drama Llama (DL). I am married to Monkey Hubby (MH). MM(22) Aug 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $16,075 (+$5K ROTH)
MM(22) Sep 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $14,897 (+$5K ROTH)
Rent is paid through 10/31.
Paying *all* of MM's college expenses out of this account. Still no idea if it will be enough to stretch through the end of the school year.
MM(22) told me he is due some money for utilities. To be reimbursed from past year roommates. But they are shuffling the deposits around and he will have to pay some for the bigger deposit (less people) for this year. Whenever he gets that refund, I will let him apply that money to rent.
I just did some quick math and it looks like we may have enough money in this account to pay rent and tuition through 6/30. It's almost absurd how down to the penny it's going to be. Like I said before, not planned whatsoever. The reason I think we can breakeven is if I count his rental deposit being returned. Unknowns: Utilities, tax breaks, course fees, etc.
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DL(20) Aug 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $21,488 (+$5K ROTH )
DL(20) Sep 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $23,682 (+$5K ROTH)
DL got his middle class grant refund from the state already. So I deposited that back into his college fund. It was 2 months earlier than we have received in the past. So I was not expecting that.
DL's net college costs Year 3: $2,700
Now that I have some real numbers...
Rough future math:
$23,000 Start of Year 4
-$3,000 Year 4
-$7,000 Year 5 (Teaching Credential) ~no financial aid expected
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$13,000 Left after Undergrad/Credential
Of course, DL might also have some summer school classes and test fees.
It sounds like the Teaching Masters program is ~$15,000. Which is an absolute no brainer from a cost/benefit standpoint. The Masters will pay off very quickly re: higher pay.
& he will probably get a couple of more $1,000 checks from MIL. This could end up being a 'down to the penny' situation. Stretching further with the Masters Degree, because he is just living at home.
I hadn't run through the math before. But it sounds like he will have just enough money for all of the above. If not, DL(20) has a lot of time to save up to cover some of the Masters classes. (He's saving ~$900/month, at the moment.)
He did ask me if he should put that $1,000 gift into his college fund this summer, when I offered it to pay for his college commute expenses. I told him it really made no difference. It will just be fattening up his cash and investment accounts. It's not like he plans to spend it.
Edited to add: I am sure I already mentioned, that I have frequently seen enticing financial incentives for teaching degrees (over the past 20+ years). Of course we will keep an eye out. Today I saw that the school district we live in will pay 80% of a credential, will provide $12,000 housing allowance (over 12 months) and a $5,000 bonus for math teachers. The catch is he'd have to teach in this school district for 3 years. Our school board friend shared this on social media. When I was digging for more details, I saw they offered the same deal last year. DL(20) is excited about that. I told him to look up what other school districts (like the one he is working for) offer.
If DL(20) can land a deal like this, he'd have $20K left after his Undergrad/Credential.
October 6th, 2025 at 04:14 am 1759720478
I'm not sure what you do. I mean in the sense if you don't plan for the worse.
October 7th, 2025 at 02:44 am 1759801460
Sunshine year round and beaches and mountains of course make the state desirable adding to housing demand.
But people who think it’s ’too expensive’ for anyone to live there aren’t looking at the full picture - or why so many do live there.