Bloomberg Surveillance · Friday, July 24, 2026
Tricia Scarlatta of JP Morgan Asset Management emphasizes the importance of starting college savings early through 529 plans, despite life's expenses. She advises parents to be realistic about costs, consider state schools, and understand the return on investment for degrees, noting that 529 plans offer flexibility and can cover various educational expenses, including apprenticeships.
“The right way is starting as early as possible, right, And so that's the problem is is that most people just avoid it. They and look, Also, problem is life is expensive, and it's hard to balance all these things, retirement, saving for emergency, saving for college. But if you start early right and save often, you can do it. But the issue is people don't start early enough. They don't they don't actually save and invest early enough.”
“So I do think that they can help you get there for sure. I think the responsibility of parents, though, is also being realistic. Know what you can afford. Not everybody body has to go to Welles. Not everybody has to go to the fancy school exactly. There's plenty of options.”
“Kids also go half the time. They'll do start the first two years in a community school and then do another That's I know what it's a changing It's half the cost, it's half the cost. If you do that, no one cares where you went. They just want to know where you got your degree from.”