Saving for your kids’ college education isn’t easy, but you can probably save a lot more than you think. Here are seven important things to know to start squirreling away and investing money in a smart way, including how to save in a 529 investment plan.

1. Save as much as you can for college; it won’t hurt you as much as you might think when it comes to getting financial aid.

2. Prioritize saving for your own retirement ahead of saving for your kids’ college — but still, save for both.

3. Start saving something — even if you can’t save the full amount.

How To Save For Your Kid’s College Education

Illustration: James Yang for NPR