oh and check out www.upromise.org
I think it's a min. $500 to start a 529 plan, and then you just let your usual spending do the work. (529 plan is not necessary to open a upromise acct - that part is free)

I started one for my second cousin, but I'm waiting for her mother to start up the 529 plan, so I can throw the $$ toward it and let that money grow.

Kim 1995 Contour GL Needs less "needs more"