USA Today – John Waggoner
“In the old days, parents celebrated the arrival of a new child by roasting a mastodon. Today, they start a college savings account. And no wonder: A year of tuition and fees at the average four-year private college cost $28,500 in the 2011-2012 school year, says the College Board. “Back when I went to college, people could pay their own way, but now it’s insanely expensive,” says Joy Thompson, 42, of Medway, Mass. So how do you get your child through college? USA TODAY asked readers such as Thompson for tips — and got some great ones.”(more)