The path to college is different for every family, and some never take that route at all. But recognizing that it’s a common goal of most parents with children these days — even those without excess money laying around to pay for it — it’s worth talking about ways to plan ahead.

In Washington, there’s the GET Tuition program. Find out more at http://www.get.wa.gov/. It allows you to buy tuition credits at a price today that will certainly seem like a big savings 10 or 15 years down the road.

There are CDs and savings accounts and various places to stash money that will earn interest. And of course, there’s the old-fashioned “college savings jar.” I received a jar as a baby shower gift before my oldest was born, complete with a handmade (OK, computer-generated) covering that reads “College Savings Jar.”

I thought it was a great idea. The jar isn't going to cover the thousands of tuition dollars we'll need in the long run. But I'm hoping it will pay off in other ways. We keep it in my son’s room and pitch pennies, dimes, etc... into it on a regular basis. If he gets a cash gift from relatives, a small part goes toward a toy or item of his choice. The rest goes in the jar. Then we empty it periodically to make a deposit in a CD or savings account. I want my kids to physically put money in a place specially dedicated to their future. I want them to be active participants in planning for their life after childhood. I want them to have a vested interest in their education.

But there are probably a lot of tips Skagit residents have picked up over the years that could help parents find organized ways to save or help their children save for college tuition.

Any ideas to share?