Before couples have kids, they have a completely different perspective on what their investment fund portfolio should look like. However, once the kids comes, several huge adjustments come into play which change the way they see their investments. First of all, before kids, it is common for both partners in the marriage to work. This makes it much easier to save. After kids, a parent usually stays home or bills accumulate for child care. During this time of tough financial adjustment, the treat of college expenses looms overhead.
Many families cannot afford to save in both college funds and retirement funds. If it comes to a choice between the two, it is often better to choose the college fund. College is a more immediate cost and it pays off it families focus on one goal instead of unsuccessfully trying to save in investment funds for both college and retirement. If the second parent returns to work when the kids enter school, then it becomes feasible again to save in both investment funds. During this time, they can choose to amplify their savings to compensate for lost time.
When planning for college funds for a family with one income, it is best to make your plans on the current income. While it may be likely that a second income will come later, there is no way to guarantee this or that the income will meet your expectations. With one income and saving first in a college fund then retirement fund, your calculations will likely put your retirement age up a few years. Later, if the second income comes (or a raise), then you can recalculate and boost your savings to the college investment fund and retirement.