Do you have a child? If so, have you started saving money for them to attend college? With all the other financial obligations you sure don't need another one, right? Many people think about saving money for their child's higher education, but often do not know how to save money for their child's education without putting other financial

obligations on the back burner. However, whether you choose now or later to confront this obligation, paying your child's college tuition will still be an obligation.

Bottom line, it will be a financial obligation for you, your child or for both of you. Therefore, saving for your child's education now is a wise plan and investment. If you start saving early, hopefully you can reduce the amount you will need to borrow later. Keep reading and you will get some realistic ways to save for your child's college tuition.

How to save for college:
1. Scholarships
Look into scholarships for your child to help pay their college tuition. College scholarships are a great option for students looking to save money on tuition. There are thousands of college scholarships available for students. Research online or at the library. Saving money for your child's education is completely doable if you apply for college scholarships. In fact, some students find that most or all of their college tuition costs are covered by scholarships awarded to them.

For example, if you live in Georgia they have the HOPE Scholarship. Your child must maintain a B average in high school to qualify for the HOPE scholarship. The HOPE Scholarship will pay for tuition, books, and fees.

2. Money Market Account
Start a money market account for your child's college fund. Have a certain amount automatically deposited each pay period. With a money market account, you can start saving for your child's college education and have the tuition covered by the time they're ready for college.

3. Start a College Tuition Fund
Stop going out to lunch every day. The money you used for lunch, redirect it into your child's college tuition fund.

Pay off your car and eliminate your consumer debt. Then pretend you still have your consumer debt, but have the consumer debt payments automatically put into your child's college tuition fund.

Have spring and summer garage or yard sales. Saving the money earned on yard sales or garage sales is a great way to save for your child's college education. All the proceeds will go towards college. Be sure to have a lemonade stand, have your future college student man the stand, and make sure the sign indicates all proceeds earned at the garage sale or yard sale will help pay future higher education expenses.

Start a 529 investment plan for your child's college. 529 accounts are designed to pay for higher education expenses. The plus...distributions used for qualified education expenses are federal income tax free.

Put loose change in a college fund jar. Each quarter add up the contents and deposit it into the college fund.

At holiday events and birthdays, ask friends and family to contribute towards the college fund instead of purchasing gifts.

College seems a long way away. However, it will come sooner then you think. Do not procrastinate on saving money for your child's college. Don't rely entirely on scholarships either. While they are an excellent outlet for the prospective student, saving money for your child's education is important. Now you have real solutions for how to save for college. Just do it!

Sharman Lawson is a financial coach, speaker, and author of the book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever! Visit her website at www.sharmanlawson.com.