Every parent wants to give their child the best possible start, but between school fees, uniforms, laptops, camps, sport, music, tutoring and uni, the cost of "giving them options" can add up fast and cause financial stress.

In this episode of Wealth Builder, Nick is joined by Marie Lazar from Futurity Investment Group to unpack how families can plan for education costs before they become a major cash flow stress. Because choosing the school is only part of the decision, the bigger question is how you are going to fund it in a way that still works for the rest of your financial life.

They talk through the real cost of education in Australia, why the extras are often what catch families off guard, and how different funding options compare, from savings accounts and offset accounts to share portfolios, family gifts and education bonds. You'll also hear how education bonds work, who they may suit, and why they can be worth considering as part of a broader wealth-building plan.

In this episode:

• How much education could really cost from primary school through to year 12

• The hidden extras many families forget to plan for

• Why planning early can give parents and grandparents more options later

• How education bonds work and what makes them different

• The key trade-offs between savings, offsets, investments and education bonds

• What to think about before choosing the right strategy for your family

This episode is for parents and grandparents who want to help fund a child's future without the last-minute scramble to make it work financially

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