Bob Mc: My post of #40940, will not bring alligator tears to anyone. What our son lost in investments is the risk that we took as investors. What our son paid in taxes for the investment gains is a wonderful thing also. If the market stayed down after 2002 then we would have sacrifice a good deal more, but no more than any other middle income family.
There is enough information on the internet about college cost projects and what you and children will pay or not pay in the future. Before you get too involved in the +/- of UTMA, 529, Prepaids, etc, think about running a FAFSA based on today's numbers. For us, whether we had 529s, UGTA, EE, Education IRA, made no difference in the outcome of FAFSA or subsequent college awards. Of course your particular situation will be different, How different is the question you need to determine.