529 Plan Dichotomy

What's a 529 Plan? It's supposed to be a sheltered, equities-based investment and SAVINGS vehicle for parents to save for their kids' college educations. And that's pretty much what it is until the market sits on the precipice of disasater and you'd like to make sure that your kids' future educational dollars don't disappear. Guess what? Designed so the account holders can't wheel and deal - or trade continuously - in their accounts, 529s unfortunately also don't have any GUARANTEED savings options. You'd think that the government would allow some CDs to be mixed in to ensure that the balance can't erode, but NOOOO! EVERYTHING is at risk. And since you can only trade ONCE per year in a 529, once you make your bed, you're stuck in it, at least for that year.