Dave Goetsch – The name may not be instantly familiar, but you’ve probably heard of the CBS sitcom he produces: “The Big Bang Theory.” Like his show, Goetsch’s personal investing has had its share of twists and turns. Reflecting on how he felt back in 2009, he says, “When the market went down, I went down with it—sinking into a depression, knowing there was nothing I could do.”

Fortunately, between then and now, he discovered an evidence-based investment approach. Armed with the durable philosophy he lacked at the time, Goetsch has leveraged his past trauma as a learning experience, and now feels better prepared for future downturns.

These days, Goetsch is proud to help spread the evidence-based investing word along with us. “I changed because I learned that there was a different way to think about investing. … The return I’m talking about is how I feel every day. I worry less—not just about the future, but also about the present. Of course, I know that there are no guarantees when it comes to investing, but I feel like I’m going to be okay. I have a plan.”

To read Dave’s observations in his own words, click here: “Now and Then.”

Among the many reforms found in the new tax law, one last-minute change allows families to begin using their 529 Plan savings to pay for their children’s K-12 tuition (up to $10,000 per beneficiary, per year). Until now, 529 Plans could only be used to pay for qualified higher education costs.

Since private schooling is expensive, you may be tempted to tap into this new, tax-sheltered funding source as soon as you’re able.

But should you?

The answer is: It depends.

What’s the highest, best use of your 529 plan assets?

The main reason you squirrel away money in a 529 plan is to protect your investments against taxes, and the debilitating effect they have on your end returns. With their tax-preferential treatment, your 529 plan savings are expected to grow bigger and faster than if you held that same money in a taxable account.

Thus it stands to reason, the longer you keep your money invested in a 529 account, the better you’re leveraging its tax-sheltering benefits.

In this context, among the best applications for a 529 plan remains the same as before: to start setting aside money when your kids are in diapers, in anticipation of that bittersweet day they head off to college.

That said, life doesn’t always go as expected. The new K-12 spending allowance may be ideal if you end up with “extra” funds in a 529 plan. For example, what if your firstborn decides to attend an in-state university instead of Harvard? Or what if she earns a full scholarship to her first-choice institution! It may make sense to use up the leftover 529 money on her younger brother’s high school tuition, especially if he already has a fully funded 529 plan of his own.

Where do you live?

There’s an added wrinkle to consider before taking money from a 529 plan for K-12 tuition. As this Forbes article describes, qualified 529 plan withdrawals for K-12 tuition may now be tax- and penalty-free on your Federal tax return (thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). But your state tax laws may differ.

Which brings me back to my initial answer. Should you spend your 529 plan assets on K-12 costs? It depends.

You know all those tax season emails you get from Charles Schwab, informing you that your Form 1099s are ready to download and share with your tax professionals?

Hill Investment Group clients can largely disregard those notices, because we take care of this busy-work for them. We aggregate the 1099s for the accounts we manage for them, and send the documents to those who need them, safely, securely and without our clients having to lift a finger. (Unless you count that single click to delete the email notifications.)

This is just one way we strive to simplify our clients’ busy lives, so they can focus on the things that are important to them.