I really liked your saving priority list. I found it very helpful and have a
saved it to my desktop as a reminder. In addition, I have had two questions
I’ve been meaning to ask you.

QUESTION 1
I recently heard about credit cards offering a percentage back towards funding
529 plans. Fidelity offers one that give 1.5% back. I am interested in this
type of card but wanted to know (1) can I fund a 529 account for children that
are not yet born? Perhaps I put the fund in my name till I have children? (2)
Is there a card that you recommend? (3) Can I still claim a tax credit for
contributions made to the 529 via the credit card?

QUESTION 2
Have you used mint.com? What are your thoughts about the utility of this
website?

-m

I’ll answer the 2nd question first because it’s more straightforward.  Yes.   I do use Mint, but not that much.  I’m still more of a fan of Yodlee as it has better overall coverage.   What Mint offers is a simpler view, and pitches of money saving alternatives.   For some individuals the offers are useful, but not me.  Generally speaking, I’ve already done my shopping when it comes to accounts.  The simplified view is nice, and I would be more apt to use if I were just starting with account aggregation.

In truth however, I’m looking at PageOnce.   PageOnce offers a very similar service to Mint, but like Yodlee is much  comprehensive.  In addition, PageOnce also offers an iPhone App.

529 Accounts

Yes, you can still can claim the tax (state) credit even if it’s funded from you Credit Card. I don’t believe the source of funding matters.  For the tax deduction it has to be a state sponsored plan for your state of Virginia.  I don’t believe Fidelity runs any of those plans, so it’s unclear in reality how you would be able to fund the 529 plan with a credit card.

While you cannot sponsor a 529 plan in the name of child that yet to be born, you can sponsor a plan under the name of another relative, and switch the plan’s beneficiary at another date.  The age of whom can be named beneficiary vary’s state by state.