If you’ve got a child headed to college this fall, chances are they received their acceptance letters in March or April and are making plans as we speak. That means it’s go-time for you, too. If you don’t have a clear plan of action for funding your child’s education—or you do, but need some additional advice—we’ve got you covered.

Got a kid heading off to college this fall? With that first tuition payment staring you down, it’s time to make sure the finances are in place.

Let’s face facts. The costs of higher education represent a huge financial burden for many US families, even affluent ones in high-income brackets who have significant savings. And that’s true whether you consider public or private colleges and universities. The average tuition and fees at an in-state public college for the academic year 2018-2019 was $9,716, public out-of-state averaged $21,629, and the average sticker price for private institutions was $35,676*. Now, multiply that by 4 years!  

The world looks different when you’re holding a new little life in your arms. Finances may take a back seat to excitement, but it’s important to begin thinking early about how starting a family will affect your goals and budget. The vision you and your spouse create for your family’s future will dictate many of your next financial steps.

Studies show that finances are one of the in a relationship. With the quintessential relationship-centric holiday—Valentine’s Day—on the horizon, Quicken, maker of the best-selling personal finance software in the US, surveyed over 1,000 adults to gather insights into the ever-elusive personal finance conversation.