401kid, the leading education savings plan (ESP) portal, just released an all-new website and freshly updated software, ESP Wizard 2.0, to help America’s families save for college, graduate school, private K-12 school, and special needs education. Based on Web 2.0 principles, such as user-generated content and community-driven social networks, 401kid’s new site and new software offer an innovative approach to making educational dreams a reality.

Rising at a rate that easily outstrips inflation, educational costs have become a significant challenge for students and their families. Both the federal government and selected state governments have developed programs to help parents save money tax-free for college, including 529 Plans, Coverdell ESA, Roth IRA, and UGMA/UTMA. The problem is that few families are familiar with these programs and even fewer understand the combination of plans that will suit their financial situation

That is where 401kid comes in. Eight years of research, innovation, and programming have culminated in the new 401kid.com, which covers everything from specific mutual fund ratings and savings advice to general financial aid information and community support. In short, the new 401kid is here to guide families through the entire educational savings experience.

This experience is all about connecting with others and building a community. At an all-new forum, parents can discuss their concerns and get answers from others. The site’s other interactive features include a blog, polls, and video podcasts from founder and CEO Arman Rousta. The exciting new 529 Plan compass offers data about each state’s 529 Plans and compares them based on 401kid’s proprietary ratings, which take into account ratings from America’s leading Mutual Fund analyzer, Morningstar.

“We are very excited about this new release and believe that the students will be the true beneficiaries,” says Rousta, “401kid is mission-oriented, and through the last eight years, we have been able to build trust with parents across the country, which recognize 401kid for its objectivity and unbiased advice. The new features and community are simply an extension of those core principles.”

On a practical note, 401kid has created new savings calculators to help parents plan for the cost of college. Filling out simple forms allows families discover how much savings they can earn through such government programs as Hope and Lifetime tax credits, and Pell Grants. Other calculators determine the long-term costs of different mutual funds, appropriate monthly deposits to meet specific savings goals, and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for college according to financial aid formulas.

401kid has not stopped there, though. The founders recognized that families need something more that pulls all of this information together and can help decide the best combination of savings plans to meet family needs. Toward that end, 401kid has recently released ESP Wizard 2.0. ESP Wizard, initially released in 2002, was America’s first objective education financing and 529 plan solution, and has since helped thousands of American families plan and invest effectively for college. Version 2.0 has all of the features of the original ESP Wizard plus the ability to monitor different investments regularly through the constantly updated services of Morningstar. At a fraction of the cost, families get the recommendations of a registered investment advisor and access to no-load shares. In an effort to build on 401kid’s mission to create a community, ESP Wizard 2.0 also allows Friends & Family of students to contribute gifts directly into students’ 529 Plans and Coverdells. The gift of education, after all, is the most precious gift anyone can receive.

To learn more about ESP Wizard 2.0 or to become a part of the exciting new 401kid community, visit www.401kid.com

About 401kid, Inc.
401kid, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specializing in assisting families with their education savings and planning needs.  401kid.com is a community, where parents, students and family members come together with financial planners, educators, politicians and employers, to discuss issues and access solutions pertaining to education funding and the future of America’s youth.  The purpose of 401kid is to arouse and develop ideas that make a tangible difference in the lives of families.  For media inquiries, contact Dali Singh of Blueliner NY – 212.904.1240.

New York, NY – Without an advertising budget, these statistics are a credit to the utility of the 401kid website and the power of word of mouth referrals. With the launch of ESP Wizard 2.0 this summer with its associated functionality and content improvements, 401kid is preparing for a surge in traffic.

About 401kid, Inc.
401kid, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specializing in assisting families with their education savings and planning needs.  401kid.com is a community, where parents, students and family members come together with financial planners, educators, politicians and employers, to discuss issues and access solutions pertaining to education funding and the future of America’s youth.  The purpose of 401kid is to arouse and develop ideas that make a tangible difference in the lives of families.  For media inquiries, contact Dali Singh of Blueliner NY – 212.904.1240.

New York, NY – Bob is a seasoned business manager and investment professional. He also brings demonstrated creativity and thought leadership to the area of education funding solutions. Lally Advisors has been a consultant to the 401kid management team since 2004.

Bob was a product manager at Delaware Investments, a large state 529 plan provider. Prior to that, Bob was the Chief Investment Officer at AEGIS, a $2.8 billion insurer. He also had portfolio management responsibilities for MetLife accounts totaling $12 billion. Bob received his undergraduate degree from Cornell and a MBA from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Arman Rousta, 401kid’s founder, remains 401kid’s CEO.

About 401kid, Inc.
401kid, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specializing in assisting families with their education savings and planning needs.  401kid.com is a community, where parents, students and family members come together with financial planners, educators, politicians and employers, to discuss issues and access solutions pertaining to education funding and the future of America’s youth.  The purpose of 401kid is to arouse and develop ideas that make a tangible difference in the lives of families.  For media inquiries, contact Dali Singh of Blueliner NY – 212.904.1240.

New York, NY – Donna will be a commissioned based Business Development executive for 401kid. Donna is also responsible for 401kid’s initiative to the Special Needs Community, whereby families can save for the life-skills training expenses of their ‘un-well’ family members on the same page where families save for their college-bound children. Donna is a graduate of Rutgers University and is a fierce advocate in the Special Needs Community.

About 401kid, Inc.
401kid, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specializing in assisting families with their education savings and planning needs.  401kid.com is a community, where parents, students and family members come together with financial planners, educators, politicians and employers, to discuss issues and access solutions pertaining to education funding and the future of America’s youth.  The purpose of 401kid is to arouse and develop ideas that make a tangible difference in the lives of families.  For media inquiries, contact Dali Singh of Blueliner NY – 212.904.1240.

Washington, DC – Many Financial Advisors affiliated with Ameritrade Advisor Services visited the 401kid booth at the Ameritrade PowerSource 2005 conference. As saving for their children’s education always comes up with clients, there is tremendous need among advisors for objective, and tax advantaged asset allocation advice tools. 401kid was designed to be such a toll for advisors. 401kid is also listed on Ameritrade’s Vendor Discount and Alliance Program.

About 401kid, Inc.
401kid, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specializing in assisting families with their education savings and planning needs.  401kid.com is a community, where parents, students and family members come together with financial planners, educators, politicians and employers, to discuss issues and access solutions pertaining to education funding and the future of America’s youth.  The purpose of 401kid is to arouse and develop ideas that make a tangible difference in the lives of families.  For media inquiries, contact Dali Singh of Blueliner NY – 212.904.1240.