How do I balance helping my kids with college against my own retirement?

Put your retirement first – not out of selfishness, but because the math demands it. Your child can borrow for college, qualify for grants, attend a cheaper school, or work; you cannot borrow to retire, and there are no scholarships for being 70. Financial planners commonly suggest funding retirement to at least the employer match and ideally your target rate before diverting large sums to a 529, then helping with college from what's genuinely left over. A family that drains savings or stops 401(k) contributions to cover full freight often ends up financially dependent on those same kids later, which helps no one. Decide a specific dollar amount you can contribute and let your student plan around it honestly. Helping is generous; jeopardizing your own security isn't. See where the two goals intersect at wealthserene.com/tools/retirement-planner.