Should I save for my kid's college while I'm still paying off my own student loans?

Generally, tackle your own financial footing first. If your student loans carry high interest (say, 7%+), paying them down is a guaranteed return that often beats what college savings might earn. The order most planners suggest: secure an emergency fund, capture any 401(k) match, pay down high-interest debt, then fund a 529. Your child has options you don't — scholarships, aid, work-study, and loans — but no one will lend you money for retirement, and you can't refinance your kid's tuition out of your own debt. That said, even small 529 contributions ($25–$50/month) started early benefit enormously from compounding, so you don't have to choose all-or-nothing. Map your full debt-and-savings picture with wealthserene.com/tools/debt-payoff before deciding where each dollar goes.