Thrifty Thinking: Gradify

Did you know that for a child born this year, college tuition could be over $100,000? Saving early is one way to make sure that there are funds to pay for education and reduce student loan burdens (current average is $25,000 for a four-year degree). Gradify is a new online tool that allows you to create a fund for your child or loved one and invite friends and family to contribute towards savings for their education. Gradify can quickly and easily help you set up an online profile to share their story and educational goals and invite guests to contribute towards their education during life celebrations, including baby showers, birthdays, religious events, holidays and/or graduations.  Each event also allows guests to write personalized messages for the child that will be available to look back on for years to come.

Founders Jamie & Jaime Wheeler believe life is about three simple, yet powerful, words: Patience, Persistence and Dreams. Helping kids grow up to be what they want in life has been a vast part of their dream, and they feel that education (while minimizing debt) is a great way to provide that for kids. 

Unlike many other sites, there is no way for strangers to view personal information like the child's name, location, or how much money has been raised to date. Gradify is also the only college savings tool that allows kids to create a Wishlist so they receive the gifts they crave now. When guests go to a created Gradify page, they see the child’s Wishlist and can decide what percentage of their gift will go toward college savings versus the gifts on the Wishlist. There is no cost for an account, and credit cards and PayPal are accepted for adding to an account.