Want to make college savings easy? Piece of cake. Use a state 529 savings plan. No need to select stocks, bonds or funds on your own and then deftly manage the money until your child enters school. Just pick a single age-based fund in a 529, and your work is pretty much done. This fund of funds will shift gradually from stocks to bonds as your kid nears school. Relax about taxes too. In a 529, earnings are tax-free as long as the money is used for college costs such as tuition or room and board. You don't need to remember to save either. Most 529s let you set up an automatic investment plan. The only decision is which 529 to choose.

The Easy Way: Pick the Utah plan If you don't have the time or inclination to sort through 529s, go straight to the Utah Educational Savings Plan (800-418-2551; uesp.org). With its selection of Vanguard index funds, it gives you age-based choices at rock-bottom prices. You'll have to select one of five different stock and bond allocations. If in doubt, stick with option two. One drawback: You may be giving up valuable state tax breaks.

Fairly Easy Way: Research your state plan In 28 states, you're entitled to a tax deduction or credit for money you put into your local 529. For your state's tax breaks and plan options, visit Savingforcollege.com. Stay with your state plan if you earn a generous tax break, you don't have to pay a sales charge to invest, and the plan's annual expenses are no more than 1% a year. If not, Utah's 529 remains your best bet.

By Kate Ashford, Carolyn Bigda, George Mannes, Walter Updegrave and Penelope Wang