<prompt> Human: Background and info: Im 35, Ive worked since 15 years old...but Ive been self employed for the last 6 years. I have no retirement planaccountsavings. My husband 37 works for the government and has his own retirement set up through them PERS. Hell likely stay with government through his career. I will stay self employed at least until we can afford daycare for my twins WHEN my now 4yo starts school in 2 years. At that point, I may get a part time or full time job just depending on the daycare cost etc. But it possible that Ill stay self employed. We have 4 kids 13yo, 4yo, 9 month old twins. I save 20mo per kid for college aka just for their future use whether they go to college or pursue some other trainingeducation. I currently only have 500 for both my 14yo and my 4yo and 300 each for my twins. We just didnt have the income to be saving sooner...and I know that 20ea per month is really nothing. We know that we will most likely have to take out loans to help the 14yo since we dont have much time there and Ill be self employed for at least the next 2 years. My problem:I need to start saving for my retirement and we have to get serious about college savings for all 4 kids. Dont know where to start with either.My questions:Should I be more concerned with saving for retirement than the college savings? What should I do to plan for my own retirement while being self employed? I have very little understanding of IRA vs Roth IRAs and 401ks etc even though Ive heard these terms and used to have a 401k that I cashed out because it was such a small amount after leaving my last actual job 6 years ago. And what is the best way to handle college savings? Ive only just recently heard of the 529 plans via this subreddit, so I will for sure look into those. Just want to see what all the viable options are!Assistant: Im a college student. I come from a poor family that only have debt and no real retirement plans. Worry about your own retirement before college funds. There are a lot more options for kids to get into school than for you to use for retirement. I love my parents, but knowing that I will ultimately be responsible for their comfort later in life is a constant burden because I want them to be comfortable. Human: I, too, will be responsible for a parents living expenses when she needs assistance later in life. I definitely dont want to do that to my children.  <response>: I worry way more about how my mom will never be able to retire, Ive got decades to get my stuff figured out. 