Upromise - Kew Gardens,NY

My best friend signed up when her first daughter was born and it was slightly offputting because she had to give Upromise all of her family and friends info so that we could all contribute through our purchases. A lot of friends were offended (because they wanted to save for their own kids, not hers), and most of her extended family didn't even bother to sign up. I *still* get emails from Upromise, even though I've tried to unsubscribe. Anyway, my friend stopped using it after a year or two because the money just wasn't adding up. She was using them as a way to initiate online purchases, but that meant she couldn't get some of the coupons from the online retailers like if she'd have gone direct.

I don't think it's a scam, but I also don't think it has much value for the work you will put in.

We don't use it.
It's not a scam, per se.
I think a better idea is to fund your 529 plan regularly.
U-Promise adds up slowly unless you can commit to buying TONS thru
U-promise. I just wouldn't commit to doing that for 18 years.
I'm betting being smart at saving & investing is the way to go.
U-promise IS a 529 plan also.

I signed up years ago, but then immediately decided I didn't like the way that it worked, so I've never used it at all. We don't have any money in it, but I still get emails from them.

I signed up years ago and decided I didn't like the way it worked. We just do monthly contributions to our 529.