When you do some research to check out the validity and value of Upromise, the idea that comes to me is similar to dieting: most work if you're willing to discipline yourself and follow the directions.

That's the same with Upromise to me. If you read about it, people are split about 50/50 as to its value and worth. But when you read closely, most of those not too thrilled with it are those that follow through and say they really don't pay that much attention to it, or don't make any special effort to take advantage of its offers.

At that time those that aren't impressed will tell how much they made from it over several years, and it's very little. That's like someone that uses a diet plan and doesn't follow it, and then concludes it's not a good one.

Like anything else, Upromise will work for those who work it and take the extra time to use it to its full advantage.

I used to be a financial advisor, and those that were most successful with their financial management were those that took just a little more time each week with their money. Not a lot, but maybe a half hour or so to keep on top of things.

Anyway, Upromise is made up the same way, and those that take a little extra time to learn and consistently use it, can put aside a nice chunk of money to use for college expenses.

Before I describe Upromise a little, keep in mind that it works great with a couponing strategy which extends its value and even helps save and make more money for you. So with that in mind, let's look at the overall program and what it is.

Upromise is a rewards network you can join for free, which pays you back 1 percent to 25 percent of money you spend at participating Upromise partners, which number of 600 at this time, and many are major brands.

Major participants include Target, Proctor & Gamble, Colgate, Nestle, Palmolive, Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond and J.C. Penney, among many others.

Some of the categories you can save on are gasoline, groceries, restaurants and online shopping. 

Once you enter the program and start getting savings, you have three options to what you can do through the money you save.

The first is to deposit it in a tax-free 529 savings account, which can be opened with as little as $50. Upromise has set up their own investment arm named Upromise Investments, Inc to use if you choose.

The second option is to pay down existing Sallie Mae student loans. All you have to do is use the Upromise Loan Link and transer money from you Upromise account direct to the Sallie Mae student loans.

Finally, if neither of those are part of your strategy or needs, you can collect a check for college expenses. All the money saved goes direct into a Upromise account, where you then decide where to transer it under the parameters mentioned above.

By far the most effective if it's the place you're in is the 529 savings plan. 

An easy feature of the program is to link your credit or debit card to the Upromise account, and every time you use it with a participating merchant, it's automatically taken care of.

Family and friend can also participate if they want to help anyone out, and can work together to build up the college savings account even more, or pay down Sallie Mae college debt even faster. 

A nice feature the Upromise website has is an option to use eCoupons from its site. All you have to do is check the desired coupons and print them out.

Everything is done for you, as it'll automatically activate when scanned a Upromise participating stores. Again, the key here is to make sure the card you're using is linked to your Upromise account, including the store card if you use one. 

The conclusion for Upromise is it'll work like it promises if you use it and spend a little time with it on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, using it to its full advantage.

Information, like anything else must be acted on within a plan. Those that don't take the little extra time, won't get the full, or even near full benefits of participating in Upromise. Those that do, can get significant savings to pay for college or pay down their existing Sallie Mae college debt.

Either way, you're really helping yourself or others by taking a little extra time to use Upromise to its fullest potential.

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