I can't see the logic of a 529 plan for someone like me with a moderate income and only one child. I put my savings into a Roth IRA. I can use the money for DD's college expenses, but any unused portion stays there for my retirement.
Yes, one should usually put the maximum (or as much as you can) in tax-sheltered retirement accounts, i.e. 401k, 403b, 457, IRA, before putting anything into a 529 plan, or regular taxable account, since retirement account assets aren't included for the means tests. (These comments apply to USA.)
However be aware that Roth withdrawals will count as parental income for FAFSA, even though it is not taxable income.
