Saving for college without breaking the bank

My partner and I are trying to figure out the best way to save for our toddler's future college expenses without stretching our budget too thin. We’re not exactly rolling in cash, but we want to give her a solid start. We’ve looked into 529 plans and some custodial accounts, but the fees and investment options can be confusing. Plus, I keep wondering if we should focus more on paying off our debt first or start saving aggressively now.

We’ve tried setting up a small monthly automatic transfer to a savings account, but it barely moves the needle. Sometimes it feels overwhelming balancing everyday expenses with long-term goals.

Has anyone found a good balance or strategy that worked for them? How did you decide where to put your money, and did you start early or wait until your finances were more stable? Any tips on frugal ways to boost those savings would be amazing.