When the kids go to college in a few years, that's a different story.
You're damn straight it'll be different because that's when you'll be broke, like you probably never were before.
My advice after putting 3 through college? Sports.
Hound the little bastards until they find a sport that they can get a scholarship in. There's lot's of 'em (varsity sports). Your best bet is to stay away from the big 2 (American football and Basketball). Your kid doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell.
Here's my college "accounts" sheet:
1st kid (female) great student, wanted to be a teacher. I took a hard line and MADE HER PICK A STATE COLLEGE. cost out of pocket: ~$40k total. A bargain.
2nd kid (female) even better student. Wanted to be a medical laboratory scientist. Played tennis, but I started her in high school, too late (sophomore year). She played D3 tennis at a private (very nice) school with a good med tech program. cost out of pocket ~$ I lost track. More than $100k of money I don't have. She worked for 2 years and is now going to a 2 year graduate program to become a Physician's assistant (on her own loans).
3rd kid (male). Good kid (great kid) but has a really rough time with math and sciences. Spent all his time playing sports, not studying. Played lots of soccer, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, etc... Found track and field in middle school. Excelled in High school track and now has a full ride scholarship to State University of New York covering both his 4 year undergrad and, because he has national level potential, they are extending his scholarship through 1 year of graduate school. 5 years of University, should get a masters. Cost out of pocket ~ $5k (first semester was not full boat).
Know what? All 3 kids were (are) on deans list in the colleges. But my kids are not brainiacs (any more than I am...
). College isn't that hard if they aren't hung over every day. Sports keeps 'em busy and gives them immediate short term goals when they can't visualize how all the reading, writing and 'rithmatic is going to get them anywhere.