If you live in a middle class first world country, chances are you can probably afford $100 a month if you just cut back on some splurges here and there. Back when my first born came, we weren't poor, but we weren't living amazing by any means. But my wife decided she didn't want to keep getting sugary starbucks drinks. 20 days a month, $5 a pop. $100 saved. We took the $100 and just set auto transfer on an automated Wealthfront account we opened for my child. I just checked it. $34K balance. I literally haven't checked the account in years. $14k into $34K all from money we didn't even miss. Obv invested in BTC it would've done better over the same 12 years, but I was already nervous throwing my own money into BTC back then so wanted something more "stable" for this account. That should be $65-70K by time they turn 18. From $21,600 of what would've been "wasted" lattes. It's never too late to start. You can start now with many accounts with like $5-10/mo. Do something for your kids. Give them a better life. I get a lot of questions from people on best accounts to open for their kids, friend's kids, etc. I will answer all of those all day long, just ask. 529s, roth iras, UTMA accounts, trump accounts, trusts, life insurance, whatever may be best fit for your situation. Obviously those apply to Americans, but happy to run through options if it helps. I know most of us here are gamblers by nature. So just take $5-10 of those gambles you're making, and make a much safer bet for your kid's future. Hell even if you don't have kids yet. I started my kid's first 529 account in my name when I was 18. You can just do things.