I sympathize with this. There were points when an extra $1,000 would have made all the difference in the world. And there was one point, following a major health problem, when a few thousand from a grandmother prevented me from having to switch away from long term priorities.

But would I have acted differently if I knew there was a trust fund? I think I might have. Not having one created a sense of urgency.

Would a good policy be promising nothing, then giving it when you see it will be put to good use? I don't know – any parents figure this one out.