@Hoggirl So, what are your thoughts on gift taxes? Perhaps I’m missing something?
@SouthFloridaMom9 - I think we need to have a discussion of what ds would like to do. Apparently, the idea of MOGs to “wear beige and keep your mouth shut,” has changed over time.
@doschicos -I doubt you are missing anything 
! I’m just saying that I would keep any gifts from dh and me under $28,000 per year regardless. For a variety of reasons. My dh would never go for that large of a gift (one time or otherwise) regardless.
Ds is spending all of his educational resources on his undergraduate education. That was his choice. Dh was not in favor of contributing to grad school because ds chose to spend his entire “pile” on undergrad. Ds’s ability to fund grad school on his own school is somewhat dependent on him. I am willing to contribute to grad school; dh is not. We’ll see how it all plays out.
My launch gift to my kiddo is free room and board while she pays off her debt and saves for her first place. I told her she can live in the basement apartment as long as she wants to. She can even remodel it however she wants, have a roommate, whatever. There are some easily commutable potential employers near us.
She’s grateful for the opportunity to get her debt paid off. Living with your folks for a while isn’t glamorous, but we don’t infringe on her adult freedoms and she returns the favor by being very considerate and reliable.
My S graduates in May. He’s debt free, owns a car and he’s had a 529 for years. We’re planning on around 10k with the notion it will help get him settled.
@ChoatieMom - I had lunch with a friend whose daughter is at West Point. I asked her about the $30,000 you mentioned, and she said it was not given to cadets, but available to them up to that amount as a low-interest loan.
That is correct. They are eligible for up to $35,000 as, basically, a no interest loan that is deducted from their pay over five years. Many cadets just invest it.
My point is that the government takes care of “launch money” for cadets.
@ChoatieMom - just thought it should be clarified. Thanks for posting a link.
I do see a difference between a gift launch and a loan launch. But, we wouldn’t “gift” ds $35,000. 