@Luca before we did anything with the kids we talked to them first and got an agreement - any money they get from us is permanent savings. Not for spending - vehicles, vacations, wedding etc. The one exception might be a house.
Yes, there is a risk that something could go wrong. But i am not worried (i think i know my kids and their attitude about financial literacy and money habits). As a family, we have been talking about financial topics their whole life (I ran a financial literacy club at their high school).
Since we joined the real world (opened their TFSA’s about 18 months ago) the benefits far exceed anything i imagined. The kids are learning in small, slow increments. They are now able to help each other (setting up accounts, how the accounts work etc). Most importantly, they are starting to understand the power of compounding. And i am able to mentor them.
Seeing how well everything has been going, we made all three of our kids an offer. After they graduate from university and get their first job we will match (100%) whatever they are able to save in their first year of working. No limit. The goal here is to help in-still the habits of thrift, live below your means and pay yourself first.
My oldest graduated from university in 2023. She landed her first ‘big girl’ job. The day after she signed her offer letter she came to me with her savings plan and financial goals for the next year (on her own… not me badgering her). Her plan is to save about $25,000 in her first year. If she can do this, she will have $50,000 (in addition to TFSA and FHSA). To do this she is living at home (i called her a room mate and my wife almost killed me). We rent a big house (4 bedroom, 2,300sq ft with two living levels) so it is not a problem for my wife and me.
There is also an estate planning / wealth transfer aspect to all of this. My wife and i have more than we will ever need. Shifting a small amount of our estate into tax free accounts (or index funds that they never sell in taxable accounts) to our kids - when they are very young - in a thoughtful, methodical, educational, habit building way is looking like a really good idea right now.
I think each of my 3 kids could have $200,000 each, largely socked away in tax free accounts, by the time they are 25 years old. That is crazy. At the same time, they will understand most of the important building blocks of personal finance. And they will hopefully be developing good financial habits.
The early results have been very positive. But it is a work in progress.