HOUSTON—For many Houston-area families, saving up for college has become more difficult in the current economic climate.

With the troubles on Wall Street, some parents say their college savings have shrunk up to 30 percent.

Others say they’ve had to change the way they plan on paying for their kids’ educations altogether.

Take the Surkein family, for example. They’ve got two kids already in college and a third graduating from high school this year.

“We did tell them there was a certain limit we could spend, and going out of state is really not an option,” Mary Surkein said.

“Any time there’s a disruption in the market, people get worried,” college financial planner Keith Wagner said.

The Surkeins only have about 10 percent of their college savings tied to the stock market.

To supplement, all of their kids take courses at community colleges.

“It cuts the price down for us,” Surkein said.

And that brings the price of a higher education within reach.

Experts say if your child is in high school, now is the time to save as much as you can.

“You just need to get your money into some sort of cash or cash-equivalent – whatever money is left,” Wagner said.