The three of you are so funny. My son had earned income of $3200 in 2006 as a TA. His tax preparation bill is +$2500, his tax liability for federal tax was $2500 now $1500 revised, His Roth contribution was $3200. Do you really think that we/he cares about the taxes he pays verses how fast his investments are growing?
We also do tax planning, and 2006 was a year where he cashed pre-1990 EE Bonds and he gladly paid the taxes on the bonds, because further delays will only mean a paying at a higher rate.
OP, Overfunding education may be unavoidable (we had some big stock hits) but can be controlled. Paying taxes is also unvoidable but can be likewise controlled.