How do people afford tuition that will only continue to go up?

[Anonymous]

Income is fine at $400k combined salary but we have 3 kids. 2 have special needs and will require small class sizes. All kids did public but now with middle and high school approaching, we think it’s time to move 1-2 kids over to private. Income is enough to not qualify for aid yet 2 tuitions of 40k or so, feels constraining. We don’t typically take lavish trips but wondering how others see this, finance it?

[Anonymous]

They don't enroll.

[Anonymous]

Not sure 400k is enough to do independent school but maybe look at Catholic schools.

Perhaps you could do Gonzaga and stoneridge as tuitions are less than independents?

[Anonymous]

Stone Ridge tuition is sky high.

[Anonymous]

When 400k is not enough for private school…this world is something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When 400k is not enough for private school…this world is something else.

Not for 3 kids at 50k each.

[Anonymous]

At $400K, you still have 250K, which is more than many make. You can live comfortably on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When 400k is not enough for private school…this world is something else.

Not for 3 kids at 50k each.

Could pay for 3 kids at 50k each and still have an income higher than 95% of American family households.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At $400K, you still have 250K, which is more than many make. You can live comfortably on that.

Tuition is paid in post-tax dollars, not pre-tax.

[Anonymous]

We're just very wealthy. Dh and I both are lucky enough to come from families that have done well, so we don't have to worry about tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When 400k is not enough for private school…this world is something else.

You can’t save for college and also do 3 kids tuition at private independent schools in DMV. It’s one or the other

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $400K, you still have 250K, which is more than many make. You can live comfortably on that.

Tuition is paid in post-tax dollars, not pre-tax.

Ok, you realize lots of families live off of $100-150K or less just fine. It's all about priorities and lifestyle choices. They are very wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Life is about priorities and choices. Money spent on X is not available to spend on Y. You do you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Income is fine at $400k combined salary but we have 3 kids. 2 have special needs and will require small class sizes. All kids did public but now with middle and high school approaching, we think it’s time to move 1-2 kids over to private. Income is enough to not qualify for aid yet 2 tuitions of 40k or so, feels constraining. We don’t typically take lavish trips but wondering how others see this, finance it?

Use public schools and save for colleges and retirement. You are donut hole, kids won't get financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Private schools used to be for the richest. For a while, salary outpaced tuition. That time is long since over, but people whose parents may have been able to afford private on a GS15 or middle management salary can't do the same for their kids