Dual income HHI ~$150k, what do you do?

[Anonymous]

We are both public school teachers in the DC suburbs. Above $150k, but below $200k.

My brother makes what we do working security in Vegas and he’s single.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are both public school teachers in the DC suburbs. Above $150k, but below $200k.

My brother makes what we do working security in Vegas and he’s single.

But you two have summer off, winter and spring break, other paid holidays, and excellent benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.). All of those things are worth something---probably worth far more than your brother's income.

[Anonymous]

We are mid-40s with a HHI of $170. It's plenty unless you are living above your means. Just got a promotion, so now we will have a HHI of $235. Again: mid-40s. In our 20s we were probably closer to $100 combined (one of us has a fancy advanced degree, but minimal loans that were paid off quickly thanks to cheap housing and lots of ramen).

[Anonymous]

How do you guys afford both spouses working? Wish I was rich enough to afford a nanny, two commutes, maid, takeout food, pricey day cares and summer camps.

Most folks can only afford to Have higher income spouse work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you guys afford both spouses working? Wish I was rich enough to afford a nanny, two commutes, maid, takeout food, pricey day cares and summer camps.

Most folks can only afford to Have higher income spouse work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you guys afford both spouses working? Wish I was rich enough to afford a nanny, two commutes, maid, takeout food, pricey day cares and summer camps.

Most folks can only afford to Have higher income spouse work.

Uh...what? This math only works if one person makes under about $40k. Most people who responded here split the HHI relatively evenly and taking away one of those income sources would be a huge blow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you guys afford both spouses working? Wish I was rich enough to afford a nanny, two commutes, maid, takeout food, pricey day cares and summer camps.

Most folks can only afford to Have higher income spouse work.

What?

We both work. Until very recently, our HHI was $170.

No maid, no lawn service.

For child care we were fortunate enough to piece together care using grandparents, preschool, and a high school sitter.

Minimal takeout (pizza once or twice a week).

Yes, summer camps are very expensive, but there are more affordable options.

But your premise is ridiculous. People work because they can't afford to stay home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you guys afford both spouses working? Wish I was rich enough to afford a nanny, two commutes, maid, takeout food, pricey day cares and summer camps.

Most folks can only afford to Have higher income spouse work.

Uh...what? This math only works if one person makes under about $40k. Most people who responded here split the HHI relatively evenly and taking away one of those income sources would be a huge blow.

No, actually this person is right. If you are paying a nanny $55k/yr, you have to have a high HHI. Many of us have multiple young children. If you tack on a cleaner (a luxury, I know), you add another $3600/yr. For us, I was making $95 w/3 kids and I would have been working for benefits and about $500/mo. We tried schlepping kids to daycare and it’s a total circus if you have to be downtown by 8 a.m. Yes, it CAN be done and many people do it, but for us it was miserable.

I work Pt now and our HHI is $200k. It works for us for now. That’s plenty to live on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOVA public school teacher and analyst for an on line security company. We both make in the 70s and are 30 years old. So $150k combined. No kids and don't plan on having any.

Do you not plan on having children because of your salaries? $150,000 is plenty to raise a family on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you guys afford both spouses working? Wish I was rich enough to afford a nanny, two commutes, maid, takeout food, pricey day cares and summer camps.

Most folks can only afford to Have higher income spouse work.

Uh...what? This math only works if one person makes under about $40k. Most people who responded here split the HHI relatively evenly and taking away one of those income sources would be a huge blow.

No, actually this person is right. If you are paying a nanny $55k/yr, you have to have a high HHI. Many of us have multiple young children. If you tack on a cleaner (a luxury, I know), you add another $3600/yr. For us, I was making $95 w/3 kids and I would have been working for benefits and about $500/mo. We tried schlepping kids to daycare and it’s a total circus if you have to be downtown by 8 a.m. Yes, it CAN be done and many people do it, but for us it was miserable.

I work Pt now and our HHI is $200k. It works for us for now. That’s plenty to live on.

This is us almost exactly, except I have two kids. Very little stress in our family (other than kids not listening). We are done by 7:30pm - dinner, clean up, prepare lunch for school/camp the next day, bath, HW, etc.. DH and I can relax at night when kids have gone to bed by 8pm. Errands are run during "mommy" hours so we don't have to fight the hordes on the weekend. It's fantastic. It's why we moved to a lower col area. We did sacrifice living a bit further out, but IMO it's been worth it. DH leaves early in the morning and is home by 5pm, 5:30pm on a bad traffic day.