Families of five, making under 150k, share your budget

[Anonymous]

We know a lot of families like this. The one with just under that income has a SAHM. They cook a lot, take driving vacations, take advantage of the free stuff in the city like splash parks and museums, The kids don't do much in the way of activities. Even then, I suspect they got parental help for their down payment.

Other people make it work by spacing the kids so that the oldest provides after school care, or by living in a less desirable neighborhood. Some also have Grandma provide after school care.

[Anonymous]

$150,000 a month?

[Anonymous]

I think there is a huge difference between a $150k HHI that comes from a single vs. dual earners. $150k is absolutely doable with three kids if you have no (or minimal) childcare costs. Or if they are spaced out enough that you dont have 3 in daycare at the same time (although there are still camps, after care, etc.). Our HHI is 175k and are stopping at two kids.

OP, if you do both work then you just need to do the math and see whether you can absorb the extra childcare costs, saving for college, etc. Cutting a few bucks here or there on groceries isn’t going to make up for that.