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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

We make approx $180K and take home $8600 a month - we have enough for our expenses but not much to save. Here's a breakdown.

$2260 - mortgage
$2260 - child care for 2
$1000 - student loans (should go down to $800 next month)
[b]$1000 - food (with coupons)[/b]
$ 500 - utilities (power, gas, cable/internet, cell phones)
$ 185 - life insurances
$ 135 - car insurance (2 cars)
$ 200 - gas/parking/metro (driving to/from downtown from SS daily)
[b]$ 300 - housekeeper (my primary splurge but the stress she relives is priceless and marriage counseling would cost more)[/b]
[b]$ 300 - charity[/b]
[b]$ 100 - gym[/b]
$  50 - dr/prescriptions

So that leaves approx $500 for clothing, weekend activities, car repairs, vacation savings, shopping, etc.

I am NOT complaining. I actually think we have a great life and are very lucky to have the things we have, but money does go pretty quickly.

I know people who make it work on much lower salaries and I think its incredible.

[/quote]

So, all of the bolded things are splurges.  While I understand that keeping Kosher is more expensive, entertaining more than once per month is not a necessity.  It's a splurge.  By my estimate, you could probably save $500-1000 more per month if you chose to.  That you think those are necessities that are must haves to avoid saving anything for emergencies, life happens or college funds is a choice you make that many of us would not.  You have the disposable income to spend how you want it, but you should not be counting yourself as struggling to get by on $180K.  As you note, you are living pretty well.

The original PP said she was struggling to get by on $180K and essentially living paycheck to paycheck.  That's just ridiculous.[/quote]

I dont count ourselves as struggling. We have everything we need and most things we want and I wasnt the original $180K PP.

I dont consider charity to be a splurge. Also, hosting meals 2-4x per month means that we get invited out 2-4x per month, so thats 2-4 less meals that we need to make - although we could save by not hosting, its not that much of a savings and would significantly impact our social life and our quality of life.

So the most we could save is approx $300 a month (gym and maybe a couple hundred on groceries) and thankfully we dont have to do that at this point. We are not saving for college, as we are paying childcare now and will continue paying for private school as our kids get older and when they go to college, we will hopefully have the same monthly amount to contribute towards college tuition, and maybe more, assuming our salaries increase. [/quote]

I think that's insane.  What happens if your salaries don't increase?  What happens if say, your husband has a heart attack or catastrophic stroke and is forced to retire early?  Your kids are doubly fucked then: You haven't saved a cent, and you'll probably make too much for them to qualify for aid.  As much money as you and your husband are bringing in you SHOULD be saving.  You don't know what tomorrow will bring, if it comes for you at all.  [/quote]

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