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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]$90K... Ok

$25K for health insurance (monthly, co-pays, things not covered). Remember, having babies means tons of appointments! And little kids injure themselves-- sprains and breaks, broken teeth, and all the random ear infections and rashes and fevers other stuff that necessitates an appointment. Don't forget your wife's medical care-- pregnancy complications, C-section care, mastitis, all kinds of stuff.
[b]Root of good pays nowhere near $25k[/b]

3K for property taxes plus assessments. LCOL areas love to claim low tax rates but slap homeowners with "assessments" when funds are needed.
[b]Yes, he may need to move to a lower cost of living area[/b]

Home maintenance... Gonna say $1K per year for basics, assuming a lot of DIY, plus every so often a major expense in the $5K-$25K range (roof, boiler, exterior paint). Let's set aside $4K a year for that. Total of $5K.
[b]I have been a single family home owner for 20 years and have never spent anywhere near $4k per year for maintenance[/b] 
$2K a year for utilities and phones, maybe $3-5K if it's a cold climate. Heat uses more in a single family home than a condo.
[b]This is possible[/b]

5K for gas and car maintenance. Probably two cars, since LCOLs tend to be less dense, you'll be  driving a lot. Also, set aside $1K per year to replace the cars as they depreciate. Snow tires if it's cold.
[b]Why would he need two cars if neither person works? Why would he be driving a lot?[/b]
$5K a year in college savings, to contribute to SOME of the cost of an in-state education. Mr. My Parents Supported Me After College needs to do the right thing here.
[b]You can send a kid to a public school by saving $2k per year from birth. There's also military options, scholarships, grants etc[/b]

$5K for travel to his and her family. Remember, if you fly, that's 4 plane tickets.
[b]It doesn't cost $5k to drive and see family[/b]

See how fast that goes? We've spent more than half the $90K already, and nobody's eaten any food or worn any clothes, and nothing bad has happened yet. But it will![/quote][/quote]

I don't know how you cannot spend $4K+ per year for maintenance?  Have you not needed a new roof/HVAC/H2O heater?  20 years ago my roof cost $15K, last year it was $45K (larger home, lots of valleys). Painting my home outside was $20K.  Sure you don't do it yearly, but it adds up.  Most people do not do their own electrical and plumbing work or appliance repair.  Most appliances last 8-10 years.  So a new dishwasher and fridge every 10 years is $3-4K, add in the washer/dryer for another $1-2K.   
Tycpial estimates is 10-15% of home value will be needed (on average) for home maintenance.  When home gets older, it will be higher.

[/quote]

Those are accurate estimates if you're useless and can't do home repairs/improvements yourself.

Hell, just avoid companies like Michael & Son and you will save roughly 50%.[/quote]

Most of us are useless in that way. I'd say if you throw a rock in a crowd, you are unlikely to find someone able to fix their own roof or replace their own AC, or fix their own plumbing, or whatever sh** has to get done on a house in a year. Did OP say that part of his money saving plan is to do his own plumbing from now on? If so I missed it.[/quote]

^ Rather, fix their own roof AND replace their own AC AND fix their own plumbing, since according to you all skilled tradespeople are unnecessary.[/quote]

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