you know this will be all over the map, right? i mean, if you have just one child with SNs or a type 1 diabetic or something, the expenses will be much higher.
that said, I think our family is right around yours, which is why I'm taking a leap of faith and switching from a premier BCBS plan to a high-deductible plan that allows me to open an HSA.
The difference in premiums is about $3,000. Plus I add the $2,500 I would have put into a use-or-lose FSA.
If all goes like it has in a "normal" year, I'll pay the $3,000 in premiums and roughly $3,000 in out-of-pocket expenses (including co-pays, glasses and contacts, lab fees, etc). I'll be able to roll over about $2,500 into next year's HSA. All without affecting my take-home pay in my paycheck.
Then after two years of this I'll have $5,000 in the HSA right around the time I need to get my kid braces.