$4-5k if we don't control spending. This also includes some padding for emergencies. It is hard to completely split out the extra two munchkins from the cost numbers though. The numbers include trips for a family of four, groceries for four, eating out for four, clothing for four, etc. I am just taking out mortgage, and childcare expenses.

When we are being frugal, I would say $3k which was closer to costs prior to kids....

probably $5k

taxes and insurance on the house are probably $1k, don't know if that is being counted or not

2K probably, if that. Funny what a small portion of their income working adults spend on themselves.

Our house is paid off and prior to having a kid we lived off of $4000-$5000/month depending on how much we ate out or took trips. We used to travel a lot. Miss those days.

With no mortgage payment? $5K which would include some travel and some emergency expenses and no real cost-cutting (cutting out cable for example). If you add in a big college bill though, it would be much more.

500

I'm guessing $10k too although hard to know how much of our expenses are kid related. Our monthly Amex bill is in the $7-10k range. That doesn't include most of our utilities for 2 houses but I guess that counts as housing?

Anonymous wrote:We need about $10k

Wow! Really? Could you give us an idea as to where you spend the money? Just curious because I was the one who posted $5K and then saw others posted a lot less.

We do a lot of travel which is the only reason that our monthly expenses are as high as they are.

We need about $10k

2K max.

$4k a month. Maybe $3k if we had no home repairs or car expenses that month.

Just me and a spouse and no mortgage/childcare to account for? 2k maybe. Probably less.

$4K a month is plenty for us.

Health care can vary quite a bit from year to year. I would say if we want to travel, $5-7 k a month all inclusive.

Let us assume your house is fully paid up so you don't have any mortgage payments. Also, you have no childcare expenses or college/school expenses either. It is just you and your spouse...........

I am leaving out the housing and children related expenses because there is so much variation in those categories of expenses. Other types of expenses are less likely to vary very much.

How much money do you need monthly to maintain your current life-style?