I would check with the insurance company to see if the insurance rates will drop significantly if the teen doesn't have his/her own car. My parents didn't get me my own car when I was growing up for that reason. That will save you on VA personal property tax plus hopefully insurance costs.

I don't know what the child support calculations will be for you, but I would expect that he would pay at least $1000/mo. of the two kids. That will change when one ages out (turns 18). But, for now, you could expect that you will have $5000/mo. That is enough to live on. And yes, you can live with an apartment that costs $2k if you need to. The kids will share, right -- a 2 bdrm unit?

I assume you want to stay in the same school zone. Don't know how pricey that is, but there are certainly TH rentals for $1500-$2000.

Let's assume $4500. If you pay $2K for rent, +$500 for utilities and misc., $1000 for food, that leaves you $500 for cars/clothes/gas/misc repairs. It's definitely tight. But, you can survive. Of course, it would help you a lot to drop the rent a couple hundred. Would also help if the teen could get a job that pays for his/her car and clothes.

What school zone are you in, OP? Are you willing to move?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look for apartments in Fairfax. You should be able to find a two-bedroom (not updated) for about $2k. Split the dogs and sell the third car.

2k is what we currently pay for a three bedroom house. I can't afford half my income to go for just rent.

THat's what I did when I first stated out. If you really want to divorce, that's what you will have to do. How much does he make?

He makes 100k, but carries a great deal of personal debt.

I also have to commute into DC for work.

Move to PG county near the New Carrollton metro. There are plenty of nice neighborhoods there.

Anonymous wrote:Sell 2 of the 3 cars. One of you need to live on top of the metro/bus line and the other needs to do all pick-ups plus drop-offs. Also agree to both move to a small, cheaper community.

I disagree with this advice if the cars are paid off. Living on top of metro line will cost more money in living expenses and buses take forever if any of the required routes require a transfer.

Anonymous wrote:Run your relative salaries through the va child support calculator to get a feel for what you might get (or pay).

http://www.vasupportcalc.com/child-support-calculators/

Remember that as a single head of household filer you will pay less in taxes than you are currently paying.

I checked that on the IRS tables and, not really.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look for apartments in Fairfax. You should be able to find a two-bedroom (not updated) for about $2k. Split the dogs and sell the third car.

2k is what we currently pay for a three bedroom house. I can't afford half my income to go for just rent.

THat's what I did when I first stated out. If you really want to divorce, that's what you will have to do. How much does he make?

He makes 100k, but carries a great deal of personal debt.

I also have to commute into DC for work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look for apartments in Fairfax. You should be able to find a two-bedroom (not updated) for about $2k. Split the dogs and sell the third car.

2k is what we currently pay for a three bedroom house. I can't afford half my income to go for just rent.

THat's what I did when I first stated out. If you really want to divorce, that's what you will have to do. How much does he make?

Run your relative salaries through the va child support calculator to get a feel for what you might get (or pay).

http://www.vasupportcalc.com/child-support-calculators/

Remember that as a single head of household filer you will pay less in taxes than you are currently paying.

Anonymous wrote:Sell 2 of the 3 cars. One of you need to live on top of the metro/bus line and the other needs to do all pick-ups plus drop-offs. Also agree to both move to a small, cheaper community.

Recommendations?

Anonymous wrote:Look for apartments in Fairfax. You should be able to find a two-bedroom (not updated) for about $2k. Split the dogs and sell the third car.

2k is what we currently pay for a three bedroom house. I can't afford half my income to go for just rent.

Sell 2 of the 3 cars. One of you need to live on top of the metro/bus line and the other needs to do all pick-ups plus drop-offs. Also agree to both move to a small, cheaper community.

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean that's total income? or DW or DH? Will you be the one paying or receiving child care?

Why do you have so many cars? You would probably have to move much further out.

That is my total income.
Do you mean child support? I'll be receiving.
I have a car, he has a car, the teenager has a car. None of them are new or nice.

Do you mean that's total income? or DW or DH? Will you be the one paying or receiving child care?

Why do you have so many cars? You would probably have to move much further out.

Look for apartments in Fairfax. You should be able to find a two-bedroom (not updated) for about $2k. Split the dogs and sell the third car.

I only make $78k/yr. from a federal job, after taxes I bring home $4k/mo.; we have two kids, two dogs and three cars, and we rent.
I have tried to do the numbers, make a budget, but I don't think I'll be able to get by.
Please don't troll me, I am looking for guidance and advice.