Clothes- you can incredible deals for women and kids at consignment shops. Pretend it's a sport, it's really fun shopping.
Food - eat healthy, avoid processed food. A healthy diet doesn't need to be expensive. Cut out junk food and soda.
Mortgage - have you refinanced? Can you get a lower rate?
Student loans - they can be very expensive. Have you looked at paying them off with a lower rate loan?
Cars- never buy new! Three year old cars with under 20,000 are a great value.
Childcare - some YMCA's have good, inexpensive programs. Check out churches as well.

When you start working put money into a 401k for retirement especially if there is a corporate match.
Set a reasonable savings goal and target weekly savings. Try to do it through payroll savings so it doesn't first go into your bank account.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

Or they have a very high HHI..... But I was also wondering about this comment.

But this is a thread about making ends meet on 130k. So if their HHI is 500k, that's not very helpful/applicable.

We're under 130k. We don't live in DC because we wouldn't have been able to make that rule work without buying a distressed property. The peace of mind is worth it.

You found a unicorn, where homes are cheap and your job still paying almost DC salary. Are you doctors ?

isnt the point that many here are in a groupthink where a 3400$ mortgage becomes normal.?
i bought an appt in DC that was 200 and i was making 44. the point is that it was not an albatross

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel better OP, we have $2.5 million a year HHI, and we are literally living paycheck to paycheck. Everything is so expensive in DMV.

You must be feeding an army.

That's a troll. Comes on every thread complaining that $2 million a year (so, $150,000+ a MONTH) is middle class. If you believe her, that means she makes more in two weeks what the average family makes in a year. Paycheck to paycheck....riiiiiiight.

oh, wow. i just responded to the 2.5 HHI guy on a diff thread

it's so interesting that that would be someone's narrative of choice.
out of all the yarns that you could tell

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

Or they have a very high HHI..... But I was also wondering about this comment.

But this is a thread about making ends meet on 130k. So if their HHI is 500k, that's not very helpful/applicable.

We're under 130k. We don't live in DC because we wouldn't have been able to make that rule work without buying a distressed property. The peace of mind is worth it.

You found a unicorn, where homes are cheap and your job still paying almost DC salary. Are you doctors ?

isnt the point that many here are in a groupthink where a 3400$ mortgage becomes normal.?
i bought an appt in DC that was 200 and i was making 44. the point is that it was not an albatross

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

Or they have a very high HHI..... But I was also wondering about this comment.

But this is a thread about making ends meet on 130k. So if their HHI is 500k, that's not very helpful/applicable.

We're under 130k. We don't live in DC because we wouldn't have been able to make that rule work without buying a distressed property. The peace of mind is worth it.

You found a unicorn, where homes are cheap and your job still paying almost DC salary. Are you doctors ?

Anonymous wrote:OP- cost of living expands to meet HHI. My HHI out of law school was $85,000 and I lived paycheck to paycheck. 20 years later, my HHI is $2.5-$3 million and I still live paycheck to paycheck. You will be fine at your HHI.

it's true for many; i just find this so weird. i guess it's good for us that can manage money

OP- cost of living expands to meet HHI. My HHI out of law school was $85,000 and I lived paycheck to paycheck. 20 years later, my HHI is $2.5-$3 million and I still live paycheck to paycheck. You will be fine at your HHI.

Wow! Our combined HHI isn't even $130k (both teachers with 2 kids) and I am feeling really poor reading some of these posts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

We did it. Live close in DC, bought 10 years ago, income approx. $140K. It can be done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

Or they have a very high HHI..... But I was also wondering about this comment.

But this is a thread about making ends meet on 130k. So if their HHI is 500k, that's not very helpful/applicable.

We're under 130k. We don't live in DC because we wouldn't have been able to make that rule work without buying a distressed property. The peace of mind is worth it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

Or they have a very high HHI..... But I was also wondering about this comment.

But this is a thread about making ends meet on 130k. So if their HHI is 500k, that's not very helpful/applicable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

Or they have a very high HHI..... But I was also wondering about this comment.

Anonymous wrote:Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

So either you don't live in DC or bought 40 years ago. Which one is it?

Own a house that's 1x (max) HHI. Best financial decision since our marriage.

I raised 2 kids on under $65k for 7 years (until 2012) and then raised one on roughly $70-75k until I remarried. My tips are...
buy generic
Learn to repair and reuse rather than tossing. I got really handy with a sewing needle, spray paint, Gorilla Glue, and so on
Buy basic items at Aldi's and Dollar Tree
avoid going out (eat at home, watch Netflix)
Shop your closets, the thrift store, and Freecycle first --even before looking online
dote on your old car and cell phone so they last forever
use coupons, rebates, and any discount you can get
swap things and small jobs with family, friends, and neighbors
Track every penny
dilute your shampoo, dishwashing liquid, and laundry detergent. They work just as well at 3/4 to even 2/3 strength

During this time, my kids still ate organic eggs and dairy, took trips (including abroad), and got braces.