Anonymous wrote:Dear DCUM money-wise people: I am hoping to revive an old thread.

Our HHI is approx $340,000 per year (taking home approx $15,000 per month after taxes, benefits, and 401(k) match). We are in our mid-40's. We are spending too much, and want to save more (outside of just the 401(k)s). I welcome any and all constructive feedback. We have an emergency fund for 6 months, and have saved a bit for retirement ($1 million combined in 401(ks)). We have no investments other than our 401(k)s. Thank you.


$3,000 Child care (part-time nanny) for 3 kids (ages 4, 11, 14)
$2,300 Mortgage (remaining loan balance is $330,000)(House is worth $800,000)
$2,000 (Activities for kids – piano and instrumental lessons and sports teams like swim team, ballet, gymnastics)
$1000 Food (we try not to eat out)
$800 Insurance (Auto for 2 cars, Term life insurance for 2 of us, disability insurance, worker’s comp for nanny, umbrella, personal articles, homeowner’s)
$600 sleepaway camps and other summer enrichment
$600 Weekly cleaning service
$600 Travel expenses (For vacation 2x year)
$400 (Home repairs and upkeep)
$400 (clothing, dry cleaning, haircuts)
$350 Orthodontic treatment for 2 kids
$350 Math tutoring for teenager who struggles with math
$300 Out of pocket medical and dental (non-ortho)
$300 Car payment
$300 Gifts
$250 Gas and car repairs (because one of our cars is old and seems to need repairs often)
$200 Entertainment
$200 Charitable contributions
$200 Pepco
$200 Storage Unit
$200 Comcast (internet, phone, cable)
$200 (AT&T cell phone service for 4 phones)
$150 Gym membership
$100 Water
$100 Gas
$ 0 529s (We don't feel obliged to save for college right now because the grandparents have stretched to give each kid a 529 now worth about $250,000 each)

Thank you in advance for any constructive feedback. I know we spend a lot of kids' activities, which seems like one to cut.

Anonymous wrote:Dear DCUM money-wise people: I am hoping to revive an old thread.

Our HHI is approx $340,000 per year (taking home approx $15,000 per month after taxes, benefits, and 401(k) match). We are in our mid-40's. We are spending too much, and want to save more (outside of just the 401(k)s). I welcome any and all constructive feedback. We have an emergency fund for 6 months, and have saved a bit for retirement ($1 million combined in 401(ks)). We have no investments other than our 401(k)s. Thank you.


$3,000 Child care (part-time nanny) for 3 kids (ages 4, 11, 14)
$2,300 Mortgage (remaining loan balance is $330,000)(House is worth $800,000)
$2,000 (Activities for kids – piano and instrumental lessons and sports teams like swim team, ballet, gymnastics)
$1000 Food (we try not to eat out)
$800 Insurance (Auto for 2 cars, Term life insurance for 2 of us, disability insurance, worker’s comp for nanny, umbrella, personal articles, homeowner’s)
$600 sleepaway camps and other summer enrichment
$600 Weekly cleaning service
$600 Travel expenses (For vacation 2x year)
$400 (Home repairs and upkeep)
$400 (clothing, dry cleaning, haircuts)
$350 Orthodontic treatment for 2 kids
$350 Math tutoring for teenager who struggles with math
$300 Out of pocket medical and dental (non-ortho)
$300 Car payment
$300 Gifts
$250 Gas and car repairs (because one of our cars is old and seems to need repairs often)
$200 Entertainment
$200 Charitable contributions
$200 Pepco
$200 Storage Unit
$200 Comcast (internet, phone, cable)
$200 (AT&T cell phone service for 4 phones)
$150 Gym membership
$100 Water
$100 Gas
$ 0 529s (We don't feel obliged to save for college right now because the grandparents have stretched to give each kid a 529 now worth about $250,000 each)

Thank you in advance for any constructive feedback. I know we spend a lot of kids' activities, which seems like one to cut.

Anonymous wrote:Dear DCUM money-wise people: I am hoping to revive an old thread.

Our HHI is approx $340,000 per year (taking home approx $15,000 per month after taxes, benefits, and 401(k) match). We are in our mid-40's. We are spending too much, and want to save more (outside of just the 401(k)s). I welcome any and all constructive feedback. We have an emergency fund for 6 months, and have saved a bit for retirement ($1 million combined in 401(ks)). We have no investments other than our 401(k)s. Thank you.


$3,000 Child care (part-time nanny) for 3 kids (ages 4, 11, 14)
$2,300 Mortgage (remaining loan balance is $330,000)(House is worth $800,000)
$2,000 (Activities for kids – piano and instrumental lessons and sports teams like swim team, ballet, gymnastics)
$1000 Food (we try not to eat out)
$800 Insurance (Auto for 2 cars, Term life insurance for 2 of us, disability insurance, worker’s comp for nanny, umbrella, personal articles, homeowner’s)
$600 sleepaway camps and other summer enrichment
$600 Weekly cleaning service
$600 Travel expenses (For vacation 2x year)
$400 (Home repairs and upkeep)
$400 (clothing, dry cleaning, haircuts)
$350 Orthodontic treatment for 2 kids
$350 Math tutoring for teenager who struggles with math
$300 Out of pocket medical and dental (non-ortho)
$300 Car payment
$300 Gifts
$250 Gas and car repairs (because one of our cars is old and seems to need repairs often)
$200 Entertainment
$200 Charitable contributions
$200 Pepco
$200 Storage Unit
$200 Comcast (internet, phone, cable)
$200 (AT&T cell phone service for 4 phones)
$150 Gym membership
$100 Water
$100 Gas
$ 0 529s (We don't feel obliged to save for college right now because the grandparents have stretched to give each kid a 529 now worth about $250,000 each)

Thank you in advance for any constructive feedback. I know we spend a lot of kids' activities, which seems like one to cut.

Anonymous wrote:The original poster is netting 15k, but the next poster 'making the same income' is betting 19,500. Big difference and doesn't make sense?