I don't think piling on the OP is fair, or that she's a gold digger or any of that .... but, this thread made me laugh. My family is in a situation where we temporarily (next 3-5 years) have a budget that is almost that tight, although we do get haircuts and occasional ice cream. I started reading, ready to commiserate. Then I learn that they have a $350k emergency fund and I almost fell off the couch rolling. We have a $10k emergency fund, no college funds for our kids, are way behind on retirement savings, and live paycheck to paycheck. If we had that much money socked away I would sleep like a baby every night and not think twice about a damn haircut. Count your blessings, lady. There are not that many people (outside of DCUM land) who have a situation as secure as yours.

Anonymous wrote:OP - You're not being rational about this at all.

You need to either stop or cut way back on funding your little ones college accounts for the next 2 yrs. I really don't understand HOW you could/would sock away that kind of money while allowing yourselves to live with so much financial stress. haircuts and ice cream are literal pennies. just makes no sense. I am the step mom of 2. Have been paying CS for 16yrs and have put one through college - 100% our nickel and are paying for the second one at 50%. She has 2 yrs left. We are fully funding retirement but not college for our two younger ones. not until the other stuff is gone.

You have to live a little bit for today OP. You're not promised tomorrow....

I agree PP, you are not promised a (happily-ever-after) tomorrow, especially if the attractive, wealthy DH whom OP married stays true to form. Remember, if he cheated with OP on his first wife, then he will cheat on OP with his third one. Actually, that may be the reason OP is working to fund her little ones college accounts now. Smart woman.

Put less n the little kids college funds for a couple years

OP - You're not being rational about this at all.

You need to either stop or cut way back on funding your little ones college accounts for the next 2 yrs. I really don't understand HOW you could/would sock away that kind of money while allowing yourselves to live with so much financial stress. haircuts and ice cream are literal pennies. just makes no sense. I am the step mom of 2. Have been paying CS for 16yrs and have put one through college - 100% our nickel and are paying for the second one at 50%. She has 2 yrs left. We are fully funding retirement but not college for our two younger ones. not until the other stuff is gone.

You have to live a little bit for today OP. You're not promised tomorrow....