[quote=outtamojo]Not to criticize spending habits, but shouldn’t 170K income/ year be plenty even w/ kids?[/quote]
Plenty for what? To live decently in a pricey area like La Jolla UTC (renting) – yes, but not saving much.

Here is a breakdown:
The take home salary is 12K. Maximizing 401K means 2000/mo. 2000/mo daycare, 1000/mo college funds, 500/mo life insurance; gas,car insurance, car payments 1000/mo. $500 utilities, cable and iphones. So here are 7000$ already accounted for. we have left $5000 at MOST. $2500 rent.
Food is at least $1500.

Then there are clothes, toys/games, books, parks, classes/activities, and other household items…

Only for last couple years we had real income after one of us left finally academia…

Of course all of us going to Europe to see my family and them to see the kids every other year for a few weeks wipes most of the savings those year…