What’s wrong with one spouse working part-time? Or even both being on flex time?
Drive used cars, buy a duplex or 50-year old home, don’t renovate the kitchen/baths if they’re functional, plenty of electronics to be had cheap on Craigslist, etc.
Live like 30 years ago, not like in 2016. If you have any extra money, use it for travel (student style not fancypants) rather than acquiring more useless toys.
SS is no real issue:
40 quarters means 10 years of work with at least $1260 pay per quarter. i.e. 10 1/2 hours of work per week at $10/hr assuming one week off per quarter.
