Reply #7: 50 thousand before taxes, and...

[TreasonousBastard]

they've got 21,000 of it going out in rent and one car. Then there's the other car, insurance on the cars, utilities, food... 50 grand ain't shit any more. It ain't even the median family income any more.

And this situation isn't new at all. Years ago many women found that they better be making a LOT of money at that job or they're losing money. Transportation, clothes, makeup, lunches, daycare, higher joint tax bracket... it can add up to more than you make. And that was before gas and housing went through the roof.

Also years ago-- if both worked, the smart couples paid the bills with the bigger paycheck and put the smaller one into savings. And didn't buy minivans on credit.

Some old lessons are being relearned.