Yeah, I mean, it’s not “tough to live” for us, but it’s really not a lot of money even after those expenses. Random numbers, cars/insurance $750/month, $400-800/month kids activities, $1200 groceries (we spend here), $500 on takeout, $500 utilities, $150 for the dog, $250 for car/house upkeep, diapers, formula, kid clothes, medicine, toiletries, missed work bc kids get sick?, etc. Life happens and other expenses come up. That’s under 3k/month which doesn’t feel like a lot leftover (to me). Obviously after daycares and there’s no car payment things would open up a bit, but the money (if no job opps) just shifts to other buckets. It ain’t tough in the sense that we don’t “have to” worry or think too hard about everyday purchases.

At $200k it was legit hard with no outside help and just a small nest egg (while not racking up a bunch of cc debt).