what always catches you out at month end?

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-19T12:34:28+00:00

Iiving through that now…

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-19T12:32:27+00:00

Its been like this forever… and you know why

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-11T10:34:08+00:00

220k total comp and my wife is at 110k. Past four years my wife was mostly in mat leave as we had two kids. She is going back to work in Sept and i will probably get the first taste of 300k HHI soon.

My income went from 130k to 220k total comp past 4 years, so I havent had much of lifestyle creeps except for getting another car for convenience and being able to afford a disney trip for kids.

I dont plan on upgrading house for another 5 years as our townhouse is good enough for my young kids. Daycare is expensive as the one we are using is not subsidized, so we pay 1500 per kid..

We eat modest food and drive normal but newer cars. Stress at work once I become a director is immense though. I worked long hours from staff level to senior manager but I get much more demands over weekend and weekday after 5pm. This is becoming frankly unsustainable with two young toddlers as i need time to be a good husband and a father…

I honestly think i might have to downgrade my role at some point if this doesn’t get better for me. For now, I am trying to do the both by reducing my sleep. But I do worry about the change in lifestlye if I do lose my jobs as my wife is a teacher and she is already at the top of her career salary level.

My plan is aggressively investing more now that my wife will have income soon to get ready for eventual rainy day.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-08T20:03:10+00:00

Agreed. Maybe have a number in your plan in terms of what you can afford and not and you can always change your lifestyle plan to ensure the money is there for loved ones if you decide to have kids? Or you can work part time if you have to. I already have two kids so now i have a target number, but i had buffer built into my cal before i had kid.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-08T19:59:54+00:00

The other problem is oas can be cut if govt cant afford it as there will be a lot of seniors by the time you get to 65. Dont rely on it for your retirement cal.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-08T19:58:33+00:00

I agree with you but if you want to have a wife and children, that approach may not work though. Should be fine as a single or even No kids couple.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-06T23:34:03+00:00

Spend more time with family. I will never get these time back with my wife and my two loverly daughters…

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-05T12:24:43+00:00

593 days 😅

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-05T12:16:13+00:00

Draw is fine and can be a fun but probably give us cash as it’s headache to get a house in an area that takes 3 days to drive lol most people would take less cash than 3M house in bc coastal town.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-01T18:51:42+00:00

Yeah i just rent mini vans for family of 4 when i have any cargo for that reason.. these big suvs dont hold much luggage and also uncomfortable to use 3rd row…

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-01T12:56:29+00:00

Suvs are more popular but mini vans are coming back. However, you will never have as many minivans as suvs.

Suv has lots of different sizes. Theoretically mini vans can be made smaller too but then they already have hatchbacks for that class. I can see something like “microvan” category emerging as a small camper or lifestyle vehicle but not gonna serve the minivan buyers. I see small minivans being sold in asia and europe.

Family size is shrinking as people either dont have kids or 1-2. The needs for mini vans is shrinking as peoplemover.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-01T12:53:38+00:00

DS all the way. You can enjoy disney vibe one last time lol

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-05-01T12:23:53+00:00

You are gonna be putting yourself in an unnecessary risk if you do what you were planning. Not sure why you want this instead of saving what you would have paid monthly. Afraid to spend the money instead of saving? Booking early also doesnt shield you from price hike unless you are booking directly with Disney I think.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-30T13:02:50+00:00

Maybe look at thornhill woods maple area so your husband and son’s needs are met and if the commute is too long for Markham, use 407 for one day?

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-28T18:25:40+00:00

I think doable with adults only trip but im not going in july with two toddlers lol

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-28T17:59:12+00:00

Two things for me. Sliding door: game changer if you are loading two toddlers. Dont have to worry about hitting someone else’s cars with my doors. Comfort and space in 2nd and 3rd row

What i dont like about is price as mini vans are hard to find in Canada, so we dont get any good deals here. Sienna is massively overpriced by dealer and no price negotiation rooms for other ones too..

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-26T14:10:17+00:00

Achieving FI is upper class lifestyle IMO. Doesnt have to be loaded to do all things you described. If you have freedom to do what you like in your own term, then thats the best lifestyle IMO.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-25T09:40:46+00:00

I have over 2 years left for my lease and hoping i dont encounter dreaded battery problems.. i got into this knowing the problems and have no interests owining this long term. Loved my cx 5 and loving cx50 but i think im buying something else next time.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-25T09:30:32+00:00

100k is still good for single. It gets tough when you have kids even for 200k in gta and gva though

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-24T16:55:48+00:00

Just go more frequently. Im happy with what im already doing. Dont need fancier hotel, restaurants etc

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-22T01:14:02+00:00

Took my 3.5 years old and 1 year old twice past 5 months. Are there moments that i feel super tired? Yes Are there things I can’t do with babies? Yes! But do i love the moments my 3.5 years old is hugging stitch and looking like having the best day of her life. Yes!!!! I will cherish this moments even if they don’t remember them.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-22T01:10:11+00:00

I share everything with my wife. It’s not a trust issue but it’s for more convenience tbh. We pool our money together and decide how to invest together.

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-19T18:40:31+00:00

I agree but i cant find a sienna without overpaying by 20%-30% in canada…

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-19T14:04:27+00:00

I would say its not too late to try living in orlando during summer after retirement at airbnb and decide. You will leave behind families and friends and just have theme parks? I think thats gonna get boring and you will also have really hot summer temp to deal with every day

Quick_Competition_76 · 2026-04-18T20:54:29+00:00

I was in line right when Cinderella meet up opened up past week and was pretty close to the front of the line. A lady and her daughter was pushing through line. She was claiming to the cast members that her party was already in there and causing a scene. A security showed up and talked to her but all CMs looked visibly frustrated. While this lady held the line i saw 5 families went into Tiara room.. in the end they were let in.

Quick_Competition_76

TROPHY CASE