Our family of 4 is living on $30k a year (GROSS), and believe me it's no picnic! Despite having finished college (twice) and working full time, the "average" American job just isn't paying enough to support the "average" American family these days.

I'd love to see my elected representatives try to make do off what I take home. I bet they'd vote differently.

Julkie, It seems to me that you are not putting our college education to good use, or you chose the wrong majors in college. Two college degrees and you are making less than 30K a year. Something is wrong with that.

What's wrong with it is that there's no damn jobs. No matter what your degree.

All of America's GDP is being hijacked by the top 1% and sent overseas by corporations. None left for the rest of us, despite the fact that it's OUR productivity that's earning it.

That's no big deal. Our houshold income is only $28,000 for a family of five and we have a 1st and 2nd mortgage payment (small house), 3 credit cards (low balances), and health insurance (high deductibles). Fortunately our family also likes the same games and we have a great time together playing card games and renting a redbox game every now and then. We like to splurge on eating at a slow food restaurant once a month. We are able to save a little bit each month by hanging our cloths up to dry instead of running the drying (even in winter we hang up cloths in the house and point a fan on them), also we only buy generic stuff like Davis in the article and furthermore you can usually find what you need very cheaply as used items from craigslist or places like Goodwill. I think we could even live on 15K if we REALLY had to. So I think it just depends on your will power and not being greedy, ie, being able to be happy with less. For example I was able to save a whole lot last year by not traveling for our vacation and just staying at home playing games with the family. I think we need to focus on indivudal greed instead of corporate greed too, since there is nothing we can do about corporate greed.

Oh my bleeding heart. After marriage, you should be financially stable before even considering having kids. If not, then don't expect people to sympathize with you. Learn to live within your means and stop wasting money eating out and on video games for the kids. The parks are free and your kids can get some good exercise as well that way instead of sitting on their azzes playing video games.

It's time for you to learn to plan ahead, and learn to be a bit more frugal when it comes to spending money.

Anybody can say anything or fudge the numbers or leave out important information to make it seem like poor people who complain are just greedy envious whiners. I'm sure everyone is always completely forthcoming and not trying to paint any kind of picture here. If it is all rosy then why does this guy have ANY credit card debt? Would it be smarter to have 0 credit debt and have some savings cash reserves? he claims to have savings, but chooses to pay interest on credit cards? You could save more money by paying off the cards than you will get in any savings account right now. Frankly I don't believe even half of the text on this page.

I made at least 50 times the median income this past year...life is splendid. If you have an IQ of under 140, you really have no chance to make the big bucks in the new economy unless you inherit a fortune or win the lottery.

I made eight trillion, have fifteen advanced degrees and an IQ of 270. So, there.

I think it is funny that everyone is talking about how they make it on $50k while overlooking that he is in the military and therefore receives housing benefits. With dependants it can be $2,000 per month, which it probably is with a $50k pay. That makes a huge difference. He mentioned it gently, but did not really address it. Plus, they have full medical and the benefit of the commissary. I realize they are not living high, but in today's military world it is not as stringent as when alot of us were enrolled. They also do not have the same struggles as the typical American family of 6 living on $50k. I would love to hear how one of them in the Northeast sector of the US are doing it!

Julkie

I suggest you go to North Dakota or Alabama. They have lots of work in those States.

benefit of the commissary

It's what I like rotten fruit and maggots on the shelves.

With dependants it can be $2,000 per month, which it probably is with a $50k pay.

It al depends on his rank which it does not say here an E-6 gets 2,300 for off post housing. we also get 900 Cola for the high cost of living in this area. how ever in Georgia we did not get cola and we got only 1400 for off post housing. in GA we lived off post housing Our take home pay was 50200 a year now we live on post and take home 40K with the 900 a month cola. I have cut my soda because it is $7 for a 12 pack. Now I have a job that is easy for me to move with You can get hired in hours any where in the country you go. So our full take home is over 6200. Sadly my take home has added another 400 a month child care payments (for a total of 1300).

The only big down side is the deployments of 12 months That adds its own stress.

I think it is funny that everyone is talking about how they make it on $50k while overlooking that he is in the military and therefore receives housing benefits. With dependants it can be $2,000 per month, which it probably is with a $50k pay. That makes a huge difference. He mentioned it gently, but did not really address it. Plus, they have full medical and the benefit of the commissary. I realize they are not living high, but in today's military world it is not as stringent as when alot of us were enrolled. They also do not have the same struggles as the typical American family of 6 living on $50k. I would love to hear how one of them in the Northeast sector of the US are doing it!

Im pretty sure his housing "benefits" is included in that 50k. When I tell people how much we make a year, I include the money we get for housing. Housing "benefits" is based on where you live, and what rate you are. It has nothing to do with having dependents. I highly doubt he gets anywhere near 2000 a month. My husband is an E-6 and we get about 1100 I believe, and thats near Seattle. (Higher cost of living than Utah, so we probably get more than he would as an E-6 in Utah)
Full medical is a plus, Ill give you that one...
Benefit of the commissary? Have you ever gotten food from the commissary? Everytime I get produce, I end up with fruit flies less than 2 days later. By then, the produce is already rotten and/or moldy. Thats after picking what looked like the freshest they had. Milk goes sour within 2days of opening even though the SELL BY date is still almost 2wks out. Eggs are bloody. Meat and fish is rotten and smelling up the house in less than 24hrs of buying... Boxed foods have bugs... I havent had issues with canned stuff yet, but I dont want to risk botulism... I dont shop at the commissary anymore. Saving a couple bucks doesnt do any good when you just have to replace everything 2days later.
We make more than 50k a year (not by much, and yes, that includes housing, because that is our pay, and we NEED that much more so we can actually live fairly decently) and we live near Seattle which has a similar cost of living as most of New England. We struggle. We can pay our bills, and feed our kids, but it is getting harder to do with the increase in food prices. We dont eat out except for special occasions. We dont do fast food. We dont buy all the new video games. We are making it, but if we lived in a cheaper area (like Utah) we would be doing much better.

its really not as difficult as people make it sound.... i have two brothers and two sisters, my dad was the only one making income at a factory job clearing less than 40,000 dollars a year.... before you start seeing the way other people lived i would have never thought i went without in my younger days... people need to learn what it is to live within your means and not get caught up into the new coming outs and must haves and learn what it is to be a family and not another bill

Dan,

Why? What in this entire story makes you think this family does not live on $50k a year? The amount of debt has not been disclosed for any family in this series and it doesn't have to because the series is about how a family is living on $50k a year. They can have 3 mortgages, 5 credit cards, 2 car notes and whatever else and still live on $50k a year.

The point of the story was that they are able to do it. This is Utah and they lived in their old house for over 10 years (who does that anymore?). They could of had a 15 year mortgage and paid it off in 10 or they could have paid it down so much that now they can buy a newer house (not a new house), rent out their other one (they probably will get way more rental income than what their current mortgage payment on it) and have some left over to put towards their new mortgage. They could have 2 credit cards with a total of $1000 between the both of them and they could have a HELOC that still has the majority of the credit limit available so they don't have to pay pretty much anything on the line.

I know that it may upset you that this family of 6 has made the effort to live as close to within their means as possible and still sound happy. Living within your means does not mean having absolutly no debt.....it means that should something goes wrong (like maybe a layoff-but remember he's in the miliatry) you are not so far in debt you will not end up losing your home, car, etc. within a few months. From the story this family; lives within their means, saves some money, hold a little bit of debt. They are not perfect.....but at least they are trying.

You sound like someone who doesn't have the fortitude to reign in your bad habits as a single individual and upset that a family of 6 are.

Dan is right. This story is so vague as to the details, it is only logical to assume this family is NOT making it on 50k. Besides the fact they mention they go out to eat and buy video games...this sounds like half the people I've talked to that say they are getting by just fine eating out and raising 3 kids and then a few months later you find their house is getting foreclosed on.

I'm sorry, but there is just no way they are doing just fine, this story is BS. You CAN live on 50k, but you have to never go out to eat, not spend any money on extra entertainment items, and budget your food very carefully so that you are making some very inexpensive meals a couple times a week (beans, rice, flour items etc). But this article implies this family is living just like the rest of those who end up forced to file bankruptcy or lose their house...

I think Dan's point was that he's making $50K per year, but if they have two mortgages, credit card debt and a home equity line of credit, they're really 'living' on a lot more by borrowing. It would appear a greater than normal portion of his income is going to pay off debt each month. So I think Dan was trying to say they may not be that much different than the Federal government (debt and deficit are two different things).

I guess I also thought there might be more money-saving tips given within the story. Video games, going out to eat and "cigars"? Doesn't sound like they have cut back all that much. I have to wonder how they can afford a 2nd house. The article raises more questions than gives answers.

They also rent out that first house, which we don't know how much they are renting it out for. He also probably has better health insurance and pays less for it. This article is not very thorough. I really don't buy it either. Going out to eat with a family of 6 isn't cheap either, even at fast food. Maybe he claims a higher # of dependents to get less taken out of his checks.

The guy works in the military. Do you know how many perks are available to an active military member from the good ole' US of A? College for his kid (GI Bill), two homes (VA loans-partially subsidised housing) and not to mention good health insurance through the military (TRICARE). And let's not forget shopping for food and necessities on the base at much lower prices then the real outside world. So yes, it's conceivable he could make it on $50k a year with a little help from Uncle Sam.

Totally agree with you Dan. This article has no merit as written and is misleading. For one, don't lets forget that this guy has many free things and additional benefits through the Military, that includes housing $$$ per month.

So folks, lets get real here, if this guy would not be in the Military, his life would be miserable because he is the typical example of how NOT to do it. A house equity loan - wow, about the dumbest thing to get and to pay on. Two homes. Hmm, lets think about that. With the income at hand, what type of homes might that be?, and I am not knocking the fact here but, lets have a reality check - repeat reality!

I think this was just pure bragging about nothing and an insult to the reader, Allison.

Go back and re-read the article, it says he had lived in his current house for 10 years and he recently bought a second larger house that he's going to be moving his family into and will rent out their current house. If he's planned right, then the rent on his current house will continue to pay down it's mortgage and if it rents for enough, maybe even some of the mortgage on his second house that his family will be moving into. It's how we've all gotten ahead at one time or another.

I have to wonder how they can afford a 2nd house.

The article is a bit poorly written. But, I think this means not that they have two houses currently, but that they sold their first house and bought their second house. I.e., 'second' is used in a temporal sense rather than cardinal sense.

the fact they mention they go out to eat and buy video games...

So I can buy a used game for pretty cheap We just bought our first TV and payed more then we wanted ($240).I buy about two to three books a month(about .99-4.90 each) When we go out we get one dish and shear it and the kids shear theirs (we tip about 30%) We looked into buying a house in GA and we would pay about $600 a month with out a VA loan(it would have been a higher interest rate)Our rent down the street of the house we loooked at was $1275 for the same size place.

The guy works in the military. Do you know how many perks are available to an active military member from the good ole' US of A? College for his kid (GI Bill), two homes (VA loans-partially subsidised housing) and not to mention good health insurance through the military (TRICARE). And let's not forget shopping for food and necessities on the base at much lower prices then the real outside world. So yes, it's conceivable he could make it on $50k a year with a little help from Uncle Sam.

2 homes is not a perk of the military. Our housing allowance doesnt even cover the cost of 1 (I include the housing allowance in with our gross income like all military, because without it, we wouldn't be able to even afford a house with the crappy pay)
Food and necessities on base aren't that much lower than in the (real outside world) and its @!$%#ty quality. We dont buy anything on base anymore because it doesnt even last 2 days (Not even always 24hrs) You obviously dont know what it is like to be a member of the military, so you really dont have much room to talk.

That's a valid point. I don't know that the medical coverage is as good as it used to be these days.

I will say that I have an older brother with a wife and 3 children still living at home and he has gotten by on a remarkable little amount of money. His kids were fed clothed and had most all the creature comforts one would expect. They cooked most every meal. Purchased unprepared foods. When items at the house broke they did something very novel and REPAIRED them instead of replacing them. They had a nice TV, the kids had an x-box and games if not the newest one to hit the shelves. Their cars were very modest. They drove them until they basically fell apart instead of a new one every few years.

The fact of the matter is some people can afford to waste money. Some people can live on well with what they make if they don't waste money. Some and I personally think this is a large minority can not make enough to live. The biggest problem is the last group that can live well if they didn't waste money but waste money anyway. I define wasting money as spending money you don't really have to. I.E. eating out instead of eating in, buying expensive clothes instead of good cheaper and maybe less fashionable clothing, buying nice fancy cars you don't need but want, buying a larger nicer house than you need, throwing away household goods because they are broken when it's cheaper to repair them and make them as good as new, buying fancy gadgets you want but don't really need, buying services you want but don't need like cable beyond basic or extended basic (Or even over the air for that matter.), basic high speed internet instead of the higher tier throughputs, unlimited data plans for each cell phone for everyone in your family, etc.

Everyone runs around with gadgets they can't 'live' without, but the truth of the matter is they can. People just don't want to. The vast majority of people in the US are greedy in a lot of ways. Most of those people would deny they are greedy. For the most part we are the people we hate but refuse to see it.

Everyone has the opportunity to enter the military and take advantage of the 'benefits'. Most choose not to. Doesn't mean you should be critical of those who do.

I don't think that Big Thunder's comments are critical of those that do join the military (and I am a former military person as well), but using this article to compare living on $50k a year while in the military versus $50k in the civilian population is a case of apples and oranges. I remember when I got married in the military and had to live in town (no base housing available), the gov't pays you food money, housing money, money for uniform maintenance, in addition to your base pay at whatever rank you are. As Thunder mentioned, the PX/Commissary system on bases is excellent, you can save money there as well. Also, medical/dental visits, prescriptions, etc. are better than in a civilian environment. So I can say, as I have lived it, that this article is apples and oranges.

I agree, this is not a typical comparison. Military personnel do receive added perks for health care, shopping, and etc., but they are also frugal with what they do have. This family is not typical, but this family I am sure has been through many hardships. Us civilians do not typically have to live for years at a time without the husband and father in the home. The wife and mother of this family has done what she has had to do with what she was given. Her husband fought for our country to keep us civilians safe, and if that means we pay for medical, offer less expensive items on base, and so forth I am all for it. We complain about the niceties that military families have, but we are the ones that have our husbands and fathers home. Their children and wives have to make sacrifices everyday, that not many of us are willing to make. There are so many families this day and age that separate because of the other parent being gone from the home too long because of work, but when you are in the military you know what you are getting into, you know the sacrifices that you have to make, but when it comes time to actually make the sacrifice, they question why they did it. Many husbands and fathers do not come home, and then the family has to struggle even more. I think this country needs to be a little more compassionate to the families of military personnel. Children without fathers not by choice is hard, being a widow at a very young age is hard to, so if they have their medical, groceries, and other items given or reduce priced then so be it. THEY HAVE EARNED IT!!

Andrew - you're absolutley right! The family in this story is not typical of many people in America today. I assume that the $50K is a total of his pay (base, allowances, etc) not including medical & health care costs? I was able to do well at a lower rank than him ( I assume at 39 he's in the Mid/Jr to Senior ranks). Plus, has this family LIVED in the same house for 10 years? So there has not been a move to recover from.

And on the subject of debt, of course they're not going to be over-extended as the military holds it's members (esp leadership to) to a higher standard to lead by example. Debt is something not tolerated. And yes, through various methods, people are "put out" for having too much debt.

Not everyone can join the military. The Army has standards, thankfully, and at a certain point they have an age limit. Also, not everyone is fit enough.

That said, there are still many who could but don't because it never occurs to them. Most of our military recruits these days come from lower income brackets and people in the south and west. In many parts of the country there is no longer a family tradition of military service.

As far as this couple doing alright on 50K a year - the first thought I had is that their medical coverage and expenses are significantly lower than for most people because the military benefit is quite nice. Chances are this guy is also an officer, with a college degree, meaning he might be making more in the public sector in a similar position.

Two points:

First, most of our enlisted do not come from the lower income brackets. Poor neighborhoods dont produce enough high school graduates and persons wihthout crimminal background to be significant sources of manpower in our current force.

Second, the person in this article is not an officer. At 39 earning $50k he's probably a middle grade NCO. An officer at 39 is at minimum a senior Captain earning $75k, not including allowances. Plus, if the article was about an officer, he would have moved 5 times in 10 years, not homesteaded in one spot.

1st of all, did it ever say that 50K was the amount BEFORE taxes? Second, military pays for healthcare. Third, the cost of living is different in Austin, TX than it is in other parts of the country. Who pays $400/month for utilities? Our utility costs are under 200 (of course, I live in a different area than you). You can't possibly know how much they spend on gas. He said he has a compact car and may live within a couple miles of work, meaning he could fill up twice a month or less. Also, his car could very possibly be paid off, as he didn't mention it in his list of debts. Just because you couldn't make it work on 50K doesn't mean this family can't.

His take home pay may be greater being in the military based on taxes taken out, military pension, smaller mortg. lesser utilities, car payment, etc.

I for one don't pay that much on a car payment. The food from a military shop would come out much cheaper than 600 a mth.

"Something does not add up here" Your right Jeff. This is marketing propaganda at it's finest! Shame on msnbc for not listing all the "benefits" they receive for being in the "military"! Big media has and continues to play a role in the dubbing down of the general public.

If you read the article Jeff - he states that he doesn't have an SUV, but a compact car, I"m guessing it's not new, so right there, your $500 car payment and $150 gas cost is overboard. No one should be making a $500 a month car payment anyway.. as you stated yourself, you have 2 "nice cars"... maybe that's one of the problems as to why you are stuggling to make it, and unbelieving of those who say they can. My husband and I are fortunate enough to make a pretty decent living, even living in a rather expensive part of the country... and one of the reasons we aren't in trouble while others are is that we don't buy into the myth of driving something above our means.. my car is 10 years old, his is over 6. So get over yourself.

There is no way that at $50,000.00 you are paying nearly $14,000.00 a year in taxes. That is nearly 30% in taxes. My family of six(4 boys ages 16-6) have been living on a little over than $60,000.00 for almost 2 years. We have things, but we have also made changes that have actually benefited our financial situation.

I take home $5200.00 per month

Here's the Math

Mortgage: 950.00

Utilites: 550.00

Car Payments: 350.00

Insurance: 700.00

Fuel: 600.00

Credit Cards: 300.00

Food: 800.00

Entertainment: 200.00

Savings: 500.00

Rainy Day: 250.00

Total: 5200.00

Until 2 years ago we were making upwards of $100,000.00, we lost half our income, it was devestating at first, but we took a step back, looked and things, created a valuable budget and have still managed to come ahead of many because of our frugality. It is not that hard to do if you budget, save, and prioritize. It takes practice, determination, and drive. You have to want to be ahead, you have to live within your means, and not overspend on things that are not necessary. We still manage to save, my kids still play sports, and we still go on vacation. We have managed over the last 2 years to save $12,000.00. This is used for vacations, school clothes, auto repairs, and home repairs. This is not including the savings we have for the 10 years before my husbands unemployment. We have also managed to create a rainy day fund. This is an extra savings that we use for birthdays, and Christmas, or special things that occur in our lives.

The United States has become a money hungry people. Everyone wants a piece of the pie, but no one wants to do their part to get a piece of the pie. Everyone is looking for a handout, for an easy way out. This country has become very lazy, and then we whine and complain when someone has more than us, or we over extend our finances to be like everyone else. If everyone did their part, worked hard, and stayed within their means we would be a much more prosperous country and people.

Where do you get your numbers from? Who said they eat up $600/month in food? Food costs are different depending on where you live. My family of 3 lives on close to that much per month - so it's possible.

Anybody can live on that amount if they budget wisely and stay out of debt. Not accounting for the cost of living in a particular area, it can be done easily. The family just won't have the latest and greatest of everything.

Daughter, Jeff said $30,000 would be left after taxes and health insurance, which sounds reasonable to me.

I once added up the taxes we pay (payroll taxes, state, local, property, sales, etc.) and, on less than the median income, we pay about $12,000 in taxes.

Our take home pay is about $3420 a month.

Ok. So let's take the $500 car payment away. Let's add in $200 for dining out, $500 month college tuition, books and fees for his oldest child. How about, let's buy some clothes once a month? Let's add in $100. How about savings? $200? How about entertainment? $100? Credit card payments? $100? Line of credit payments? $100? Look...I'm not complaining about the family. God bless them. The guy is in the military and deserves our gratitude. I just think the article is written in a way that makes it sound like $50k per year for a family of 6 is a comfortable living. I just beg to differ. Could we live on that amount? Sure, if we sold our house, our cars, rented a small apartment, got rid of our cell phones, did not dine out at all, did not buy any new clothes during the month, etc., etc., etc. You get the idea. My wife and I live a very comfortable life. We have been truly blessed because we went to school, got educated and work our butts off. I do not believe America has become a bunch of lazy whiners. I still believe if you go to school, study, become educated and find what you are passionate about, you can be successful. Financially speaking, yes, it's about what you keep, not so much what you make. But, do not tell me that $50k per year is comfortable living for a family of 6.

Sunshyn24: I never said we were struggling to make it. Also, $500 per month is for 2 cars, not 1. We drive "nice" cars, not mercedes or lexus or bmw. We live very well within our means. We do not drive cars above our means. As a matter of fact, if you must know, we both drive Toyotal Prius's. "Nice" cars that are extremely economical on a monthly basis in regards to fuel. I just get a little fed up with articles like this that try to make it sound like families making more than $50k or $75k or even $100k per year are wealthy. If you live in a decent area, with nice schools and want to send you kids to college, these levels of income are not extravagant.

I don't know what you pay per a kilowatt of electricity, MCF for natural gas, but my family of four in Kentucky paid $2,132 for gas, water & electricity on a 2,900 square foot house (includes the basement). And it would be lower if I insulated the limestone foundation walls in the basement.

Here is our take home with the 900 cola

pay 6200(combined)

rent =0 on post(rent off post is about 2400-3000 for a three bedroom)

Food= 300 (Shop at Costco cheaper than the commissary)

power= 0 on post (we are below the power allotment)

Cable,Internet =120

insurance= 1200 every 6 months

cards=0

cars=0

child care=1321

fuel=300

phone =110

dental=20

tools=180

A scratch and dent store is cheaper than the PX, Costco is cheaper than the Commissary and every place has better quality of food.

Six years ago before I was married I earned

1800-2400 a month take home

insurance was =200 Never went to the doctor

other insurance =100

car insurance =50 a month

rent =800 smallest apartment in DC

tools= 400

food was= 100

car =0

cable, Internet=0

The tradeoff for those benefits, of course, is the fact that you may not live to fully enjoy them. Worse, you could end up in a VA landfill.

They definitely don't live on base since they're renting out their previous home and "just bought" a new home. You can't rent out or buy base housing.

Bedella,

Thanks for clearing that up. I have one child in college and I make 70K a year and it's hard for me. However, I'm not the most discipline person in terms of impulsive spending.

rkb, do you base all of your information about groups of people on articles you read occasionally? Yes, some military wives work outside the home. I do. Honestly...

Allie, if that's a rhetorical question, i'll let u answer that one.

Because they recieve tution, free medical, seperation pay, food subsidies, and many other benifits that the cost of living for military personal is 15th what it is for a non military. I know, I was 10 years in the army.

Some military spouses do, but it's hard to have much of a career when you have to move every few years. The smart ones get jobs in fields that are common on bases.

fatibel (army contractor)

Not all of us are suffering. Some are living in excess, some very well; others are living quite comfortably; others are surviving with the help of public assistance; the rest are the ones that fall through the cracks because of various issues. With all the help and opportunities available, nobody in the USA should be living like those in "third world" countries. Just ask those in Haiti who have said they have had to eat dirt to live.

Robert is dead on. Once you add in health care costs, housing allowance (which isn't taxed), and all the other COLA stuff the military gets, this family is living on way more than $50K a year. They can shop at the exchange and commissary without paying sales tax on already much lower prices plus they probably got a VA loan with a really good rate for their mortgage. Add all that to what is probably a well below average cost of living (for housing) in their area and it's just not a fair comparison. The only thing they are really paying full price for is fuel, which if he works on a big base, he can probably buy that on base as well. My husband is a reservist who works full-time as a civilian for his unit and when he is on military orders he brings home A LOT more money doing the exact same job. I do think the military deserves all the benefits they get but to hold these folks up as some kind of example for civilians of what you can really live on isn't quite right.

I can not help but notice how much praise there is for military benefits. If this is so, why can't we find a way for everyone to have the same benefits? More taxes, yes, but it would more than pay off. How much do most people pay for taxes and healthcare combined? If you honestly look at all the taxes (federal, state, local, sales, property) as well as the cost of healthcare (insurance, copays, out of pocket), I bet many will find that 1/2 or more of their income goes to taxes and healthcare.

Because everyone won't work.

Sorry to here how bad your friends are doing.

You need new friends.

I'm glad you said it! So many people seem so upset that these people seem to be doing just fine. I love the way some have broken down the budget assuming what this family is paying for everything. Did any of them think about the fact that maybe the first house was bought with a substantial down payment? Not everyone buys a house with 5% or 10% down. Some of us saved up (or inherited) money and bought a house that lets us have a $500 or less mortgage.

i agree about california, but there are plenty of places in addition to utah where this is possible. ----- if you choose to live somewhere where the cost of living exceeds your income potential, whose fault is that ??

,,,and someone's forcing you to live in CA?

It would be a stretch in the metro areas of the Bay area. We (family of four) live an hour and a half north of the Bay and live comfortably on under 40k a year. And that is on a single income.