Here's a recipe for living on one 'median' income: * Pay your cars off. * Get down to < $300 / month on food. * Stop eating out except on special occas

Here's a recipe for living on one 'median' income: * Pay your cars off. * Get down to < $300 / month on food. * Stop eating out except on special occasions. * Turn the thermostat up / down in summer / winter. * Cap mortgage or rent at $1000 / month. * Live close to work * Stop buying lots of crap you don't need. * Build some savings The key thing is, if you can manage on one income, a LOT of expenditure just melts away. Day care, gas for commuting to two jobs, much easier to eat at home, etc. etc.