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We were on track to retire comfortably by 55 without even trying very hard, 45-50 with some effort, without even FAANG money or any sudden jumps in income. Thre

We were on track to retire comfortably by 55 without even trying very hard, 45-50 with some effort, without even FAANG money or any sudden jumps in income. Three kids starting just before age 30 and now retirement ever is... iffy, and it's probably not going to be very comfortable if it does happen. They're really expensive. Mostly healthcare, child care, and housing (more space, but also need good schools, so pricier houses, unless you wanna pay for a good private school which is even more expensive). Probably food next, way under those three. Everything else negligible compared to those.

madengr 7y ago
Same boat. I’m 48 and could retire right this minute, but looming college expenses, and health insurance, are hanging by a chain on my ankle.
- jrs235 7y ago
  Wouldn't it make sense to "retire", start a business and teach your children how to take over and run it instead of worry and invest in their "education"? If it is profitable and succeeds they can get their education in whatever they wish without breaking your bank or going to college before they are sure what they enjoy.
koolba 7y ago
If you do a half decent job of raising your kids you’ve also diversified your retirement prospects.
bluGill 7y ago
Good schools are more about the parents than location. We opted our kid into the poorest school in the city: the one where many of the students speak Spanish at home so they made it a dual language immersion school. The school administrators were shocked when we said we didn't want to waste our time applying for the subsidized lunch program (It would probably be cheaper to give every kid a free lunch than process the paper work for those who qualify) Those poor kids are just like every other kid in the world - other than they lack money. Their parents love them, and the best for them. What they define as best might not match my definition, but they want the best for them. And my son is well on his way to a second language, something that will be useful - in our opinion.
- EugeneOZ 7y ago
  It depends on the city, hehe :) In my childhood kids from "bad" families would easily convince you that you're risking your kids every day they visit that school :) My parents were convinced when one of my schoolmates broke 4 fingers of his arm while was beating the face of my another schoolmate - half of my schoolmates had police records.

madengr 7y ago

Same boat. I’m 48 and could retire right this minute, but looming college expenses, and health insurance, are hanging by a chain on my ankle.

jrs235 7y ago
Wouldn't it make sense to "retire", start a business and teach your children how to take over and run it instead of worry and invest in their "education"? If it is profitable and succeeds they can get their education in whatever they wish without breaking your bank or going to college before they are sure what they enjoy.

koolba 7y ago

If you do a half decent job of raising your kids you’ve also diversified your retirement prospects.

bluGill 7y ago

Good schools are more about the parents than location. We opted our kid into the poorest school in the city: the one where many of the students speak Spanish at home so they made it a dual language immersion school. The school administrators were shocked when we said we didn't want to waste our time applying for the subsidized lunch program (It would probably be cheaper to give every kid a free lunch than process the paper work for those who qualify) Those poor kids are just like every other kid in the world - other than they lack money. Their parents love them, and the best for them. What they define as best might not match my definition, but they want the best for them. And my son is well on his way to a second language, something that will be useful - in our opinion.

EugeneOZ 7y ago
It depends on the city, hehe :) In my childhood kids from "bad" families would easily convince you that you're risking your kids every day they visit that school :) My parents were convinced when one of my schoolmates broke 4 fingers of his arm while was beating the face of my another schoolmate - half of my schoolmates had police records.