"JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote in message
>
>
> What your household income? I wonder if that number somehow factors into
> this, as crazy as that sounds.

Of course, income is a factor, but chosen lifestyle is important also. My
wife has only worked for brief periods so we pretty much only had my income.
There were many a night of overtime and doing side jobs too back then. I
do OK, but I'm not wealthy. We made raising our children with a parent at
home a priority over taking a cruise, having two fancy cars, eating at the
best of restaurants every week.

Some two income families struggle to maintain the basics of food and
shelter. They are generally on the bottom half of the median income.
Education level, chosen career, and a lot of other factors come into play.
Others with dual six figure incomes complain what a struggle it is to
survive. Do you realize what it cost for the 10,000 mile service on the
Beemer? And the pool service raised their rates.

Then there are some that choose to work outside the house rather than stay
home with their kids. They pay a lot of money for day care, transportation,
(work related) clothing, etc. and are truly working for a buck or two an
hour when all expenses are tallied up. They'd rather have that career than
their kids, it seems.

Location can be a factor too, when it comes to the cost of housing. I've
been in my house for 26 years this month. Over those 26 years, my income
has risen above the cost of living, but the price of my house has gone up
even more. I'm not so sure I could afford to buy my house today. The house
I sold to buy this has easily doubled in value, my income is at least
triple, but this house is now valued over four times what I paid.