Well, $2k is probably on the low side for bills and food. Transport: $1k+/mo, roughly: $250 to park your car at home, $250 at work, $350 car payment, insurance, gas, etc. Plus $100 for public transport for your partner, plus $80 for random taxi rides. Plus savings for maintenance. A family of 3-4 can easily spend $700 - $1000 on groceries. And we haven't discussed clothes, medical, school, etc, or any savings for a rainy day. Or entertainment; just to pick an example, movie tickets run $12 in the city so taking 3 people to the movies with a shared popcorn is $50, etc. Or $200 if you get a babysitter and just take two people out to a movie plus a modestly priced dinner.