$55k is an above-average household income. Kids cost a lot more in time, energy, and flexibility than cash.

Among all the "Yeah, the 100,000+ salary doesn't quite cut it, I cannot afford kids" you're my hero. You started much earlier than I did (something I regret at times, when my eldest is 17 I'll be past 50..) and I love your trading skills further down this thread (website -> flight hours).

From one dad to another: I'm trying to provide the same. You're inspiring.

The average cost of raising a kid in America is $241,080. http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/14/pf/cost-children/

It would be pretty awesome to spend that amount. Spending far less my kids are fine. I traded out website work for flight training for son who has 55 flight hours and is going to the University of North Dakota to becomes flight controller. For my daughter she has had Russian language training for about five years now (one lesson a week). I wish I could spend more but at l think the key thing is to give kids a special skill for a career.

> families earning less than $61,590 a year in rural areas will spend the least, at $144k

Amazingly, rich people spend more than poorer people.