I don't know - as Clinton would say, "Define 'need''" I feel we live in an average neighborhood and maintain an average lifestyle but I am sure to some the lifestyle we lead is extravagant and to others, paltry.
I'd say benefits are the huge wildcard on the table right now. I am self-employed and for a family of 5, I"d imagine the monthly premium would exceed $1200, if not $1600 to match the level of benefit she has. Her benefit plan is beautiful - we get dental.
I can almost match that by picking up weekends (and getting extra pay) as I said (it might be a slightly less benefit plan) but it means lonely weekends for her or where I am sleeping in bed from working an overnight.
That's fine by me. I remember one poster on another forum once said society would be much better if we left women to do what they do best (homemaking) and men providing (I think it was a Catholic forum so don't judge the conservative sentiment too harshly, lol). Sometimes I agree with that sentiment. I am happiest when I am working.
But I know with this kind of schedule, I will miss little league baseball games and stuff. I'd be willing to make the sacrafice. . .and stand willing. . .but I don't know. . .years ago that kind of sacrafice didn't bother me. As I get older, I guess I want to see those little league games more and more.
As far as college, I stand willing to do what I did before. . .I am worried that retirement might get sacraficed.
I guess what we perceive as a gain (another child), we are a mourning a loss right now - we were just getting ahead and able to enjoy some of those things we "delayed gratified."
I know we tend to advise each other: "Enjoy them while they're young" but the counterarguement to that is, "You have to make hay while the sun is shining." I am not going to be able to work 60 hour weeks when I am 60 years old.
Oh well - boo hoo for us, right? The important thing is we all have our health and that the baby will be healthy.
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