Family survive on $40-60k in Broward for one year? (school, groceries)

[namomof3]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

She asked about the nicer areas of Broward. I doubt there are that many people in Weston who are renting a 3 BR apartment, owning 2 cars (which she will need if the hubby works in Fort Lauderdale) with a couple of kids making $40K per year.

This is my family and it would not be possible on anything less than 60k IMO (3 bdm in Weston, 2 car payment are the killer for us)

[racechick8293]

$40k = not doable for a family of 5.
$60k = possibly doable. But, as others have said, cell phones and cable are out, and it would likely be a struggle to make ends meet.

[namomof3]

also consider how much of your income goes to credit debt? If you have no/minimal credit debt/student loans then it's definitly doable. Also don't underestimate the cost of children's activities/experiences. Just taking them out for an activity-- ex. museum, movies, zoo will put a family out $100 easy.

[formerfire]

Thanks nam...the aim is to come with no credit debt and enough money for one year. You are so right about kids expenses, its the same here, sneeze and you lose $100

[compelled to reply]

How old are the kids? Will there be a chance of increased income later on? There are many areas around Broward County that are more modest, not necessarily "top choice" but fine for elementary school aged kids and where living costs will be more reasonable for a large family on 40-60k, but moving out after 5th grade or finding magnet schools is a must. I will say that I live on about that income as a single person and feel very comfortable, but adding a family and children would make it a lot tighter.

[namomof3]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

How old are the kids? Will there be a chance of increased income later on? There are many areas around Broward County that are more modest, not necessarily "top choice" but fine for elementary school aged kids and where living costs will be more reasonable for a large family on 40-60k, but moving out after 5th grade or finding magnet schools is a must. I will say that I live on about that income as a single person and feel very comfortable, but adding a family and children would make it a lot tighter.

ahhh... to be single (LOL) nonetheless, did anyone mention Coral Springs? They had decent elementary schools and low crime when I was looking. The rent is a tad cheaper there.

[formerfire]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

How old are the kids? Will there be a chance of increased income later on? There are many areas around Broward County that are more modest, not necessarily "top choice" but fine for elementary school aged kids and where living costs will be more reasonable for a large family on 40-60k, but moving out after 5th grade or finding magnet schools is a must. I will say that I live on about that income as a single person and feel very comfortable, but adding a family and children would make it a lot tighter.

Hi compelled, yes there is an opportunity to increase income later on, but we are self funding for the first year, so need to make sure we find a good area that will still allow us to live ok. The kids are 10, 8 and 7 (going on 17!!!!).
I think its doable having read some of the posts, just have to make sure I don't pick 'millionaire suburb' i guess. We are prepared to live in an apartment for the first year if it is more affordable.

[granitelady]

I'm a single mom with a teenage son and my bare basic cost of living is 40k per year.
We don't have a house phone, only our cells, which costs $100 a month for both.
Satelite is a must with a teen! I have 300 chanels plus some foreign ones for $90 month (we're european) It was important to me to be in a good school district so I chose to sacrifice some luxuries in order to live in a better area.
There are ways of keeping it to a minimum and still have a descent life, but like I said it's just the two of us and it does cost me 40k a year to just make it.

[namomof3]

Does anyone else find groceries to be expensive out here? We eat alot of healthy foods but my gosh I spend AT LEAST $150/week on food for a family of 5 (2 kids take school lunch daily but husband eats out- trying to break that habit). With summer here I am sure I will be spendingeven more. How does your grocery bill compare and how do you keep it down?

[fauve]

Costco...we do almost all our shopping there (only a few odd things ((like sauerkraut)) we pick up at Publix)...some months we spend as little as $400 for family of 4. Because things are bought in bulk, you end up with a huge backlog of food. When we have parties and stuff (which lately has been frequently with the kids both off from school, birthday, a graduation, etc.), it has been running about $600. With the higher cost membership, we also get 3% back per year which comes close to covering the cost of membership.