OK - I dont like to publish a number, but I consider we are average wage earners. We earn more than a lot of people, but less than a lot more.
What I dont get is that we dont have a huge mortgage, no other debts, I am constantly saying no to my kids - but we dont seem to have much left over.
We pay the bills with mine and live off his, so by the time we buy groceries, put petrol in the car - and just living, we dont smoke, or live extravagantly, but someone always needs something - it seems to disappear. DD goes to Catholic school, which is not free - but still

We will be getting our third set of braces at the end of the year at -6.5k each, so have been paying an orthodontist for the last 5years
My DD has a part time job - so buys all her own clothes - but my boys know not to even ask for $200 shoes (which everyone seems to have

) and all the other brands that teens wear. (we are well stocked since our trip, but thinking they might grow at some stage)
DD will be getting her licence soon, and I have had several people say "you will buy her a car wont you" - Is this the new standard?
and "umm - no!"
(maybe its all that insurance we're paying)