How much money do clinical neurologists make annually?

How much money should I aim to make annually if I want a family?

• I plan to be an english teacher and I expect my husband to be working as well. I plan for two children and I want to be able to support them happily. I hope to live quite comfortably. I've grown up in a poor home and I have no idea what it's like to live comfortably anyways. How much annually would my spouse and I have to make to live this kind of lifestyle?

• Answer:

  Average cost to raise a child to age 18 is $200,000. For college, average cost for 4-year degree is $250,000. So you'll need over $200/week per child just for kid needs, plus start saving & investing $200/month per child from birth for future college costs. At today's costs. Real inflation rate is 11% at present and has been rising pretty steadily for the past 2-3 years. For 2 kids, you are already looking at roughly $25,000/yr after tax to provide for kids' needs (not wants). Location? Small south or midwest town or Manhattan, to get extreme about it. Median house price remains nearly $200,000 nationwide, and in some markets, you need at least $500,000 for a ratty old little fixer. A million (or two) dollar house is only modest middle class home in some areas - the kind of house which cost $30,000 about 30-35 yrs ago. In fact, it's the same 30-35 yr old house that did cost $30k new way back then. Maybe it has new carpet and appliances by now. If you and hubby earn less than $100,000 a year, you & one child will have to make some serious sacrifices. Or live in some low-cost area where there are no jobs paying $100k. Taxes are going crazy, already taking about half a married couple's income. Property taxes in some areas are doubling or tripling overnight. Cities/towns, counties, states, and the feds are all broke and looking to weasel more out of your pocket. That $100k sounds good, but it leaves you maybe $4000 a month to live on - rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, household & personal expenses, household repairs, car & insurance, health insurance. That's before you have any kids or try to take a vacation. No wonder the average household is in debt to the tune of a year's earnings, excluding their mortgage.