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My salary increased a good bit since my last update early in 2013, enjoying my job a lot more these days on top of being a father. It is much easier now to see myself working in current role well beyond age of 40. I spend a lot more money on myself while having a good time with family, my...

Hi DerKaiser, "Spending €50k per annum is far from frugal. You'd be able to knock at least €6k off that on the difference between dublin and country rents." -> I agree far from frugal, I assume €50k per annum in the long term with spending creeping upwards with children balanced out by lower...

Hi Brendan, Thanks for your comments. I think we both have realised (especially me) that we are in jobs we like, the "frugal lifestyle" does not feel so frugal to us (even though I said "hard saving") with our combined spending at ~€50000 a year (I guess it will creep upwards) allowing us...

Hi panindub, "plan as must as possible and assess the risks and when your ready make the jump" -> I think my jump will be very gradual, definitely will not drop the current job if thinks are looking risky. Will be small steps all the way if possible. Thanks for the 'mrmoneymustache' link, I...

Hi cashier, "It is a good time to make a start in looking for your dream home now that you have started a family" -> Yes, that is a sentence I have heard recently close to home :) "hope the little one is thriving!" -> So far, long may that continue.

Short update: One child now which has been truly great but also a learning experience. Not really any closer to getting serious about finding a location in the countryside, time passes so quickly. Still renting in the city for €1100 a month jointly. My wages have gone up in the last 2 years but...

Hi mammyof2, Thanks for the reply. Some negativity was fine with me as I was always a bit unsure of the plan, I am 35 now with one child and 40 years old seems close. The assumption was that my wife will work 2 or 3 days a week as she does currently, she still likes that idea until later in...

Hi Lamorna, Thanks for the comments. Working through college was tough at times alright. It is true that medical costs could be much higher in the future than I expect now while in good health. I like the idea of physical work currently but it could be very different in 20 years time for sure...

Hello SPC100, I have calmed down a bit since but still have the same plan for now. Adding gradually to our investments and pension, keeping an eye on land prices and getting some experience when we can with that lifestyle via relations. Some of our expenses have dropped like rent since the...

mtk, I have a plan after downshift for ~€20k income with part-time work but all could change in the next 8 years. My wife would like to continue working as now if possible, about two days a week in the office and rest at home, she enjoys it a lot. Imipwis, the idea of allotments is a nice...

Thanks Imipwis for the tip about 'Trading Places', got it from the library now and enjoying so far. Also interesting daft.ie link and details about the auction. My wife insists she would want to keep working and has some flexabilty about times and tele-working options for parts of week, I agree...

deadlyduck: I will try and give a simple overview later in week about current savings over a year. There are some other factors that boost things further for me: - I can add around 10% of pay to pension plus 20% AVC each year, maxing this out for 2008 and 2009. - Certain percentage of pay can...

Thanks Yaffle, I used to spend parts of summer on a farm when I was young and very good memories. I will continue to aim for next stage anyway and buy somewhere with a bit of land in a few years and gradually explore what is possible with the growing nest egg as back-up.

Thanks cancan. I guess the answer is that it is possible to do this but tough and would of course not suit everybody. Maybe I will play around with the numbers and see how working for a few more years as now past 40 looks. I know I would be happy with the lifestyle but wouldn't want rest of...

Thanks Complainer, I do welcome you adding doubts as I have a few myself. It is the cost of kids that I am most unsure about. I come from a small family and there didn't seem to be very big expenses when we grew up (I am sure my parents felt differently at times that I cannot remember). As...

Thanks for the responses. My guess about expected standard of living is equivalent of €60k in today's money for family spendings each year. This would take into account additional expenses of 2 children and also being nearly self-sufficient (nothing too extreme) and paying less in remaining...

Age: 32 Spouse’s/Partner's age: 34 Annual gross income from employment or profession: 75000 Type of employment: Private sector, IT Annual gross income of spouse: 35000 Type of employment: Self-employed (mostly flexible hours) In general are you: (a) spending more than you...