Who says that to 'live well' you have to have two new import cars in the driveway, and have a 'weekend place' somewhere? We live well, and don't have either of those things. We also don't eat out more than three times a month, including fast food. I like to cook, and don't mind doing. Besides, except for a couple of places that we like, I don't care much for restaurant food anyway! We have four kids, one of whom is in law school (he's getting loans), one is in grad school (has a fellowship now, but has loans from undergrad) one homeschooled, but attending Community college and graduates next year, and one in a private all boys school.
Most of our 'disposable' income has been for the kids' schooling for the last twenty years. We got them through high school, and after that, we co-signed loans, but they're paying them back. We told them that we wanted SOME money on which to retire, and we paid the bills up to college, so after that they're paying for it themselves!
Sir SuziQ makes a good income, but we're not rich my any stretch of the imagination, except of course if it belongs to a liberal Democrat, then we're positively ROLLING in the dough. ;o)
We also don't eat out more than three times a month, including fast food. I like to cook, and don't mind doing. Besides, except for a couple of places that we like, I don't care much for restaurant food anyway! >>>>
I eat out constantly, at some great NYC places, but I still like home cooking best !
It just tastes better.