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My wife and I have kids and live on a single income, and we're on track to retire in between ages 45 and 50.

We live in Ohio, and I suppose we would qualify as frugal and having cheap hobbies. But I certainly don't feel like we're missing out on a lot.

We also set aside over $1,000 a month for giving, with some of it going to various individuals and organizations automatically and some of it just waiting for when we see a need.

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You're not wrong, a family is more expensive. But if both parents pull the same (or similar) salary, it is enough to still retire at 45. Requires using more tax-advantaged plans to play for college, and may not work well in expensive cities.

Re: cheap hobbies, I used to date a public school teacher. She would save to go on guided trips to Antarctica, Peru, the Galapagos, New Zealand. You can live an amazing life if you plan for it.

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> non-working spouse

Does that mystical creature still exist? Or is it perhaps more likely if one of the pair has a high yield income?

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The median household income in the US is $83,730 [1] - half of households are on less than that.

If you earn $100k and are willing to have the median lifestyle, and you can find a spouse that's willing, then the numbers work just fine.

Challenges include lifestyle inflation; housing costs if your six-figure job is in an expensive area; and finding a partner who's willing to be put in what is often a vulnerable and low-status position.

[1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEHOINUSA672N

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I know multiple coworkers in their late 30s to mid 40s, none of their wives work.
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Not sure why this was downvoted; it doesn't say you shouldn't do all those things, only that they're no guarantee you'll be able to retire at 45.
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