<prompt> Human: Budget in a Nutshell for lowmid 30s, no more school married couple:Current savings: 15000 emergency fund in a bank promo savings acct 9000 in a mutual fund non-IRA 2000 in i-bills should probably just convert 15000 in 401ks between the two 2k in checking Monthly Total takehome after 401k and HSA: 6000 1600mo may end at the end of the year unless contract is renewed or new jobMain Expenses Rent1210 Utilities0 Transportation90 Phone40 Total Savings and Giving Intermediate Term 1 income buffer1467 Baby550 Moving150 Professional dev.41 Furnishing new place250 Personal Healthcare150 Long term Retirement Traditional IRA250 School Loan Tax Bomb PAYE 35 Giving Charity45 Family500 Trips Airfare100 Lodging50 Fun and Relationships Flexible Anniversary Bday65 Gifts Christmas, birthdays, etc.20 Monthly Spend Dining Out220 Retail250 Groceries500  <response>: From what I see, I think youll be fine. There is no single cost to a baby child. In general, the more you make, the more you kids will cost, because children tend to live at your lifestyle. People who over spend will generally over spend on their kids. People who live below their means which you appear to will continue to do so. That wont change just because you have a kid. Youll make adjustments to your budget as you need too. Anyone who makes 72K a year take home, and blames their kids for their overspending, needs a reality check. They have a spending problem, not a kid problem. Now, if you want to know if you can maintain your current lifestyle. In the short term, it looks like yes. Child care will have the biggest hit to your finances. In most areas, plans on 1000 to 1500 a month for full time daycare. Youve got that covered because of your 1 income buffer. For other expenses, the 550 should cover clothes, diapers, etc..., provided you dont go wild.Long term, it gets hard to predict. Day care cost go down, but travel, eating out, after school lessons, etc... all get more expensive as kids grow up. Thats not even considering college, or private schools if thats part of your plan. 