How can we optimize our situation? Considering investing more, but don't know what to do.

Planning

So, on paper things look pretty good. But past that, I really have no idea what I'm doing and could really use some direction.

Completely debt free, no mortgage/own home (value $400k or so). Both 37yo. $140,000/yr gross income, $8,700/month net. 2 kids (2 and almost 8). Own 2 newish lower mileage cars.

Our spending per month:

  • Homeowner's, car, life insurance: $410.60
  • Utilities/phone/internet: $460 (average)
  • Childcare: $1,178/month (increases to $1,570 in the summer months)
  • Groceries: $650/month
  • Investments: Both max out Roth IRA ($1,250/month) and $1,000/month to a joint tenant investment account
  • Savings: $1,000/month to Ally HYSA
  • Property tax (saved throughout the year, and paid in lump sum each Jan) $430/month

So: total NEED to spend each month: $3,200-$3,600 (if absolutely nothing else comes up, but it inevitably does between maintenance, incidentals, entertainment, medical, meals out, dental, vision etc but this is all variable, maybe another $1k/month). Add the HYSA, Joint Tenant, and Roth contributions and that's another $3,250/month for a total of $6,450-$6,850/month. With our surplus we shovel it into our HYSA or find something to use it for.

Investments/assets:

  • My Roth: $180,500
  • Spouse's Roth: $55,000
  • My 401k (6% with 6% match): ~$95,000
  • Spouse's 401k (6% with 3% match): ~$80,000
  • Joint Tenant: $24,500
  • HYSA: $12,100

Are we optimizing this the best we can? We don't really have any expensive hobbies, maybe a new gaming console or tickets to something on occasion. I honestly feel like I have a spending problem in that we don't give ourselves permission to SPEND money, but we are getting there.

Big goals for the future in order of importance: 1. International travel 2x/year, once the 2yo is out of the 'meltdown on a plane' stage 2. Pay for children's college expenses and help with housing down payment (this is what the joint tenant is for). 3. Potentially upgrade our house to something worth $600-700k with some nicer amenities (not a necessity) 4. Retire 5 or 10 years early.

I know we could probably optimize the remaining ~$2k/month ($3k/month when youngest is out of daycare) but not sure on what. More into joint tenant? More into HYSA? Something in the middle? Any other advice for this situation to make the most of our finances?

Posted Apr 1, 2026, 8:35 PM UTC

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