Can we really afford this, and will the bank support it?

Those who work hard (and by that I don't mean purely physical work), are committed, somewhat clever and skillful, should be able to find a job again that comes close to the old salary.

That is a misconception and a fairly common thought among high earners. Precisely because they were able to climb the ladder of privileges early on, it seems as if everything is possible.

No one here has said that so extremely, because it would be downright stupid to neglect something.

Extremely exaggerated examples are also not helpful here and are far from any reality in the house building forum.

It is not that far off. With Nordanney’s method (buying apartments financed by loans with little equity and selling them profitably tax-free after 10 years), one could indeed achieve phenomenal returns over the last 15 years. You don’t have to mention René Benko, but with this method, the average person could certainly build substantial wealth. The question is whether this will still hold true under changing conditions in the future, and I am quite skeptical about that.

At the OP:

The topic is probably already being addressed.
The only problem when traveling is the limited vacation days. I, like you, could have more of those.

Nope, with us vacation days are no longer limited.
But with enough money, you can also afford a break when the children no longer need care.

This is a misconception and a quite common thought among high earners. Precisely because they were able to climb the ladder of privileges early on, it seems as if everything is possible.

Above all, one is not aware of the fall height and the fact that the air at the top is getting thinner. A nurse or a craftsman can find a new job at any time, even tomorrow. A "corporate civil servant," on the other hand, can search for a long time in the current situation. Of course, there are also sought-after exceptions now, and every well-paid job is different. The majority, however, have a hard time if they are involved in the next round of cutbacks tomorrow. You only notice it when it affects you personally. That is probably psychologically better as well.

No, with us the vacation days are no longer limited.

I envy you. I still have to wait a few years until the kids are old enough.

Above all, people are not aware of the height of the fall and the fact that the air gets thinner up there. A nurse or a tradesman can get a new job any time tomorrow. A "corporate official," on the other hand, can search for a long time in the current situation. Of course, there are also in-demand exceptions now, and every well-paid job is different. The broad mass, however, has a hard time if they are involved in the next downsizing program tomorrow. You only realize it when it hits you personally. Psychologically, that is probably better.

There are actually various statistics on this. For example, that the unemployment rate for academics is only about one-third to one-half of the general unemployment rate, or a study showing that the new job for highly paid specialists returns in about 3-6 months. I see it at least in our fields of finance, IT, compliance, reporting, and sales that colleagues can't pick their jobs, but headhunters are still constantly calling. Or we commission the headhunters ourselves. They are even bringing retirees back with immoral offers.