How much money do you have on the edge?

Yosan, I think there is nothing wrong with that. It was actually similar for us. I had both children during my studies, so my studies took longer than my husband's. But despite everything, we always saved a bit and were therefore able to (just barely) buy the house. I think we did everything right.

Nevertheless, I would feel more comfortable if we... let’s say had 3-6 salaries saved up.

Then read your numbers properly again with an upright posture and a smile on your face

Oh, I am also satisfied the way it is. As I said, things could really be worse for us! All good.

It looks roughly like this for us.

Now that my wife's civil servant status is finally confirmed, we have a net income of about €6600 together. Our rate is €1300. However, I also want to transfer €400 every month to the [baukonto] to make special repayments. Thus, with €300 in incidental costs, our burden is about €2000. We should be able to manage well with the remaining €4600 to treat ourselves to a few things and not have to watch every euro.

Otherwise, our reserves are pretty much used up. As always with construction, a small amount was added somewhere. Every little bit counts in the end.

I currently also have very little, maybe 100-200€ in savings per month.

The special repayment comes from bonus payments, Christmas bonus, etc. Vacation pay is only used for vacation and what is left flows into the special repayment pot at the end.

1600€ installment on 3500€ net sole earner since the wife is currently on parental leave, maybe 1000€ at most goes into the household budget (child benefit, parental allowance, etc.).

Plus, once the application is approved, [Baukindergeld] 3x1200 / year.

Since I repair my cars myself and can also do quite a bit around the house myself, my expenses in these areas are significantly reduced. Driving with autogas also keeps fuel costs accordingly low. I have no expensive hobbies, and neither does my wife.

In the accounts about 1-2 months' salary, in the house account every month +160€, so also around 4K, in the savings account about 15-20k

It doesn't make any sense to leave 3 salaries sitting in the checking account with a 10k monthly income. The washing machine costs still only 1k. I think you have to differentiate according to income size. I think 10k as a reserve should be enough for everyone.

Now I see where these different standards come from... I would never spend 1k on a washing machine, it usually settles at 500-600€, depending on the offer.