Planned construction project 2016/2017

I would recommend not including the child benefit in the consideration. Otherwise, you also have to take into account the additional expenses for one child (or two), which are significantly higher than the child benefit, so your net position would actually be much worse.

Realistically, you should not calculate +184 EUR, but rather -184 EUR (just a rough estimate), minus income loss.

To summarize it again from my perspective: I think, overall, it should work (assuming realistic values for your expenses). What I and also my predecessors mean is that you should really deal with your income and expenses realistically. Of the €1,000 buffer that you are currently calculating, in the end, with a house and especially with children, definitely less will remain, maybe €500, but maybe only €300 or €400. Children cost money, childcare costs money, food and clothing are also needed for the smallest household members – so the objection from lastdrop regarding child benefits is quite justified. Nonetheless, it should be possible to pay off the house with the income. @TE: Regarding insurance, there are many threads here in the forum. Besides the building insurance, which is mandatory, I also think of disability insurance and term life insurance (especially with a family).

Oma und Opa sind doch da

Was that meant ironically? Having grandparents nearby is always good. Nonetheless, I did not want my children to be cared for by grandma and grandpa every day while we work. And the grandparents didn’t want that either. They should also have their own lives.

Yes, that was meant ironically - I am not in favor of letting the care be done mainly by them. Alone the lack of social factor already weighs heavily...

For exceptional cases it is great if the grandparents live nearby, otherwise they should not be planned in permanently.

Will be difficult for childless couples

Will be difficult for childless couples

Your comments are becoming more and more helpful

What do you want to hear? For each child, initially include about 300-400 euros/month in your calculations, then you'll have a reasonably good estimate.

It remains a big unknown – you can gather experiences in forums, but ultimately, the first child shows you what costs really arise. Sometimes more, sometimes less – a child is only limitedly predictable and calculable.

And the last comment was meant seriously: For someone without children, it's just very hard to imagine. Some really think, "Well, we’ll breastfeed through the first year, so it will only cost diapers and a few clothes."