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"But really, how much money do you need? Is money going to make you happy? How many meals can you eat in a day? How many cars can you drive?"

House and decent education for kids is a major expense.

Most families manage with combined incomes less than senior software engineers. How big does the house need to be?

Yes and in the USA a lot of them are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.

Their kids typically don't get a decent education. Give me a location in a developed capital and a price bracket.

Get yourself a proper country.

Depending on your country, the price of education might not be much of a concern :)