Hey there - my dh is a tradie and we earn under 45k p/a. We live carefully but not frugally and enjoy life. It doesn't have to cost the earth to raise your children. Babies really cost nothing at all and by the time it gets to school time and bigger costs it all falls into place. As the younger children of a bigger family you don't need to rebuy nursery funiture, bikes, uniforms, etc. Lets be honest if we wanted to hold onto to our money and store it up nobody would have any children at all..?