[sgslo]

I'm not sure your story proves a whole lot.

By the way you phrase it, the outcome of the older sister hinged upon the husband failing to get a job as a pharmacist. If he had successfully landed a job, the outcome of your story would be very different.

The same argument could be made for the younger sister. What happens when Walmart downsizes, and the husband is out of job with a background only in retail?

I'm not sure it is worth citing or criticizing the 'prudence' of either couple.

[rhizome]

Plus, I'm under the impression that "can't get a job as a pharmacist" is a rare problem.

[sdegutis]

The first couple waited almost a decade to start having a family, and accrued $100k in debt.

The second couple had a family immediately, have no debt, and are otherwise in the exact same situation as the first couple.

And the couple that had children sooner, are younger and more energetic, and also have less stressful jobs that allow them to spend more time and better quality time with them.

Also there is a real value in having the mom stay at home full time where she can teach their children their own values and guard them from bad practices or influences at such an impressionable age.