Ha, like I would give you my personal information. Since you are a lost cause I'll just demonstrate to others how to look at it:
For Social Security, say I made $258,000 gross and I had $4,000 in pretax deductions and $18,000 in 401(k) leaving net income of $236,000. Half of which, $118,000 is subject to social security of 6.2% and all $236,000 is subject to Medicare of 1.45% for effective tax rate of 4.2% on gross income before Federal taxes.
Assume the full $236,000 is AGI. Now we look at personal and itemized deductions:
5 kids plus wife is 6 personal exemptions or a $24,300 deduction.
Mortgage and real estate taxes on two houses (principal residence and vacation home), donations, sales tax and property tax deductions add another $60,000.
Taxable income is $151,700 and tax is therefore ~$29,500 or 11.4% of gross income and a combined social security plus federal of 15.6% on gross income.
Now if I was single, then I would lose the $24,300 personal exemption and use the singles tax table. Nothing else changes. I calculate a combined tax of 20.6%, much higher but not horrible on gross income of $258,000.
So folks, don't look at your withholding and take home pay, you have to look at the final taxes you pay on your 1040. The current tax code gives a huge incentive for 401(k) and homeownership and that means expensive homes (pick homes with good appreciation potential).
And heck yeah, why not marry someone who wants to stay at home and raise kids.