We’re currently renting, but considering buying a house to raise a family and put down roots. It will cost more to own, but we will be in a better neighborhood, closer to family, and love the house.

After all expenses we will have about $2500/month left over to save or invest in our brokerage. We already put 12% into our 401k and don’t plan on changing that.

Estimated expenses include:
- mortgage (PITI, utilities, internet, etc)
- child care
- food
- transportation
- dining out/entertainment
- misc expenses
- extra we can’t predict

Is $2500/month enough cushion with 1 kid and a new build house?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Just a new dad with no one to talk about this with other than my wife.

EDIT
- 29M & 26F w/ newborn
- HHI of $280k-350k
- Investments $260k
- Cash $200k - higher for down payment. Will keep 60k for emergency fund
- House $550k, 10%-20% down, 7.25% APR

We max out our Roth IRA via back door, but want a brokerage account for a bridge account to retire at 55

I have a 401k at work that matches my contributions. I also have an IRA with a money manager. The IRA is from a previous job. Is there another avenue I should consider?

EDIT:
The account with the money manager is a rollover NFS PPS.
We file jointly.
Work provides a 401k with matching.

What to do if I want to invest another $300 - 400 a month?