Advice for the families

To close the gap between their income and their living expenses, Miriam needs to land a full-time job quickly, the planners say.

To increase her chances of landing a suitable position, Collamer, the career coach, advises Miriam to update her résumé, emphasizing her skills rather than her recent work experience.

"Don't shy away from being a mother," says Collamer. "Just don't put it at the top of a résumé or cover letter."

Then expand the job search online to include industry-specific job boards, as well as mega-job-listing sites like Monster.com, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn.

If interviewers ask about the three-year hiatus in her career, she should draw attention to her real-world experience during that time. For example, Miriam, who is looking for work as a professional recruiter, should point out how she was able to recruit volunteers for the nonprofits she worked with while she's been at home with the kids.

Lastly, Kauffman recommends that the Wrights give up the idea of sending their children to private school. "I don't know where the money would come from," the planner says. And given the quality of the schools in Wallingford, that expense at least seems entirely avoidable.