Money issues???

the schooling takes a big hunk, as does the car im sure.

20k a month with two kids, a car payment, and associated items isnt really that much to save if your schooling isnt paid for by the job imo

It's not ridiculous @fatsff1. Late realization is better than when it gets too late.

Use a spreadsheet and put numbers in bit thoughtful manner. What I mean is:
- Keep the sheet caculations monthly based.
- Put all expenditure *monthly* for example car installment that has to be paid start of every month and others like utilities etc.
- School fee is paid in bulk. Divide it down into a monthly number.
- The same must go for the housing.
- The rest of expenditure is what can be worked on.
- Add, subtract, give it some time and you'll know where exactly is the problem.

Based on all work done above, reach a reasonable number that must be your core saving/month. Lock & stick to this amount strictly. 5,000 SAR per month will mean 60,000 SAR/year. Is this a bad number as core savings?

Advice: Avoid any interest based expenditures (e.g. car on installment). They look easy but that's a huge deception.

Great advice from Legend with putting the expense down on a spreadsheet.

I began a similar record keeping plan a few months back. It is surprising, sad and scary to discover where all the money goes. But such an awareness seems to be a good first step to building a savings.

Good luck Fatsff1

If you are an andriod smart phone owner, i recommend using "Expense Manager" application to manage your income and expenses. It can be used to include daily/weekly/monthly recurring/repaeting expenses/incomes. Also you can take a pic of receipt and get payments alerts. Create a budget and other stuff...
If you want to track your financial stuff you must have this application...