@Jwolfe yes, typically emergency fund is 3-6 months of expenses, but talk it over with your wife and come to a sensible amount together. I agree on the student loan strategy. Get that out of your life ASAP. As far as the antenna, you might not need to mount it 15 feet above your roof. I have a cheap antenna I've been using for over a decade that just plugs into my TV and sits inside right next to the TV and picks up all the local channels for free (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS etc.) Try a cheap antenna first and see what channels it can pick up. You might have to do some positioning from time to time to get the signal clear but a small price to pay for free TV.
I like the 3 fund portfolio, simple and easy to stick with. I have a very similar strategy myself.
My point with the "no shortcuts" comment was that FI takes time, you have to stay patient. You are 33 years old so you've presumably only been working about 10 or 11 years assuming you took the typical path to college and then got a job. Making a 6 figure income helps but isn't required, it is all about the savings rate, as you know. Your expenses already seem pretty sensible for a family of 5 and your investment strategy is already good. That leaves increasing income as the main lever you can pull to speed things up. Can you focus on a side gig or get your wife interested in a part time job or a side gig as well? You shouldn't force this as she and you are busy raising 3 kids which is already a "full time job" and then some.
It sounds like you work as a public employee. Can't you add your wife and kids to your health insurance and cut down the $220 per month you're paying out of pocket for that? I pay 200 per month for a HDHP for a family of 4 through my private employer. I would assume as a public worker you could get something like that or even cheaper no?
For housing, you could also consider "house-hacking". This typically works better for people without kids but there are some families out there that do it. Basically you buy a duplex (or more) and rent out one unit and live in the other unit which can reduce your housing costs substantially. You need to run the numbers and figure out if it makes sense. You also have to deal with tenants and share your property though which, depending on the tenants, can range from fantastic to miserable but it's at least an option to discuss with your wife and see what she thinks. I'm in a similar situation as you in that housing is our biggest expense but my wife and I don't want to deal with tenant issues while we have young children in the house so you'll have to make your own decision on that, as with all of these suggestions.
Good luck. It's possible to reach FI on a less than 6 figure salary and with 3 kids, it just takes longer. Don't compare yourself to other people and feel bad about where you are. Of course you are better off than some people and worse off that others. That will always be true, just focus on what you can control and be patient.
